The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 13 of the 2020/21 A-League season.
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Friday, March 19
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Western Sydney v Perth Glory7:05 PM AEDT, Bankwest Stadium |
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The Wanderers most recent clash was a tightly fought 4-3 victory over the Nix at Parramatta. It was a great result and a great game which has now left them with a Top Two position. For the Glory, they came away from Gosford with a point via their 2-2 draw with the Mariners. They may be in 9th place on the ladder, but they are also only two wins of 2nd place. Western Sydney produced their goals via Wilmering (23rd min), Mutch (52nd min), Duke (65th min) and the right-footed shot winner from Yeboah (84th min). They shot 7/22 on target with 48% possession of the ball. For Perth their goals came courtesy of Fornaroli (41st min) and D’Agostino (76th min). They were unlucky to give up the 86th minute spotkick, as they also owned 54% possession of the ball and shot 3/8 on target.
When these two teams last faced off, it was the Glory who posted a 3-1 victory in Parramatta. The goals came via Franjic, Killkenny and Meredith for the Glory. But with the form Western Sydney are in at the moment, expect them to reverse the result in a clash that should produce a lot of goals. When you asses WSW, they have Duke. He’s scored 2 goals from just 5 clashes this season. Cox is also there up front and despite him having only scored one this season, he is very experienced. That means he’s more likely to bounce back soon then not. Ibini is also in some vintage form at the moment, as he has a goal and 10 shot assists this campaign. Kamau has looked promising with 2 goals from 9 games, averaging only 25 mins per game. While there is still Yeboah and others as well. With the threats they have and the ease in which they produced their goals vs Wellington, they’re getting the win here.
Betting tips: Pick WSW to win at $2.30 (Bet365, BlueBet, Sportsbet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.72 (Bet365)
Saturday, March 20
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Macarthur FC v Western United5:05 PM AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium |
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The Bulls have now gone from 2nd all the way to 6th after their damaging 3-0 defeat to City at AAMI Park. A double to Maclaren and one to Noone inflicted a whole lot of pain on the away side. They also owned 50% of the ball and shot just 2/12 on target. On a slightly more optimistic and bright side for them though, they are just two points of 2nd place, such is the tightness of the A-League at the moment. As for Western United, they claimed a much needed 1-0 victory over Brisbane at AAMI Park. After an assist from Diamanti, Pierias put in a great header to claim the goal. That result has left them in 8th spot and on 14 points. They are however just a win off 6th placed Macarthur. There is a lot on the line for both sides in this exciting match-up.
As mentioned, both sides are in desperate need of a win here and both sides have also been maddeningly inconsistent this campaign. For the Bulls, they’e posted a 3-0 win over Sydney, but also gone down 3-0 to City. While for W.U., they’ve beaten the Bulls earlier on in the campaign 4-1. But they also lost 2-0 to Sydney. Both sides need to be able to use this match to regain some of the amazing form that they’ve displayed in some prior matches this season. When they whooped Macarthur 4-1, Berisha scored twice. He’s scored 5 times this season and also has an assist from 10 games played. How he compares up against Derbyshire who has 7 strikes, will go a long way to defining the outcome of the game. Both players love a goal and both are very experienced. That will help make it a fun encounter to watch.
Betting tips: Pick W.U. to win at $3.50 (Unibet)
Also pick them to score first at $2.37 (Bet365)
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Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory7:10 PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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Sydney are in 5th. Melbourne are in 12th. Sydney’s form is getting progressively better. Melbourne’s form is getting worse. Corica’s seat is getting colder. Brebnder’s seat is getting hotter. These two sides are displaying complete opposite form at the moment. Sydney head into this clash off the back of a 2-1 win over Newcastle in Kogarah. For Melbourne, they went down 3-1 to Adelaide in Melbourne. The Sky Blues strikes came from Ninkovic in the 64th minute and the late winner and first goal in a decade for Wilkinson in the 80th minute. While for the Victory, their sole goal came from a stunning Brimmer free-kick in the 28th minute. Sydney completed 84% and Melbourne 79% of their passes. Those were good for 302/358 and 308/391 respectively.
