A-League Matchweek 9 – Previews & Betting Tips

The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 9 of the 2020/21 A-League season.

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Friday, February 19

Adelaide United v Central Coast 7:05 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium View a detailed form guide for Adelaide v Central Coast

Adelaide’s latest result saw them thrashed 4-0 by the Bulls at Campbelltown Stadium. That was their 4^th defeat of the season from just 7 games played. They leaked a hat-trick to Derbyshire, as he scored goals against them in the 66^th, 73^rd and 89^th mins of the match, whilst Milligan also scored in the 83^rd min. Combined with that, the Reds owned just 34% possession of the ball and shot only 1/8 on target. The big question for them is, where do they head from here?

For the CCM, they claimed their 6^th win of the year from 8 attempts, as they cruised past the Nix 2-0 in Wollongong. It started of great for the away side, with Ball sent of in the 27^th min for what was a bad, bad, bad tackle attempt. Simon made use of that, scoring in the 40^th min, then Bozanic converted a spot-kick in the 50^th min, to help his side go back to the top of the ladder. Could ADL be in serious trouble against the league leaders?

When these sides last met, Adelaide prevailed 2-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium via goals from Blackwood (82^nd min) and Toure (84^th min). With that result long gone, it will take a lot for them to beat the Mariners in this clash. If your a Reds fan, I suggest taking shelter, because there’s an avalanche of damaging goals coming right your way.

Betting tips: Pick the Mariners to win at $2.75 (Unibet)

Also pick them to score first at $2.10 (Bet365)

 

Saturday, February 20

Western United v Macarthur FC 5:05 PM AEDT, Mars Stadium View a detailed form guide for Western United v Macarthur FC

W.U’s 3-2 defeat to the Mariners in Gosford was their latest contested clash. Despite scoring early on through Uskok in the 4^th min and then again with another strike courtesy of Berisha in the 42^nd min, it wasn’t enough to erase the damage of a Kuol double, as well as a Simon effort. They played a respectable game, owning 46% of the ball and shooting 4/9 on target. Despite all of that, this was their 2^nd defeat from 5 games played so far this campaign. How will they look to get Diamanti more involved against one of the league’s best sides?
Derbyshire scored his 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th goals of the season last matchweek against ADL out west, as Milligan also got in on the rout with an 83^rd min effort. With his side shooting 12/25 on target! And having 66% ownage of the ball, there wasn’t much the Reds could do to stop the thrashing. This was impressively their 4^th victory of the year and leaves them in 2^nd, while also just 4 points of 1^st. How will this high-octane offensive team go against another one?

Derbyshire is coming off of banging in 3 at home, while Berisha scored his sole goal of the season to date against the usually pretty defensively strong Mariners. These two Strikers are the absolute key’s to either sides fortunes for this clash. For the Bulls, they are so much better when Derbyshire is banging them in. And for Western United, at the moment they really need all the help they can get and someone as experienced as Berisha should really be doing better than that of what he currently is. It will be interesting to see how both men fare in this clash.

Betting tips: Pick the Bulls to win at $3.00 (Sportsbet)

Also pick Derbyshire to score anytime at $2.55 (Unibet)

 

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar 7:10 PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium View a detailed form guide for Sydney v Brisbane

Sydney were at the airport before they heard of Victoria’s short lockdown. So back they headed. However, things coulda turned very ugly for the Sky Blues had they not gotten the news. However, what wasn’t ugly was Barbarouses bagging a double against his old side Wellington out at Kogarah last week, as his side claimed a tight 2-1 win. It was their 3^rd of the season from 5 games, as they again appear to be one of the sides to beat.

For Brisbane, Danazki was incredibly unlucky as he had 2 potential goals ruled out for offside in his sides 0-0 draw with Newcastle at Dolphin Stadium. However, the Roar were also pretty lucky when Valentino Yuel’s fine individual effort got smacked of the post, instead of being picked up by Jamie Young from the inside of the net. The Roar were strong completing 80% of their passes, good for 439/552. The result has left them in 3^rd spot on the A-League ladder.

Bobo? Bobo? Bobo? Could he finally be in line to return for Sydney in this clash? Even if it is perhaps just a cameo appearance of the bench. Fingers crossed. In his last season in AUS, he scored 27 and had 6 assists from just 28 games. The man is a goal-scoring machine. Hopefully, we will get to perhaps see glimpses of that in this affair.

