The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 2 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Friday, November 26
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Western United v Perth Glory7:45 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Will John Aloisi secure a maiden A-League men victory in charge of Western United, or will Daniel Sturridge play his part in a Perth triumph?
For the ‘Green and Black’ they head into this home clash off the back of a disappointing RD1 1-0 loss to the Victory, a clash in which they shot just 3/12 on target. While for the Glory their latest affair saw over 17,000 spectators turn up to witness the cameo debut of former England international and multiple times European winner Sturridge. However, it was the attacking maestro’s counterpart in the form of Bruno Fornaroli who stole the show, with his long-range screamer helping to secure a tightly contested 1-1 draw.
When looking back to the last time these two teams faced off against one another in Victoria, the home side prevailed in the form of an incredibly entertaining 5-4 win. Among the highlights that day were Dylan Pierias scoring twice for the ‘Green and Black,’ while Carlo Armiento also bagged a double for the away side.
While it might not be a goal bonanza in this affair, it’s safe to assume that both clubs will have their fair share of chances shooting against Brad Jones and Jamie Young, respectively. Further adding to that, against Melbourne last round, Dylan Wenzel-Halls registered four shots, Allesandro Diamanti completed 39 accurate passes and new signing Neil Kilkenny fired away two shots + 76 completed passes. It’s impossible to think that those sorts of stellar attacking stats won’t be capitalised upon for two weeks running. One of the A-League’s newest sides should get the victory here in a close and enthralling matchup.
Betting tips: Pick Western United to prevail at $2.20 (Bet365, BlueBet)
Also pick Aleksandar Prijovic to score anytime at $2.10 (Bet365)
Saturday, November 27
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Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix5:05 PM AEDT, WIN Stadium |
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Can Wellington take all three points, or will the ever-pesky Central Coast have a point or two to prove under Nick Montgomery?
The ‘Nix’ head into this Wollongong clash after securing a 1-1 draw vs Macarthur, after fighting through less-than-ideal conditions in Newcastle. Whilst the Mariners survived a late Jets fightback in the F3 Derby to prevail 2-1, after Valentino Yuel’s late strike was rendered meaningless for the hosts. Wellington showed that they were no pushovers, while the Mariners proved themselves a ‘so far’ similar side to that of last seasons. All of this helping to set the tone for both a wonderful, yet also awfully intense clash ahead!
Joshua Nisbet opened the scoring in the 50th minute against Newcastle as his smart right-footed attempt had Jack Duncan beat easily from the get-go. It was a well-deserved first ever Mariners strike for the Midfielder, as he appears to be a key player for Ufuk Talay’s men to try and thwart in this clash. He also feistily won 5/8 duels, despite his significant lack of a height advantage. Which regrettably for him, gives the Phoenix something to try and punish.
However, he’s no pushover and they’ll have to work incredibly hard to get him to falter. Given four of the Central Coast’s attacking six are new to the club, if they get him to welter under the pressure, then the ‘Nix’ could really pile on some misery here. Yet you can expect Nisbet to hold out in a strong Mariners conquest.
Betting tips: Look for the Mariners to hold out and win at $3.20 (Bet365, BlueBet)
Also pick them to open the scoring at $2.25 (Bet365)
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Adelaide United v Melbourne City7:45 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Will Adelaide secure another shock win against Melbourne, or can City go back-to-back?
Adelaide going toe-to-toe against Melbourne City is essentially a matchup between a really good side with no money and a really good side with money! The ‘Reds’ have multiple players on Scholarship Contracts, while Melbourne City have countless players with international pedigrees attached to their playing careers. However, their recent history shows us that anything can happen, with the ‘Reds’ having won four of their last seven encounters against City overall. This encounter is bound for anything bar disappointment, that’s guaranteed.
Only adding to the hype surrounding this game is the fact that Adelaide looked incredibly strong during their most recent 1-1 draw against Perth at HBF Park. They opened the scoring courtesy of a sublime Kusini Yengi strike in the 22nd minute, while they also had a goal pegged back for offside. Not to mention they also banged away 15 shots in total, as well as having owned 61% possession of the ball. As for City they claimed a to close for comfort 2-1 win over Brisbane at AAMI Park, as a magical three-minute first half period helped them over the line. First it was Curtis Good who scored in the 40th minute, then Connor Metcalfe struck just three minutes later, burying his shot into the bottom right corner. VAR also assisted them, denying the Roar a strike in the second half that probably should’ve stood, due to an offside ruling.
The ‘Reds’ will make this far from an easy matchup for City. The away side haven’t won at Hindmarsh Stadium since a December 16, 2018, 2-0 win. I expect the home side to fight a lot, and to push Melbourne to the brink, however City’s class should get them over the line in the end.
Betting tips: Choose City’s class to get them the victory at $2.15 (Bet365)
Also back Jamie Maclaren to find the back of the net anytime at $1.80 (Bet365)
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Sydney FC v Macarthur FC7:45 PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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Will the ‘Sky Blues’ overcome their Derby disappointment, or will the ‘Bulls’ rub further salt into their wounds?
