The following are previews with betting tips for Matchweek 7 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Friday, December 31
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Central Coast Mariners v Macarthur FC7:05 PM AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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The Mariners unfortunately had their latest clash against Wellington postponed, while the ‘Bulls’ can only wish they had their game against Sydney delayed, as they were torn to shreds 3-0 at home. Having leaked goals in the 11th, 28th and 55th minutes, they looked far off the mark in the Derby and as a result were handed their first defeat of the new campaign. Still in 2nd spot however, a triumph in Gosford would at least temporarily take them into 1st headed into 2022. They landed just 3/9 shots on target, whilst only owning 43% possession of the ball. Plus they won just 40 duels to the ‘Sky Blues’ 54. Meanwhile, the 4th placed Central Coast have won their past three competitive hit outs for a combined scoreline of 10-0, including a 6-0 romp of APIA Leichardt in the FFA Cup. A cup game which saw them go 11/20 on target! The hosts latest defeat was to Macarthur back in early December. so will the ‘Bulls’ triumph once again or will the Mariners prove to be flaming hot?
Playing just his third game for the ‘Bulls’, Adrian Mariappa was superb. The former Watford and Crystal Palace player stood out despite his sides heavy loss, winning 6/8 duels, 2/2 tackles and 2/2 take ons. That while he also completed 55 passes, good for a 95% accuracy rate. Logic would only assume that the 2X FA Cup runner-up is only going to get better and better, especially once Macarthur return to winning ways. With his side having already toppled the Mariners once this season, it’s not entirely impossible to rule it out from happening again here. And he becomes especially more prevalent when he’ll be tasked up against lads such 23-year old Moresche and 22-years-of-age Joshua Nisbet. A good or bad performance from him should help sway the result of the match.
Betting tips: Pick the ‘Bulls’ to prevail at $3.30 (Sportsbet, Bet365)
Also back them to score first at $2.30 (Bet365)
While you can also pick there to be no goal after 76:59 at $1.83 (Bet365)
Saturday, January 1
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Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City5:05 PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Newcastle would’ve hopefully used the enforced week off as an opportunity to try and grow from their latest 2-1 abysmal away defeat to Macarthur. Having a one-man advantage onwards from the 18-minute mark clearly wasn’t enough, as the ‘Bulls’ forged a late 84th minute winner through James Meredith. A few positives for them to take from that encounter however was their dominant 74% possession ownage of the ball, whilst also going 8/21 on target. As for Melbourne they too were unable to complete their scheduled game against the Roar, with their latest affair being the incredibly testy 2-2 Derby draw at AAMI Park. With a late winner also cruelling them courtesy of Nick D’Agostino in the 81st minute of the match. With just three-points separating the two smokey-hot or deadbeat sides on the ladder, who will come out on top in this all-exciting affair?
Beka Mikeltadze is a Forward in some blistering form at the moment! He bagged an excellent strike against Macarthur in his sides latest affair, while previously before that against Wellington, he scored two sweet goals. The 2X capped national Georgian Attacker can be absolutely venomous with the ball at his feet and faced up against a lethal City side, he’ll simply have to be to give them a chance of ripping something from this clash. As in five of their past eight competitive clashes Melbourne have fashioned 2+ goals. So Mikeltadze will be strongly needed to help return fire for the home side. Expect him to make his presence felt in one way or another in this encounter.
Betting tips: Pick City to triumph at $1.95 (Sportsbet)
Also look for them to make the back of the net bulge first at $1.62 (Sportsbet), as well as last at $1.57 (Bet365)
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United7:45 PM AEDT, CommBank Stadium |
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Who could possibly forget on the 8th of May last year when the Wanderers thoroughly thumped the ‘Green & Black’ five goals to nil at CommBank Stadium (formerly BankWest). Despite having just 38% of the ball, the hosts shot 10/22 on target, whilst causing the opposition defence all sorts of issues. However, things as we all know in Football can quickly change. Fast-forward to now and former coaches are coming out and giving an absolute tongue lashing to the Western Sydney organisation, while despite their high-number of COVID cases, Western United are sitting pretty in 3rd spot, with four wins from six games on the season. That along with the ‘Red & Blacks’ latest game in RD5 having resulted in a 2-0 disappointment to the Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium. Can the Wanderers make the goals rain again or is it United’s time to shine?