Betting tips: Pick Sydney to be victorious at $2.20 (Unibet, Sportsbet)

Also pick them to score first at $1.72 (Bet365)

 

Perth Glory v Melbourne City 9:20 PM AEDT, HBF Park View a detailed form guide for Perth v Melbourne City

It was Fornaroli who scored first in the 73^rd min and then a Timotheou OG that won it for Perth in the 83^rd minute vs Adelaide in Adelaide. It was a much-needed win for Perth, one that was their 3^rd from 5 attempts. However, it was the trash talk between Kilkenny and Mauk that really made the game into what it was. Without giving too much away, Kilkenny suggested that perhaps Mauk should ‘write it in his dairy’, referencing Mauk’s branded sports diaries that he sells to athletes all around the world. I would highly suggest that if you want a laugh, you look it up.

City are quite literally at the moment all money and no talk. They need to switch up something against the Glory otherwise this game could get quite ugly, quite quickly. Their latest clash was a 1-0 loss to the Jets in the Hunter Valley. That says just about all you need to know in reference to their 3-match losing streak so far. They had 11 shots against the Jets, but were unable to register a goal, OUCH!

Both teams have overpaid, under performing players. The harsh reality of this game is that one coach could walk away with his job intact and the other could be sacked the next day. Both teams need a W badly and will be doing everything in their power possible to ascertain it. Even if the players don’t care, they might wanna turn up and play properly for well you know, their damn coaches.

Betting tips: Pick there to be at least a goal in each half at $1.60 (Unibet)

Also pick Maclaren to score anytime at $2.12 (Unibet)

 

Sunday, February 21

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets 4:05 PM AEDT, AAMI Park View a detailed form guide for Melbourne Victory v Newcastle

The Victory have lost 4/6 this campaign and are in 12^th and last place on just 4 competition points. Their latest game saw the Wanderers pile it on them, as they went down 2-0 in what was a meek effort in Parramatta. They gave up goals in the 72^nd and 88^th minutes of the game. That while they themselves only shot 3/9 on target. They also gave up 14 fouls along with 2 yellows. Suffice to say the veterans are not performing for them. Perhaps it’s time to give the younger generation such as Ben Folami and Jay Barnett more game-time? If not Brebner could be out of his job sooner rather than later.

The Jets aren’t doing half-bad at the moment as they currently occupy 7^th spot. They’ve got 2 wins so far, as well as 2 draws, as they’ve improved their GD to be only -2 now. Last time out at Redcliffe, they claimed a point in a tough 0-0 draw with the Roar. They had a bit of luck on their side however, as Danzaki twice had goals ruled out due to offside. However, Yuel was also a tad unlucky as well, with the wind bringing his shot to thump of the post instead of the back of the net where it would’ve normally gone in less chaotic conditions. They only shot 1/10 but somehow got a point. You weirdly have to admire that.

Not nearly enough is being said about Jack Duncan and what he’s doing in-between the sticks for the Jets this campaign, because he’s been simply phenomenal! In 5 games he’s conceded just a goal or less. While he’s kept 2 clean sheets and is averaging just under 3 saves per match (2.88) in the process. He’s also made 7 saves from outside the box and has completed 104 accurate passes on the season to date. I’m gonna pretty comfortably say he can add to that 1 or less tally in this affair.

Betting tips: Pick the Jets to win at $2.85 (Unibet)

Also pick Newcastle to score last at $2.05 (Bet365)

 

Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney 6:10 PM AEDT, WIN Stadium View a detailed form guide for Wellington v Western Sydney

You just gotta feel bad for the Nix at this point. Not allowed to play at home cause of NZ’s strict COVID policies/rules, they’re spending the season based in the ‘Gong’ instead. And it’s all been going terribly wrong for them. In 11^th place, they’ve been victorious in just 1/6 so far. Last time out it was a 2-goal defeat in the previously mentioned ‘Gong’ to the rampant Mariners. With Ball seeing red for a pretty horrendous tackle in the 27^th min, that was their hopes of 3-points or pretty much even a point gone just like that, down the drain. Whilst one of the strikes they conceded was also a spot-kick, :0. All-in-all, they shot just 1/7 on a target and leaked 12 fouls. Suffice to say it wasn’t the best possible performance from them.

WSW meanwhile pumped the Victory to the tune of a 2-0 score-line. With Dorrans scoring first in the 72^nd min and Yeboah backing him up in the 88^th min, the Red & Black secured their 3^rd victory of the year in Parramatta and are now in 4^th spot. With 53% ownage of the ball, they shot 3/13 on target, + they had a shot hit the woodwork. While they also completed a great 85% of their passes, good for 452/532. What a match this was from them!