With over 23,000 raucous supporters turning up to watch the opening round Sydney Derby in Parramatta, they certainly were not disappointed, as new signings Elvis Kamsoba and Jack Rodwell lit up the ground in what was a very touch-and-go nil-all stalemate. Other players such as Adam Le Fondre and Milos Ninkovic also had their fair share of chances to find the back of the net but weren’t able to convert them into goals. The shared points was probably a fair result in the end. For the ‘Bulls’ Lachlan Rose’s 61st minute effort saved their blushes in a drab 1-1 draw vs Wellington in the Hunter Valley. Their home game being part of an A-League Double Header after their normal pitch in the form of Campbelltown Stadium was left in a horrendous condition over the off-season.
When these two rivals last went head-to-head, Matt Derbyshire’s first half goal was all that separated them, despite Sydney shooting 5/15 attempts on target. Yet the possession was all in Macarthur’s favour as they owned 63% of the ball. Expect this game to be a lot more even, despite the hosts potentially missing influential leaders such as Bobo and Barbarouses, or if they do play, they’ll be battling injury woes. For the ‘Bulls’ it’s not exactly all roses either, with the clubs ‘ground woes’ putting them in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, whilst this affair will be Filip Kurto’s second game for the club, with no trial appearances to back him up. While he’ll have only been in the country for a bit over a week by the time this clash rolls around. Sydney should aim to make him work hard and potentially get fatigued, then this game could potentially get a heck of a lot easier for them.
Expect both sides to go all out in attack in this clash, given both were fairly reserved by their own lofty standards in RD1. For the hosts, Ninkovic has to do a better job with both his creativity and shot-taking abilities. As for the ‘Bulls’, Rose took just two shots, despite being at the forefront of Macarthur’s attack. He has to get better service in Kogarah if Ante Milicic & Co want a realistic chance of claiming all three points.
Betting tips: Look for the ‘Sky Blues’ to get the dub at $1.90 (Bet365, BlueBet)
Also back only one side to score at $2.17 (BlueBet)
Sunday, November 28
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Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar4:05 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Will this matchup produce another 5-0 or 5-2 score-line?
Earlier this year Brisbane put their big boy shoes on and thwacked the Victory 5-2. They had 25 shots overall and eight of them hit the target. In comparison Melbourne had just 10 overall. While two years back the Victory prevailed 5-0 courtesy of a commanding Kosta Barbarouses hattrick. However, he no longer plies his trade in Victoria, while Riku Danzaki has also respectively departed the Roar.
Perhaps shock goal-scorer from last round, 21-year-old Luke Ivanovic can step up for Brisbane, just like he comfortably did in his sides one-strike loss to City. Or maybe 23-year-old Ben Folami can add to his three bangers of last season. He also played a key part in his sides tense one-goal triumph over Western United last week.
For Ivanovic, he brings a bit of an unpredictability with him as a bench threat. He wasn’t always able to shine during his stint in Sydney, playing behind attacking masterminds such as Bobo and Adam Le Fondre, but it would’ve no doubt done his development a world of good as well. Whilst his goal a few seasons back against the Jets is pretty difficult to forget! He’ll be looking to put the Victory on high alert whenever he enters the field of play and hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.
For former Ipswich Town and Stevenage representative Folami, his creativity should not be underestimated. His capabilities mean that he can shred through Warren Moon’s side like a piece of paper, especially with the inexperienced and still developing Macklin Freke in goals for the opposition. While I’d rate the Sydney-born product and his side to get on with the job, it’s also impossible to fully discount the same Roar side that held City to eight attempts off target last round. We’re in for a cracker!
Betting tips: Back Melbourne to etch out a triumph at $2.45 (Bet365)
Also pick them to find the back of the net first at $1.80 (Bet365)
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets6:05 PM AEDT, CommBank Stadium |
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Will the Western Sydney Jets (insert wink emoji here), or Newcastle Jets prove victorious?
Encounters between the Wanderers and Jets are always jagged because of Carl Robinson’s defection from Newcastle to the significantly bigger budget Wanderers. Bernie Ibini also left the franchise for similar reasons. Meanwhile Steven Ugarkovic is another former Jet playing in Western Sydney currently. Oh yeah there’s also Dimitrios Petratos, Ramy Najjarine and John Koutroumbis too! So, if the visitors ever needed motivation to try and overcome Western Sydney, then it’s right here.
The Jets should be extremely confident of claiming all three points in this matchup as well, given they’ve won five of their previous nine contests against Western Sydney. The pick of the bunch coming in 2019 when they humiliated the home side in Homebush, winning 5-1. While most recently it ended 1-1 thanks to strikes from both Ibini and the now departed Roy O’Donovan. That day the two clubs combined for 30 shots, 21 fouls and 5 yellows. They love to attack! And they love to fly into tackles hard as well! Anything closely resembling that in this affair will be of the absolute highest quality of Football.
Meanwhile the Wanderers fought hard in a 0-0 draw in the Sydney Derby at CommBank Stadium. New signing and former Man City rep Jack Rodwell was very impressive after he came on for Terry Antonis. He had two quality looks at goals and forced Andrew Redmayne into some dangerous and painful positions. Robinson’s men should take a lot of positives from a game they could/should have won. For the Jets, a late Valentino Yuel strike in trying conditions in Newcastle wasn’t enough as they fell 2-1 to the Mariners in the F3 Derby. Both sides showing us that they can cause some damage this campaign.
Betting tips: Look for the Wanderers to win at $2.10 (Bet365)
Also pick Western Sydney to keep a clean sheet at $3.25 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the Round
Betting tips: Choose City’s class to get them the victory at $2.15 (Bet365)
Also back Jamie Maclaren to find the back of the net anytime at $1.80 (Bet365)