The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 2 of the 2020/21 A-League season.
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Saturday, January 2
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Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC5:05 PM AEDT, WIN Stadium |
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Past History- Sydney have quite a dominant recent history against Wellington, having won 9 of their past 12 contested clashes against them. And most recently, they posted a 2-goal (3-1) victory over them in Kogarah. Piscopo scored first for the away-side in the 66th min, however Le Fondre got things back on even terms just 10 mins later. Buhagiar then put the Sky Blues ahead in the 88th minute, whilst he bagged his second just 2 minutes after his first. They owned 51% of the ball, and the Nix were at 49%. Sydney also shot 7/15 on target, whilst the Nix were at just 2/13. Sydney completed 86% of their passes, and Wellington 85%. Good for 402/467 and 378/445 respectively. Prior to that, it was an even 2-2 draw at Westpac Stadium. For the Nix, Piscopo scored in the 25th min and Davila in the 37th. And for Sydney, Le Fondre scored in the 14th min, whilst there was also a Taylor OG in the 56th min. Wellington leaked 10 fouls and 1 yellow in that affair. While the Sky Blues were at 15 and 3. Before that, it was a 2-1 victory to Sydney at Leichardt Oval. O’Neil and Grant were their goal-scorers that day.
What Should Happen- This game due to the re-shuffled nature of the A-League currently, represents both sides first games of the new campaign. And Sydney will be much, much better prepared for it then that of what the Nix will be. It wasn’t that long ago that Sydney were competing in the ACL, so this is somewhat like a continuation of the season for them. Whilst for Wellington, they may prove to be a lil rusty. Especially so with new signings such as Hemed and Ridenton having to find their feet. That, combined with Sydney’s classy back-line, featuring Socceroos such as Ryan Grant and Andrew Redmayne should ultimately prove to be the difference in what will no doubt be an exciting encounter.
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at $2.25 (UniBet, BlueBet, Bet365)
Also pick the 2nd half to be the highest scoring one at $2.00 (Bet365)
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Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar7:10 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Past History- Melbourne have won 8 of their last 12 games that they’ve contested against the Roar. And part of those eight matches was their crazy 5-0 win in 2019. In that hectic clash, Barbarouses scored 3X and Toivonen, + Roux 1X each. That was played in Brisbane. However, most recently at Bankwest Stadium, the Roar came away with a tightly contested 2-1 victory. McDonald opened the scoring in the 56th min of the match, while Ridenton also got one in the 78th min. And Nabbout scored a late consolation goal for Melbourne in the 86th min. The Roar owned 45% of the ball and the Victory 55%. The Roar also shot 5/15 on target, while the Victory were at 4/18. They also had a shot come of the post. And Brisbane completed 81% of their passes, something which was good for 336/414. And the Victory were at 85%, something which was good for 451/530. Before that match, the Victory were victorious 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium. Nabbout scored the games only goal in the 19th min. And even more impressive, was that they got the win with just 34% possession of the ball. The Roar leaked 16 fouls and 3 yellows that match. Melbourne were at 13 and 4 respectively.
What Should Happen- These two Queensland based teams never fail to disappoint us. And another show should be put on right here. Brisbane showed what they were capable of last round, as they pushed City in their closely contested defeat. Whilst for the Victory, they’re also coming in of quite good form, having made RD16 in the recently ended ACL campaign. But ultimately this match should come down to the battle of the Forwards between ex-Middlesbrough man Gestede and former-Celtic player McDonald. Gestede will be attempting to play his way into form, after just 8 games and 1 goal in the Championship last season. Whilst for McDonald he had just 1 shot last match, gave away a foul and won only 1/3 duels. So he to will be attempting to play his way back into form. With these two classy, experienced players going at it, it should make for a memorable battle and in-turn, a memorable game.