In 2019, May 12, at Jubilee Stadium, Sydney smashed the Victory 6-1 in what was a truly damaging Semi Final game for Melbourne. Muscat left the club shortly after that. Whilst it was also the final matches for both Toivonen and Barbarouses for the Victorian-based side. Adam Le Fondre bagged two goals that evening for the home side. He may have left for India, but Bobo’s here and he loves a goal-feast against the Victory. While Melbourne are arguably worse now then that of what they were in that match. Expect Bobo to be fairly influential in what should be a heavy Derby win to Sydney. And as per usual, Barbarouses might have a point or two to prove against the side whom he scored 42 goals for. With those two in tow, Sydney FC are going to be mighty hard to stop.
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at $1.64 (Unibet)
Also pick Bobo to score anytime at $1.80 (Bet365)
Sunday, March 21
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Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar4:05 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Wellington’s latest match was a hard loss to swallow as they left Bankwest Stadium with no points after they went down 4-3 to the Wanderers. For Brisbane they also left with a defeat, after they lost 1-0 to Western United. The Nix may be in 10th on the ladder with 11 points, but they also sit just two wins of a Top 6 spot. For the Roar, in 7th place on 15 points, they are only 4 points off 2nd. A stunning Devlin strike from 30-yards out was a top-notch goal from Wellington on the 32 minute mark. That came either side of a 7th minute Davila strike and a 64th minute Hemed goal. For the Roar they may have had no goals, but they still shot a very encouraging 9/17 on target. The Nix completed 80% of their passes and the Roar 79%. Those were good for 465/556 and 345/438 respectively.
How do you honestly say what’s going to happen here? One moment the Nix are in the finals and the next they’re struggling to get into a Top 6 spot and losing high-scoring clashes to the likes of WSW. For Brisbane, they were great in the early stages of the season and now they’re bang average. Both sides have quality managers in the form of Talay and Moon respectively, however those two fellas need to do a better job of squeezing out a better week-in week-out effort from their lads. Ultimately though Wellington win it here becuase of their more often than not stingy defence. Yes they may have leaked in four to the Wanderers. But prior to that they kept the Glory, Jets and Victory all to zero in three straight match-ups. It’ll be close, but that’s what scrapes the Nix through with the win here.
Betting tips: Pick the Nix to win at $2.55 (Bet365)
Also pick both teams to score at $1.57 (Bet365)
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Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United6:10 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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The Jets are currently in 11th and the Reds 3rd. Newcastle have just 3 wins from 12 games, that while Adelaide have 6 from 11. Adelaide are two victories off top spot and Newcastle are two wins off the Top 6. Both sides have a lot to play for in this clash and hopefully they both leave it all out on the field come Sunday evening. Prso opened the scoring against Sydney in their 2-1 defeat at Jubilee Stadium, as he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net after a horror Redmayne mistake. For Adelaide they were by far the better side in their 3-1 thrashing of the Victory at Marvel Stadium. Mauk scored twice in the 35th and 77th minutes. And when Yengi scored in the 61st minute, he ran over to the Victory supporters section and celebrated in front of them. As an Adelaide boy, he knows what the rivalry against the Victory means and he lived in the moment. The Jets shot 4/10 on target with 57% possession of the ball. And the Reds shot 6/11 on target with 55% possession of the ball.
These two sides only met eleven days ago at Hindmarsh Stadium. There the Jets came away with a closely fought 2-1 win. And a lot of their win was down to the Jets poor mistakes in defence. Particularly so when you look at Goodwin’s 77th minute winner, he got it because he picked the ball from the Jets defender as he was being way too careless with it. Newcastle also shot just 1/11 on target in that match! They cannot be nearly that shocking again in this one and will have more likely than not learnt their lesson. For example in their most recent one-goal loss to Sydney, they still went a half-decent 4/10 on target. It’ll be a big ask for them to beat the resurgent Reds in this one, but if they can get their attack together, then they’ll be in with a half chance. And a win would be absolutely massive in the context of their season right now wouldn’t it?
Betting tips: Pick the Reds to be victorious at $3.30 (Bet365)
Also pick Juric to score anytime at $2.87 (Bet365)
Monday, March 22
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Melbourne City v Central Coast7:05 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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For City their latest game was a strong and commanding 3-0 victory over Macarthur at AAMI Park. For the Mariners they drew 2-2 with Perth in Gosford. Melbourne are in 4th at the moment on 18 points, just one off 2nd. While for the Central Coast they are still flying high in 1st on 25 points. They have 8 wins and a draw from just 12 games played so far. Melbourne’s strikes came via a quick-fire Maclaren double in the 23rd and 25th minutes of the match + one to Noone in the 35th minute. As for the Central Coast, their strikes were produced by Urena in the 25th minute and then through a clutch Simon spot-kick in the 90th minute which sent the crowd into delirium and evened things up. City shot 4/17 on target with 50% ownage of the ball and the Mariners shot 7/15 on target with 46% ownage of the ball. They also had a shot come off the woodwork.
