The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 20 of the 2020/21 A-League season.
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Thursday, May 6
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Melbourne Victory v Macarthur FC7:05 PM AEST, AAMI Park |
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The Victory and the Bulls have never met before meaning this will be one exciting first encounter. For the home side their past two results have been an exceptional 5-4 win over the Wanderers and then a 1-1 draw with the Mariners. And it made it even better that on both occasions Melbourne fans were able to witness the positive results with Marvel Stadium, then AAMI Park hosting the two respective clashes. These two games have allowed the Victory to move into 11th place as they appear to be building for the future with one eye already towards next season. As for the away side their latest clash was a 0-0 draw with Perth at NIB Stadium. They shot 5/13 on target but in the end it wasn’t enough to get all three points. This as a result sees them sitting precariously in 5th spot on 29 points currently, as four teams are now placed just three or less points behind them. Will the Bulls take one step closer to securing a finals berth in their maiden season or will the Victory play the role of the party spoilers?
The Bulls have won 50% of their 10 road games this season. While the Victory in Melbourne have won 3 of 10 home games and have leaked a significant league worst 26 goals in front of their own fans. Given a win here for Macarthur would push them up to equal second they should claim the victory here. But don’t expect it to be all easy pickings for them, Melbourne since the sacking of Grant Brebner appear to have had some life breathed into them so they definitely won’t make it easy for the side from Campbelltown.
Betting tips: Pick the Bulls to be victorious at $2.05 (Bet365)
Also pick them to score first at $1.66 (Bet365)
And pick both teams to score at $1.53 (Bet365)
Friday, May 7
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Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix7:35 PM AEST, Coopers Stadium |
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Despite the Reds being in 4th position and the Nix in 9th spot there is a just a five-point difference between the two teams. Adelaide are on nine wins and Wellington seven. But one massive difference between the two sides is that Adelaide have won 6/9 at home this campaign, while the New Zealander’s have won just 4/11 on the road on the season. And it was only in 2019 at home when the Reds came away with a commanding 3-1 victory courtesy of a Stamatelopoulos double (17th and 44th minutes). While adding to the crazy insanity of that clash was him receiving a red card just three minutes after his second goal. And most recently this season in Woolongong it was the Nix who came away from their ‘home away from home’ with a late 2-1 win after Hemed calmly converted the 97th minute spot-kick attempt. Previously the match had seen Mauk – 51st minute and Waine – 58th minute score within a thrilling eight-minute second-half period. Will Adelaide conjure up their home magic or do Wellington again have something up their own sleeves?
Away from home this season Wellington have a three-three-three record. Whilst they’ve scored only 13, but also conceded only 12, while the Reds in comparison are very commanding at their stomping ground. Despite everything that’s happened this season Adelaide still somehow remain in contention for 1st place and that’s to be commended. And with revenge on their mind for the last time they met (previously talked about above), combined with playing at home, they should squeak by with a tightly contested victory here.
Betting tips: Pick Adelaide to win at $2.10 (Bet365)
Also pick them to open the scoring at $1.66 (Bet365)
And pick both teams to score in the 2nd half at $2.70 (Unibet)
Saturday, May 8
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Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC5:05 PM AEST, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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The Jets have won two of their past four contested clashes vs the Sky Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium. The last of those came on April 27, 2019, when they prevailed 2-0 after strong efforts by Kantarovski (41st minute) and then D. Petratos (52nd minute). They shot 5/11 on target that match and owned 47% possession of the ball. And the fact that they managed to keep Sydney to zilch was extremely impressive considering they shot 10/23 on target and owned 53% of the ball. Moving onto this season, it was efforts from Ninkovic and then Wilkinson in the second-half that saw Sydney come away with a tightly contested 2-1 victory at Jubilee Stadium. And given Newcastle are hosting the match, while both sides are displaying some shoddy form as of late, it’s difficult to say who will win this game. For Newcastle O’Donovan has to step up to the plate big time. The key Striker has just five goals this season from 19 games for the Jets. Whilst Bobo for Sydney is their guy here up in the Hunter Valley. He’ll be looking to strongly redeem himself here given his costly penalty miss in his sides 3-2 loss to the Wanderers last weekend in Parramatta. Do the Jets have what it takes here or will Sydney take some pressure off themselves with a big win?