Allesandro Diamanti is currently recovering from COVID which takes a chunk out of their attacking threats. However John Aloisi has brilliantly gotten United to play a more team-friendly style this season so as to not have to heavily rely upon the former Serie A creative force. Dylan Wenzel-Halls has scored twice this campaign, while landing eight shots on target as opposed to six off. Connor Pain has also found the back of the net twice, along with registering 13 shot assists. Neil Kilkenny additionally has played in all six of his sides A-League Men appearances this campaign, having created 11 shot assists. Not too mention their only two defeats have both come at the hands of the Victory. It would be surprising if they weren’t able to etch out a victory over Western Sydney.
Betting tips: Pick W.U. to triumph away from home at $3.90 (Sportsbet)
While you can also back Connor Pain to score anytime at $5.50 (Bet365)
And look for both teams to score at $1.66 (Bet365)
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Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix7:45 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Adelaide were one of eight teams to have had their matches postponed last round, as were Wellington. With COVID seemingly wreaking havoc on the A-Leagues, it hasn’t been easy and both sides are certainly no strangers to that. However, a win here would be the ‘Reds’ first home victory of the season, while it would also be the ‘Nix’s’ first on the road. So there’s plenty still to play for and as well as that both side are slipping further and further away from the Top Six, so a triumph would do wonders in grinding their inconsistent form to a halt. For Carl Veart’s men their latest defeat was a testy 1-0 result against Adelaide at AAMI Park, a controversial loss that probably should’ve been a draw to say the least. While Ufuk Talay’s side were harshly beaten 2-1 by Sydney inside of Nestrata Jubilee Stadium. With Adelaide on a two-game losing streak and Wellington at three, which side will break their slump first?
Five of the last six H2Hs between these two long-distance rivals have either A- Been a draw or B- The victors have only prevailed by a one-goal margin. The latest clash being a 0-0 draw in Adelaide. Despite 13 shots from the ‘Reds’ and an even bigger 15 from the ‘Nix’, neither side was ultimately able to create the all-crucial breakthrough strike. Whilst prior to that Wellington came up with the goods 2-1, at WIN Stadium, as Tomer Hemed landed the crucial 90+7M penalty into the back of the net. Along with that, Adelaide’s last home win by more than one goal came in early April of last year and they’ve only had one since. All signs point to another tight classic between two fan-favourite A-League Men sides.
Betting tips: Back the ‘Nix’ to fashion a victory at $3.60 (Sportsbet)
While Garry Hooper to score first at $7.00 also appears to be a decent pick given he’s already bagged two this season (Bet365)
Also pick there to be over 2.5 goals at $1.75 (Sportsbet)
Sunday, January 2
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Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar6:15 PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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For a side that once posted the Australian Footballing record of 36 consecutive games without defeat, the Roar sure have fallen a long, long way from that. There’s no Besart Berisha anymore, nor is there Thomas Broich providing magical assists, while Ange Postecoglou is now at Celtic and their 5X combined A-League Men Premierships/Championships are a distant memory now. They’ve tasted success in just 5 of their last 14 games overall and that drops down dramatically when you exclude their FFA Cup wins over non-A-League Men teams. Warren Moon is severely struggling as is the whole Brisbane squad! And it’s impossible to imagine the Victory not giving the last-placed Roar a real spanking here. Will Melbourne prove significantly too classy or can Brisbane conjure up something out of nowhere?
The Victory have won 2/3 home games this season. While if that weren’t enough, despite their well-publicized struggles of the campaign not long ago past, they’ve still taken points in five of the last eight times they’ve hosted at AAMI Park. Meanwhile the Roar have lost 6/9 previous away matches. With every stat that gets published, it just becomes increasingly more difficult for Moon’s men to be able to take anything from this game. They’ll display some pride, no doubt! And they’ll also come out with a point to prove! But at the end of it all, Tony Popovic’s side are already far, far above whatever Brisbane are capable of producing this season. Roar fans might want to cover their eyes for this one, because it’s about to get real, real messy in Victoria.
Betting tips: Look for Melbourne to ease their way to victory at $2.30 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to strike first while the irons hot at $1.66 (Bet365)
And also look for their to be over 2.5 goals at $1.80 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the Round
Pick City to triumph at $1.95 (Sportsbet)
Also look for them to make the back of the net bulge first at $1.62 (Sportsbet), as well as last at $1.57 (Bet365)