The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 22 of the 2020/21 A-League season.
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Friday, May 21
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Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar7:05 PM AEST, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Can Brisbane continue their rise of will Newcastle prove to be too good?
Both Newcastle and Brisbane suffered 1-0 defeats last round to the Mariners and Reds respectively. For the Jets they went down 1-0 at home after a somewhat soft second-half (54th minute) Matt Simon spot kick. The Roar leaked their goal in the first-half after Craig Goodwin scored in the 23rd minute. These results have left Newcastle still anchored to the bottom of the ladder and Brisbane sitting just inside the Top Six. And for each of the four clubs placed behind them on either GD or just three points, they have a game in hand over. Those two clashes combined with the last time these teams having faced off being a nil-all tightly contested game all point towards this one following a similar path.
The Jets have won just 1/11 home games this season while the Roar are 5/11 away from Dolphin Stadium this campaign. The result of this game has already been settled in the Roars favor before a ball’s even been kicked.
Betting tips: Pick Brisbane to win at $2.40 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.80 (Bet365)
And pick them to score last at $1.80 (Bet365)
Saturday, May 22
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Wellington Phoenix v Western United2:05 PM AEST, Sky Stadium |
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Which one of these two finals desperate teams will claim all three points?
For the first time this season Wellington will play in their home country of New Zealand as they feature at Westpac Stadium against the much-hated Western United, led by former Nix head-coach Mark Rudan. And the Phoenix are bringing some serious form over the Tasman as they haven’t lost at all from their past seven matches. That run started with a 3-2 victory over their arch-rivals back in early April at Wollongong. That day Ben Waine ecstatically lashed in the 90th minute winner to send the home-crowd into a frenzy. Whilst their latest affair saw them matchup to Jamie Maclarens seemingly 81st minute winner with a great Tomor Hemed equalizer in the 88th minute at AAMI Park. Phoenix fans are going to pack this one out and rightfully so because it’s shaping up to be one hell of a clash.
W.U. have managed to score just 12 goals away from home this season, whilst the amount they’ve leaked on the road is over double that at 25 strikes. Their terrible record away from their home-base along with the Nix’s long-awaited return to NZ finally happening means they should claim all three points here.
Betting tips: Pick Wellington to win at $2.05 (Bet365, Sportsbet)
Also pick both teams to score at $1.53 (Bet365, BlueBet)
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Melbourne City v Central Coast7:10 PM AEST, AAMI Park |
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Who will prove to be the top dog on this occasion?
This clash sees AAMI Park play host to 1st-placed Melbourne City up against the 2nd-placed Central Coast Mariners in a game that being contested so close to the start of the finals is guaranteed to shake the A-League to its core. Melbourne is coming off a thrilling 2-2 draw with Wellington, while the Central Coast are backing up after a nervy, yet entertaining 1-0 finish against Newcastle. A win for City would see them move 12 points clear of the Mariners, whilst a win for the Central Coast would see them at least temporarily move four points clear of 3rd. There is a lot to play for here! And given the last two times they’ve played have been 2-0 to City and 3-2 to the Central Coast, it really could be anybody’s game. There’s no better way to spend your Friday night then by tuning into this one.
Diving a bit deeper into these two sides past results against each other and you’ll see that Melbourne have won 11 of their last 16 contested clashes against the Central Coast. And along with that they’ve lost just 1/11 home matches this season, you do the math and it becomes pretty clear who has the upper hand here.
Betting tips: Pick both teams to find the back of the net at $1.61 (Bet365)
Also pick there to be at least one goal (if not more) in each half at $1.41 (UniBet)
And pick the second-half to be the highest scoring one at $1.95 (Bet365)
Sunday, May 23
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Sydney FC v Western Sydney4:05 PM AEST, SCG |
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Will Sydney be painted Sky Blue or Red?
The last time Sydney and Western Sydney met it was in front of a crowd of over 20,000 raucous spectators in Parramatta. The Wanderers scored twice in the opening 16 minutes through Kamau, then Duke. While off the bench in his first game for the Wanderers McDonald also got on the scoresheet. Then with the perfect chance to bring back the score to one in the 86th minute Bobo blazed his penalty attempt way over the bar, but then he also scored in the 94th minute. The end result was a 3-2 Wanderers win. The match had everything you could possibly need in it! Whilst their two results before that were both hard-fought 1-1 draws. First it was Barbarouses and Troisi scoring within six-minutes of each other in the second-half and prior to that Yeboah landed an 82nd minute equalizer. We’re all set for another exciting chapter right here in the Sydney Derby.
Thirteen minutes after being subbed on, ‘Alfie’ Le Fondre scored the 76th minute match winning spot kick against Western United away from home. The man who has achieved success here in AUS, as well as in both India and Europe is no doubt going to be another match influencing factor right here and he could well prove to be the difference between the two teams at the end of the clash.
Betting tips: Pick the Sky Blues to be victorious at $1.54 (UniBet)
And also pick them to open the scoring at $1.36 (Bet365)
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Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United6:10 PM AEST, AAMI Park |
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What impact will Kusini Yengi have this time?