The Sky Blues have obtained only six points from their previous five games and there’s still the rare chance that they could drop out of the Top Six entirely. If there was ever a chance for the Jets to claim the kill over a wounded finals aspiring side then here’s their chance, but they’ll need all the boys on deck in order to do so properly. In their last game at home they took the early lead against the Victory and were fired up early, they need a similar aggression here against Sydney in order to be within a chance of the win.
Betting tips: Pick both teams to feature on the score-sheet at $1.57 (Bet365)
Also pick Newcastle to score the games last goal at $2.60 (Bet365)
And pick there to be a goal in each half at $1.49 (Unibet)
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Western Sydney v Western United7:10 PM AEST, Bankwest Stadium |
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Kudos to the Wanderers for their last game! Playing at Bankwest Stadium in front of over 20,000 spectators and on the verge of their season taking a massive KO from their biggest rivals, they turned up when it mattered the most to beat Sydney 3-2 and keep their campaign alive. Carl Robinson the Red & Blacks head coach couldn’t keep the smile off his face and rightfully so, it was a huge and well-deserved win for the home side and one which sees them now only three points off 3rd spot. Their goals were produced via Kamau (12th minute), Duke only four minutes later as he ecstatically celebrated in front of the travelling Cove and then a late (74th minute) effort via new boy McDonald as he endeared himself very well to the home supporters. While for W.U. they are in the Top Six but they could’ve been further entrenched within it had VAR not screwed them over multiple times during their nil-all draw against Adelaide. They were denied multiple key goals wrongly and rightfully so multiple W.U. took to social media to express their frustration post-match. And another element to this heated clash was when Sanchez sent of in the 36th minute for the Green & Black, while Toure also saw red for the Reds in the 94th minute. Each side has some commanding form headed into this one so who will come out on top?
Western United have won just 2/8 on the road this season and have leaked 15 goals in total at other teams venues. So safe to say Mark Rudan will be well aware of all of that and will be working actively and hard in order to ensure that it doesn’t harm them in this crucial match-up against the Wanderers. However with the Red & Black having won four of 10 from home this season, + two draws as well, that might be easier said then done for the visitors.
Betting tips: Pick Western Sydney to win at $2.20 (Unibet)
Also pick them to open the scoring at $1.72 (Bet365)
And pick the games highest scoring half to be the second at $1.95 (Bet365)
Sunday, May 9
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Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar4:05 PM AEST, AAMI Park |
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City’s latest clash came about as they beat the Jets with ease 3-1 at AAMI Park. For Brisbane the only thing that was battered in their 0-0 draw against Wellington was the beat up Rugby League pitch at Dolphin Stadium as the two rivals battled their way to a tight and tense nil-all draw. Melbourne saw Nabbout open the scoring in the 32nd minute, while Jamieson scored a rare strike in the 59th minute. And then just 10 minutes later ‘Macca’ secured his fourth 20+ goal season in A-League history with a great left-footed shot. They dominated the proceedings with 61% possession of the ball. And as well as that they shot 7/20 on target, + they had a shot hit the woodwork. While for the Roar both them and the Nix missed multiple great scoring opportunities as they fired away for 20 and 21 shots respectively during the game. More alarming for Brisbane however is that McDonald was just allowed to depart the club and then roughly a week later he scored what proved to be the winner in the Sydney Derby for Western Sydney. And now apparently Young wants out as well and they’re reportedly letting him talk to rival clubs. Will Melbourne cruise to an easy win here or will Brisbane use all the distractions and media speculation to their advantage?
At home this season City have won 7/8. Away from Melbourne they’ve won four of 10, + two draws in there as well. They’ve also won eight of their last 12 contested clashes against Brisbane. And they’ve won nine of their last 12 clashes overall. It doesn’t matter which way you paint it the Roar are well and truly up against it here to even claim a point against City, little lone a win. This will be a tough match for the Roar and one that I’m not fully sure that they can navigate coherently through.
Betting tips: Pick City to win at $1.52 (Unibet)
Also pick them to score the games last goal at $1.48+
And pick there to be at least one + goal in each half at $1.45 (Unibet)
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Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory6:10 PM AEST, HBF Park |
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In early 2016 at NIB Stadium these two sides played out an absolute banger of a game as Perth eventually won out 3-2. It was Castro’s second goal of the night that won it for them in the 82nd minute. While it was Keogh who also opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Berisha also had a double as his side fired away 16 shots at goal. It was also at times a heated affair as Khalfallah saw red in the 58th minute. Moving on to the clash after it was a 1-1 draw. That was an affair in which yet again both Keogh and Berisha featured on the score-sheet. Fast forwarding to 2018 and the Victory won an absolutely electric affair at AAMI Park as Barbarouses banged in the 90th minute winner with his right foot. And it came only seven minutes after Castro scored what had appeared to be the equalizer! Also at AAMI Park that year it was this time Ikonimidis who hit in the 93rd minute winner with his left foot. Suffice to say these two sides have played out some absolutely thrilling and magical affairs over the years and if we’re lucky this might just be another one of those clashes. Will Perth make the finals equation more complicated with a win or will Melbourne again crash the Glory’s chances?