When these two sides last faced off in Gosford, it was ultimately an 80th minute De Silva winner that claimed all three points for the home side late on in what was a 3-2 win. Before that it was also a 4-2 win to City at Bluetongue Stadium. So in total eleven goals have been scored over these two sides past two clashes against each other. And four and five and three were scored in the three games prior to that. Following that trend, it’s pretty safe to say that this one will produce it’s fair share of goals as well. That becomes even more true when you consider that City have scored 14 goals over their past 4 games. And only two matches ago clipped the Victory for 6. Then for the Mariners, they scored 2 goals each time over their past 5 games. And in the two games prior to that, they scored 3 goals each time. It’s gonna be good here!
Betting tips: Pick both teams to score at $1.66 (Bet365)
Also pick Maclaren to score anytime at $1.70 (Unibet)
Wednesday, March 24
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Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory7:05 PM AEDT, WIN Stadium |
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When you analyse these two sides past history against one another, 5 of the last 8 games have been thoroughly exciting draws. From newest to oldest they’ve been 0-0, 1-1, 1-1, 3-3 and 1-1. Who could forget that 3-3 clash played roughly two years ago in Melbourne? Toivonen scored in just the 5th min, before Williams scored two mins later. Then Krishna proceeded to score twice in eight minutes, 20-28th. Then Troisi pegged it back to one in the 56th minute. And finally Toivonen capped off the amazing evening with the late and sturdy 88th minute equalizer.
When your analyzing players for this clash, you cannot beat ex Chelsea FC attacker Davila. From only 11 games this season, he has 4 goals and 30 shot assists. While one of his goals came against the reigning Champs. He always turns up big when his side needs him too and that’s been on display all campaign long. He also has a passing completion rate of a great 80%. That is good for 328 passes. Not to mention he’s also won 56% of his tackles (9/16). What can’t this man do? And the Victory will come into this game fired up and wanting to change the state of the club, so they’ll have their fair amount of shots. It’s up to Davila to be able to counter that and help create those great attacking opportunities for the Nix.
Betting tips: Pick Wellington to win at odds of $1.50 or more when they become available.
Also pick them to score first at odds of $1.20 or more when they become available.
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Perth Glory v Sydney FC9:20 PM AEDT, HBF Park |
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Sydney have won 14 of the last 16 games played between these two sides and no that is not a joke! Those winning scores have been 2-0, 3-1, 0 (4) 0 (1), 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-0, 4-1, 4-1, 2-0 and 4-0. That 6-0 victory stands out as a simply superb one from the Sky Blues. In 2017 at the SFS they blasted the Glory to bits. O’Neil scored first in the 21st min, before Mierzejewski had one in the 58th min. And Brosque scored just four minutes after him. Then Bobo scored X3 in the 67th, 90th and 95th mins to complete the utterly dominating route. They shot an insane 16/17 on target that day, with a shot also hitting the woodwork. While they kept Perth at bay with just 2 of their 14 shots landing on target. Sydney also conceded no yellows while Perth leaked two.
Ninkooooo! He bagged a great solo goal against Newcastle at Jubilee Stadium last Saturday afternoon/evening in his sides tight victory. And on the campaign he has 3 goals and 16 shot assists. Besides Diamanti it’s safe to say he’s the best Midfielder in the A-League and he is simply relentless despite his age (36). The Serbian never gives up in attack or defence and has impressively won 13/17 tackles this year to help display that. That while he’s also won 75/126 duels and has completed 88% of his attempted passes. That being good for 358. Averaging 78 minutes per game, he’s still extremely durable. He loves playing against Perth and should no doubt boss them around in this one.
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at odds of $1.39 or more when they become available.
Also pick Sydney to score last at odds of $1.20 or more when they become available.
Best Bets of the Round
Pick Fornaroli to score anytime vs the Wanderers at $2.20 (Unibet)
Also pick Berisha to score anytime vs the Bulls at $2.33 (Unibet)