Yengi banged the ball into the back of the net at Marvel Stadium during the 61st minute during his sides last win against Melbourne. This was a pivotal moment in the game as it meant that they had gone from being 1-0 down to 2-1 up. They would eventually win 3-1. He then proceeded to celebrate in front of the Melbourne Victory faithful much to their anger and disgust. Since then he’s gained plaudits from supporters all around the A-League, whilst he also copped some pretty damaging abuse online. With Adelaide travelling to Melbourne again for this one, look for him to be particularly damaging in attack. And if he scores as he’s done on multiple occasions this season (three in total), look for him to make a point against the Melbourne supporters. The exciting 22-year-old prospect is one to watch and particularly so in this encounter.
The Victory have won just 1/11 in Melbourne this year and they’ve leaked an A-League worst 28 goals (the next worst is 18 just for comparison). Combined with a win here potentially moving Adelaide up to 2nd here there’s too much on the line here for them to blow it.
Betting tips: Pick Adelaide to be victorious at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also pick them to open the scoring at $1.57 (Bet365)
And pick them to score the games last goal at $1.57 (Bet365)
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Perth Glory v Macarthur FC8:15 PM AEST, NIB Stadium |
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Cometh the man, cometh the Keogh, what will man do here?
With zero goals from 18 games this season Keogh had participated in some questionable moments as a Forward and was needed desperately to be more involved in Perth’s clash against the Wanderers. Well he was as he put on a five-star performance scoring four goals in his sides 5-1 thrashing. Some of his highlights included a goal from close to halfway and managed to being able to get it over a stunned Wanderers Kepper, as well as a calm and cheeky as you like spot kick. He put all his doubters to bed with that game and gained his rightful respect as a feared Attacker once again. Now up against Macarthur at home the onus will be on him to continue his damaging form. The Irishman who once infamously claimed that Usain Bolt has a fist touch like a trampoline is no doubt going to be bouncing in this one!
Perth’s past two results at NIB Stadium have been their previously talked about 5-1 win over the Wanderers and a cruisy 3-0 win over Western United. And if we’re going back further they also beat the Victory there 2-1, they really do love playing at home and it’s truly a beautiful thing to witness when they’re in full flight.
Betting tips: Pick the Glory to win at $2.25 (Bet365)
And also pick them to score the games last goal at $1.72 (Bet365)
Tuesday, May 25
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Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City7:05 PM AEST, Dolphin Stadium |
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Will City do what they do or is it the Roars turn for something special?
When Brisbane and Melbourne last met the Roar fell just short going down 3-2 at AAMI Park. Down 2-0 after the opening 17 minutes, they brought it back to 2-2 with goals through Champness (28th minute) and Gillesphey (38th minute). Eventually all that would separate the two sides was a 73rd minute Galloway effort. But given they only owned 42% possession of the ball and had just 9 shots compared to City’s 32, they put in a mighty fine effort. Now it’s all about backing it up and displaying that same resilient form again right here. Except this time they’ll be able to do it in front of their loyal and passionate home supporters. Champness scored against City, whilst he also missed would’ve equalised the game penalty attempt against Adelaide. The former Newcastle man has been a big part of the Roar’s campaign this year and will again be heavily relied upon to use his speed and creativity against Melbourne to counter what the likes of Maclaren, Luna and so on will offer to the opposition.
At Dolphin Stadium this campaign the Roar have been extremely defensively resolute as they’ve leaked just nine goals. Given City’s tendency to have a relentless attack at the ready their ‘brick-wall’ like structure in Redcliffe could come in very, very handy for them.
Betting tips: Pick City to win, score first and for Maclaren to score anytime at odds of $1.59, $1.39 and $2.09 or more when they become available.
Wednesday, May 26
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Western Sydney v Wellington Phoenix7:05 PM AEST, Bankwest Stadium |
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Can the Wanderers give their fledgling finals hopes a boost or will it be the Phoenix who do it instead?
Currently situated in 7th and 8th on the ladder, both Western Sydney and Wellington are currently involved in a massive dog fight as they attempt to reach the finals. For the Wanderers they’re on 31 points, as are the Roar who are one place ahead of them, but Brisbane also have played a game less then them. While for the Nix they are on 28 points, with 7 wins from 22 games played this campaign. Both teams are highly unlikely to feature in the finals this season and anything but a win would more then likely spell the end of their campaign for them. This is where the likes of Ibini and Troisi really need to step up for the Red & Black and show why they were brought into the club at the start of the season. While for the Nix, Talay and his crew of hard workers and under appreciated players need to continue the hot form that they’ve displayed lately. This is a do or die game for both sides.
At Bankwest Stadium this season the Wanderers have scored 23 goals, yet they’ve also let in 16 as well. They love to find the back of the net, but they also concede relatively with ease so it’s anyone’s game in Parramatta.
Betting tips: Pick Wellington to open the scoring and for Western Sydney to score last at odds of $1.99 and $2.19 or more when they become available.
Best Bets of the Round
Pick the second-half in the Sydney Derby to be the highest scoring one at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also pick there to be a goal in each half at $1.47 (UniBet)
And pick both teams to score between the Glory and Macarthur at $1.58 (BlueBet, UniBet)