With the Glory in 10th and on 19 points up against the Victory in 11th and on 15 points this match should be a lot, lot closer then what many experts and fans will expect it to be. You can also expect it to be hard as well with Lachman (Perth) and Brimmer (Melbourne) battling in a commanding way here. They average 2 and 1.9 tackles per game respectively and on the season have 34 in total each. That’s a unique element within this highly-anticipated clash to keep an eye out for.
Betting tips: Pick the Glory to be victorious at $1.61 (Unibet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.40 (Bet365)
And pick them to score last at $1.53+
Wednesday, May 12
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Brisbane Roar v Central Coast7:05 PM AEST, Dolphin Stadium |
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Corey Brown take a bow! The 27-year-old Defender has proved to be a master at creating goals this season for the Roar as he ranks equal third in the A-League for assists with five. And as well as that he has an insane 42 shot assists. The former Australian youth and Victory representative has been doing Alexander-Arnold like things this campaign, yet it’s gone largely unnoticed. He’s also completed a fairly decent 77% of his attempted passes (a massive 536 in total). And averaging 90 minutes per game he’s proved that he’s still got plenty left to offer the Roar despite the significant upheaval in terms of player personnel that they seem to be facing/undergoing at the moment. And when he last played the Mariners he caused a bit of damage. Some of his stats from that day include 36 accurate passes, good for an 86% completion rate, as well as one shot assist. Given that the Central Coast have been somewhat defensively woeful lately this match presents him with the perfect opportunity to help his side out defensively, but also attack further forward when the opportunity presents itself. Can he help his side take advantage and claim a much needed three points here or will the Mariners shut him down?
Brisbane have won their past four straight clashes against the Mariners as they’ve prevailed 4-0, 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0. The 4-0 affair which happened just last month saw them shoot an incredibly effective 6/8 on target as they proved that it’s not about the number of shots you take, but rather what you do with them. Combined with Brisbane having drawn 4/8 home encounters this season there’s a very good chance that they could take a point, or potentially all three from this clash.
Betting tips: Pick Brisbane to win at $1.99 or more, to score first at $1.49 or more and for each side to score at $1.49 or more when the odds become available for those certain markets.
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Perth Glory v Western United9:20 PM AEST, HBF Park |
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GMHBA Stadium was the venue when these two teams last met each other and boy oh boy wasn’t it an absolutely thrilling game of Football! W.U. eventually prevailed 5-4 courtesy of Lustica’s 84th minute winner but it was a game in which either side could’ve easily won. Pierias scored twice for the winners, while all of Sanchez, Imai and the previously-mentioned Lustica each got on the score-sheet once. For Perth Armiento scored twice, while both Fornaroli and D’Agostino got one each as well. Whilst only two matches before that they drew 1-all at the same venue. Kone opened the scoring for the home side in the 49th minute, while K. Popovic helped to make the score what it was with a decent effort late on in the 76th minute. These sides love to produce for the A-Leagues great supporters and hopefully that is what we’ll witness right here again. And with both sides needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive there’s absolutely no reason to think that it won’t happen. Do Perth prevail here or can Western United pull some more sneaky Football out of nowhere to get the victory?
When playing in Perth this season the Glory have three wins to their name, as well as two draws from only seven games played. And in front of their raucous home supporters they’re all but guaranteed to put on another show-stopping performance here. Castro will be relied upon to ignite the teams engine but if he can do that then the games all but over. When Perth are rampant they are RAMPANT!
Betting tips: Pick Perth to win at $1.89 or more, to score first at $1.39 or more and for each side to score at $1.59 or more when the odds become available for those certain markets.
Best Bets of the Round
Pick Sydney to open the scoring against Newcastle at $1.50 (Bet365)
Also from that same clash pick the first half to be the highest scoring one at $3.00 (Bet365)
And pick the second half of Perth vs Melbourne City to be the highest scoring one at $2.00 (Bet365)