The following is a preview with betting tips for the Grand Final of the 2020/21 A-League season.
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Sunday, June 27
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Melbourne City v Sydney FC5:05 PM AEST, AAMI Park |
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Many rival supporters view this weekends upcoming A-League Grand Final as just a regular game between the two ‘rich’ and ‘money-filled’ teams within the competition. However, while there may be some layers of truth to that statement, this clash is also so, so, so much more then that.
For City’s loyal fans a maiden triumph on the biggest stage of the season would represent the clubs third trophy, but by far and away the most important one. Because since they were incepted into the league as the Melbourne Heart in 2010 they have had some pretty dark times as a franchise. That includes when they collected the Wooden Spoon in the 2013/14 campaign. They want this and they deserve this more than anyone else. That was only further exemplified when the whistle sounded on their resounding 2-0 semi-final win over Macarthur and their fans could rejoice after reaching a second Grand Final in as many years.
While for Sydney it’s a bit different, they are used to having bona fide success as a club having previously claimed five Championship victories throughout their illustrious history. And when you look through their playing list down the years it becomes even more apparent why they are constantly challenging year-in year-out with the likes of Dwight Yorke, Alessandro Del Piero, Alex Brosque, Bobo and Adam Le Fondre all having pulled on that prestigious Sky Blue jersey at one time or another. And after having just ever so slightly edged Melbourne in last seasons decider 1-0, they’ll be fully prepared and aware of what they have to do in order to make it a slightly less arduous task this time around.
Thankfully we should see an incredibly sprightly affair here as each side come into this clash on the back of victories. With both clashes being contested in Kogarah the Sky Blues prevailed 2-1 over the Reds, while City beat the Bulls 2-0. For Steve Corica’s men it was Le Fondre who opened the scoring in the 24th minute of the game with a sweetly taken spot-kick attempt and then Bobo made it two on the 43rd minute mark. While for Patrick Kisnorbo’s side their two strikes were produced courtesy of a second-half blitz in which they scored an insane two goals in two minutes. First it was Stefan Colakovski who opened the scoring in the 54th minute and then in the 55th Marco Tilio found the back of the net with ease. And with Sydney having gone 5/8 on target and Melbourne 4/12, luckily for us that further adds to the entertainment prospects of this should-be-thrilling-affair.
And Tilio is a massive part of City’s game plan to relentlessly attack the back-to-back champions, or so you’d think anyway. The 19-year-old wasn’t played or valued much during his time in Sydney and as such he packed his bags and headed to Victoria where he has excelled. He’s pacy, creative and has consistently been a vibrant threat up front. And to his credit he has 2 goals and 5 assists on the season to date. With a massive point to prove against his old employers, being in red hot form and being strongly backed up by a Midfield combination of Adrián Luna, Aiden O’Neil and Florin Berenguer he is primed for one hell of a performance in this clash.
As for Sydney that man is ‘Alfie’ Le Fondre. Most recently for Mumbai City in India he bagged an impressive 11 goals from 20 appearances. While in just six games for Sydney this season he’s found the back of the net 4 times + he has 1 assist as well. The former Football League Championship winner will be needed for the Sky Blues in this clash. Unfortunately his attacking teammate Kosta Barbarosuses cannot be regularly relied upon to score goals, whilst Brazilian Bobo doesn’t have the sort of pace that he used to at 36 years of age. We all saw how quickly City can create something out of nothing against the Bulls, so players such as the former Bolton Attacker can help mitigate some of the threats that the opposition will pose to them.
This game belongs to whoever will want it more on the day and their ferocious history against one another backs that up 110% of the way. Their last match-up was a 1-1 draw in Leichhardt. While prior to that City prevailed 3-2 in Melbourne and Sydney 1-0 in Parramatta. Before those matches it was 2-0 to City, 2-1 to Sydney, 2-0 to City and 2-0 to Sydney. It’s one after the other with them really! And in their last three clashes somebody has gotten on the scoresheet either on the 90-minute mark or even later then that. There’s always some late drama and controversy whenever these two teams are around!
To keep this short and sweet City will fight and fight and fight until they can barely move anymore. Each and every single one of their players that takes the field for them will care about what’s at stake and will do absolutely everything in their power to deliver the franchise it’s maiden Championship. However, Sydney is Sydney. They are clinical, experienced and successful. They should be able to just outlast whatever Melbourne throws at them and as such hoist yet another trophy. But regardless of whoever prevails this is primed to be a clash for the ages.
Betting tips: Pick the Sky Blues to prevail at $2.85 (UniBet)
Also pick them to score first at $2.00 (Sportsbet)
But pick City to strike last at $1.83 (Sportsbet)
In addition also look for Le Fondre to score anytime at $2.08 (UniBet)
Best Bets of the Round
If Craig Noone does feature in this match then at $3.60 (UniBet), those are some odds that are hard to pass up
Also look for both teams to score in the second half at $2.88 (Sportsbet)