When these sides last met, the Wanderers just prevailed 1-0 at Bankwest Stadium. The games only goal came courtesy of Kwame Yeboah in the 73^rd min. This affair feels like it has similar vibes to it. WSW will probably win, but not by a lot, and the margin will probably be by 2 goals at the absolute maximum. Good to watch? Sure. But will there be other better games to watch this round. Absolutely yes!!!

Betting tips: Pick WSW to win at $2.80 (Sportsbet)

Also pick H2 to be the highest scoring one at $1.95 (Bet365)

 

Tuesday, February 23

Melbourne City v Sydney FC 7:05 PM AEDT, AAMI Park View a detailed form guide for Melbourne City v Sydney

Through 12 combined matches this season, Maclaren and Noone have to their name a meagre 4 goals and 2 assists. That’s good for just 1 goal contribution every 2 games! Not good enough! They’re playing like a bunch of pelicans when they need to be playing more like tigers. I know that their relatively in-experienced manager is also to blame, as are some of the other lads. But these two get paid good money to perform and they’re simply not, full stop! Against the best team in the country, here is their chance to show what they’re made of! Can they live up to the expectations, well we’ll see this in clash, won’t we?

When these sides last met, we all know what happened don’t we? Ryan Grant provided the 100^th minute clutch winner to deliver the Sky Blues yet another A-League Championship in front of a COVID reduced crowd at Parramatta. Sydney shot 10/15 on target that match and City 8/20. I think it’s safe to say we can expect a similarly thrilling clash right here, especially so if City can get their act together in time for this one. But they’ll be up for it, I know that much.

Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at odds of $1.45 or more when they become available

Also pick Barbarouses to score at odds of $1.50 or more when they become available 

 

Wednesday, February 24

Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix 7:05 PM AEDT, AAMI Park View a detailed form guide for Melbourne Victory v Wellington

Being completely honest and real here, the Victory are trash at the moment. Ever since Sydney thrashed them 6-1 in that now infamous semi-final at Kogarah, they’ve been scared! They’ve been lifeless! And they’ve been spineless!

Gestede’s supposed to be the marquee attacker, he’s got 0 goals and just 1 shot assist this season. Kambosa’s been equally as deploarable with 0 goals and 0 assists. Kruse, he must be doing alright given his pedigree in AUS Football, right? Nope. He’s also got 0 goals and 0 shot assists. Through 6 games played, MEL have a horrible GD of -7. They need to get out of this rut very, very quickly otherwise they’re in for another rough year.

I mean in reality this clash is just a battle of the Wooden Spoon candidates isn’t it? Could this game perhaps provide an early glimpse of who that will be?

When these sides last met, the Nix won 3-0. Ball scored a goal, but he’s suspended. Hooper also scored, but he’s off in India. Davila scored, he’s probably been the only real consistent attacking threat from either side this season. So, based of that, expect him to make his presence felt in this affair.

Betting tips: Pick both teams to score at odds of $1.40 or more when they become available

Also pick a goal to be scored in each half at odds of $1.45 or more when they become available

 

Adelaide United v Western United 7:05 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium View a detailed form guide for Adelaide v Western United

What on earth are the Reds doing??? 2 Wins from 7 games so far and with a GD of -6. Their losing scores during that span have seen them lose 4/5 and go down 4-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 5-3. They are a long way from that Tommy Juric inspired 2-0 victory over City on the 3^rd of JAN this year. A long way away from that indeed! What could’ve possibly have gone wrong for them since has and probably will continue too for a while. They need to get Goodwin back ASAP, because at this rate he’s the only player that might be able to change their fortunes. And that’s a pretty damn big MIGHT!

It’s quite hard to tell you the amazing readers what to expect from this one. ADL might turn up and be on fire, or they could be a complete dumpster fire, either or. While for Mark Rudan’s side, they could do great, or they could do terribly. We all know how maddeningly inconsistent they’ve been this campaign. When you look at these two sides last game between one another it was a pretty boring nil-all draw. The two sides combined for just 7 on-shot targets throughout. Expect some similarly boring stuff dished out right here. Don’t have high hopes for this one and neither should you.

Betting tips: Pick Western United to be victorious at odds of $1.90 or more when they become available

Also pick Berisha to score anytime against them at odds of $2.15 or more when they become available

 

Best Bets of the Round

Pick Simon to score anytime vs Adelaide at $2.55 (Unibet)

Also pick H2 of Sydney vs Brisbane to be the highest scoring one at $2.00 (Bet365)