Betting tips: Pick Melbourne to prove to be victorious in what should be a thrilling clash at $2.30 (Bet365, Sportsbet)
Also pick both teams to score at least once each at $1.73 (UniBet)
Sunday, January 3
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Macarthur FC v Central Coast4:05 PM AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium |
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Past History- These two teams have yet to face off, so as a result, they do not have a history against one another. However, looking back at the Mariners past three games of last campaign, they have a fair bit to show of for this clash. Their most recent game was a jubilant 3-2 victory over the Victory in Kogarah. Prior to that, they drew 1-1 with the Wanderers, as well as 0-0 with the Jets in the F3 Derby, both at Gosford. In their win against the Victory, they leaked goals in the 22nd and 65th mins, via a Rojas double. But Fox got one for them in the 45th min, whilst they stole the victory with quick, late goals from Ruiz-Diaz in the 85th and 89th mins of the simply thrilling clash. With 51% of the ball, they shot 7/17 on target, along with a shot of the woodwork. In the Wanderers clash, they opened the scoring through Djuric in the 59th min of the game. That was before they conceded a late 89th min equalizer to Cox. They shot 7/16 on target that match, along with a shot hitting the woodwork. And in the F3 Derby, they gave up 9 fouls and 4 yellows. Whilst for the Jets those numbers were 14 and 2.
What Should Happen- A free-flowing, attacking orientated game. For Macathur, it’s early days for them and in their inaugural home game, they’ll certainly want to put on a show for their fans. Whilst from the Mariners last five games of the last campaign, they scored 6 goals. This attacking theory becomes especially more prevalent when you look at the likes of Benat (21 goals in La Liga), Popovic (Ex-Aus U’23s international), Milligan (6 goals for Australia) and Susaeta (38 goals for Athletic Bilbao) all repping the Bulls. Then when it comes to the Mariners you have players such as Simon (59 goals in total for them), Ruiz-Diaz (two goals, including the winner, in their final match against the Victory), Silvera (ex-AUS U23’s international) and Janota (10 goals from 32 games in his second most recent stint at Arka Gdynia). This match is sure to be a good one! If you can Macarhur fans, get to this clash!
Betting tips: Pick Macarthur to win this clash at $1.80 (BlueBet, Bet365)
Also pick Derbyshire to score at anytime throughout the match for the Bulls at $2.20 (Bet365)
And pick Simon to do the same for the Central Coast at $3.20 (Bet365)
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Adelaide United v Melbourne City6:05 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Past History- Adelaide have won 3 of the last 5 games played between these two sides. The others were a draw, as well as a City victory. Most recently however, these two sides played out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw in Homebush, at ANZ Stadium. Luna and Maclaren had City sitting on a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime. However, come the 79th min, Opseth brought back a glimmer of hope to the Reds. And Halloran scored the awesome late equalizer in the 91st min. Helping Adelaide’s chances in this one, was the fact that Noone was shown a red card in the 67th min, leaving City a man down for a bit over the remaining 20 minutes of the match. City had 36% of the ball, going 2/9 on target, with a shot coming of the woodwork. While for Adelaide with 64% of the ball, they shot 6/30 on target! Yep, they had 30 shots at City’s goals! What a stat! Prior to that, it was a 3-1 win to Adelaide at Hindmarsh. Halloran had a double in the 12th and 41st mins, while Blackwood also got one in the 47th. And for City, Noone had one in the 16th min. And Delbridge was shown red in the 76th min, in a rather sour moment for City. And before that, also at Hindmarsh, Adelaide routed Melbourne. This came across in a commanding 4-0 victory.
What Should Happen- A City victory. In their last-round win over Brisbane, they showed all their poise and class, in a tight 1-0 win. They know how to make the difference when it matters the most. And when you look at their starting side that featured against the Roar, they just simply ooze class all over the park. They played ‘Macca’ up front, with both Noone and Nabbout in the middle. And in the left-back position was Jaimeson, with Glover in goals as well. And for Adelaide, generally speaking they lack a fair bit of this with the youthfulness about their squad. When it matters the most and when they need to, City will have all that they need to attack the Reds with. Expect at least a 2-goal or better victory from the new best team in Melbourne.
Betting tips: Pick Melbourne to win at $2.40 (Bet365)
Also pick them to produce the games last goal at $1.72 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the Round
Pick Maclaren to strike anytime vs Adelaide at $1.83 (Bet365)
And also pick the Bulls to score first against the Mariners at $1.50 (Bet365)