The following are previews with betting tips for Week 14 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Tuesday, February 08
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Newcastle Jets FC vs Melbourne City FC8:05PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Despite the Jets playing hosts to City, that does nothing to change the fact that from their past 15 matchups, Melbourne have prevailed in nine of them (with a further 2018 clash resulting in their only draw over that time). Can the ‘Novocastrians’ rewrite the script, or will City continue their longstanding dominance against Arthur Papas’s side?
In the Jets latest victory in less-than-ideal conditions in the Hunter Valley, it was Angus Thurgate who stood tall when his team needed him the most, as he shot the ball through a cluster of players to score what proved to be the 70th-minute winner. That was the Port Macquarie-born products first strike of the season and hopefully it was a decent jolt to his confidence levels as well. Having also registered three shot assists this season to date, his campaign has been all right, but it could be a lot better. Having previously represented Australia as a youth, the 21-year-old has a great chance to show off what he’s capable of this year, however he needs to build upon his newfound momentum gained last time out.
Betting tips: Look for City to strike first with a goal and win whenever the match odds become available.
Wednesday, February 09
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Wellington Phoenix FC vs Melbourne Victory FC7:05PM AEDT, WIN Stadium |
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The Phoenix and Victory last met barely over a week ago in the FFA Cup (now known as the Australia Cup) Semi-finals at GMHBA Stadium in South Geelong. While it was the ‘Nix’ who took a shock lead in the 39th-minute courtesy of Garry Hooper’s fine right-footed effort, they would go on to be eventually smashed to the tune of a 4-1 score line. However, fast forwarding to today and in Campbelltown, Wellington put on a display, destroying Macarthur 3-1. Which version will turn up to compete against the Victory?
It was Jaushua Sotirio who scored X2 last time out against the ‘Bulls’ in what was a stellar performance from the Attacker. And had his first half-effort not clipped the post he would’ve scored a hattrick. However, now is the time that Wellington need him to be most influential with their season firmly on the line. They have a good mathematical advantage over some of the clubs ahead of them, but they need to seize the day and really go for it. As a veteran of well over 120 A-League games, he will be heavily relied upon to help the ‘Nix’ do so.
Betting tips: Pick the Victory to prevail and win at $2.15 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to score first at $1.72 (Sportsbet)
Thursday, February 10
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Central Coast Mariners FC vs Macarthur FC7:45PM AEDT, Bluetongue Stadium |
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Fresh off licking their wounds, courtesy of their 2-1 Final defeat to Melbourne, the Central Coast head into their encounter against Macarthur having won four of their previous seven games overall. In addition, the Mariners have also triumphed in three of their first five ever clashes against the ‘Bulls.’ A lot of positive signs are pointing towards Nick Montgomery’s men collecting all three-points at Bluetongue Stadium. What will Ulises Davila & Co be able to throw at them in a jubilant attempt to stop them in their tracks?
Former Chelsea man Davila needs to do a lot more to help out his now somewhat lethargic ‘Bulls’ side with their attack. He has one goal and zero assists this season, as Macarthur have parlayed just three strikes over their last three appearances. Meanwhile Davila’s stats are in a stark comparison to that of last season when he produced seven goals, six assists and 57 shot assists. His time to adjust within the ‘Bulls’ set up is well and truly over and he needs to start living up to his name and contract ASAP.
Betting tips: Pick the ‘Bulls’ to charge in and win at $3.10 (Sportsbet)
Also look for Macarthur to have their first team goal within H1 at $2.10 (Sportsbet)
Friday, February 11
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Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Melbourne City FC7:45PM AEDT, CommBank Stadium |
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As City prepare to travel to CommBank Stadium to contest their affair against the Wanderers, they do so in possession of an extremely shaky away record, having won just five of their last 13 games on the road. While they have also won just one of their last six contests overall. Despite currently residing in 6th place, they have collected just 13-points through nine games played so far, as they are precariously close to dropping out of a Finals place altogether. Will they let Western Sydney sting them, or will they (Melbourne) be the only ones causing any damage in this not so royal rumble?
Playing under Mark Rudan for the first time as manager this past week, Western Sydney beat then lost to Western United, both with 1-0 score lines. However, both games were encouraging. In the opening affair they took 17 shots, while in the second they took 16. Against the Glory they also owned 58% possession of the ball and against Western they had 69% of it. Now having had even more time to train under Rudan and getting more acclimatised to his philosophies, they face a dreary Melbourne at home, a surprisingly winnable match for them.
Betting tips: Look for Melbourne to win at $1.90 (Bet365), although it’ll be far from easy.
Also look for Jamie Maclaren to fashion the games first goal at $3.75 (Bet365)
Saturday, February 12
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Wellington Phoenix FC vs Adelaide United FC4:50PM AEDT, Netsrata Jubilee Stadium |
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Despite competing in Kogarah, Wellington’s clash against Adelaide somehow constitutes as a home clash for them, and is a part of a double-header, with Sydney versing Western United afterwards. Luckily for Ufuk Talay’s side however, they have been dynamite at home recently, winning six of their last eight clashes at whatever venue they are calling theirs. Meanwhile, Adelaide have drawn three of their previous six road clashes, as they have struggled a bit away from the confines of Coopers Stadium. With the ‘Nix’ pressing hard for a Top Six berth and Adelaide not that far off 1st (19PTS vs 14), this promises to be a great matchup. Will Wellington bag all three-points, or can Adelaide halt their questionable efforts away from home?
Analysing Wellington’s recent efforts against Macarthur paint an extremely pretty picture for the visitors, as they made the back of the net bulge in all of the 12th, 71st and 78th-minutes of the game. And unlike their efforts prior to that (blowing a one-goal buffer vs the Victory), when Macarthur replied with a goal of their own, Wellington held on strong to bag two more without reply. They also shot 5/13 on target, in addition to having 55% possession of the ball. Whilst they also completed 82% (437/533) of their passes and gave up just 10 fouls to the oppositions 17. They are a great of a chance as any to topple Adelaide in this affair.
Betting tips: Pick the ‘Nix’ to prevail at ‘home’ at $3.30 (Sportsbet)
Also back their to be over 2.5 goals within the match at $1.70 (Sportsbet)
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Sydney FC vs Western United FC7:45PM AEDT, Netsrata Jubilee Stadium |
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The ‘Sky Blues’ at one point this past round found themselves in 1st position on the ladder, a seemingly unthinkable feat just a few mere rounds ago. However, it was true, their late 2-1 victory over the ‘Reds’ away from Kogarah and in SA massively catapulted them up the standings. And what a win it was! As Thomas Heward-Belle, Sydney’s back up GK, stood up big in the 88th minute to dive to the right, denying Adelaide their spot kick equaliser. Now they verse the pace setters in the form of the ‘Green & Black’ who under the guidance of John Aloisi are undefeated in three of their last five away encounters. The latest of which was a strong 1-0 win over the Wanderers, a clash which they won with 32 dangerous attacks. How will Aloisi and his side fare against a somewhat down, but not out fellow dangerous A-League Men’s team?
Bobo has now scored three straight goals for Sydney, all the while coming off the bench in each and every one of those clashes. After a rough start to the season in which he went scoreless throughout his opening four A-League Men’s games, the 37-year-old Brazilian Forward seems to have rediscovered his mojo again. He looks set to go off against a side whom he converted a penalty against last year, regardless of whether he starts or is used as an impact substitution.
Betting tips: Back their to be over 2.5 goals fashioned at $1.72 (Bet365)
Also look for both teams to score in H2 at $3.00 (Bet365)
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Melbourne Victory FC vs Newcastle Jets FC7:45PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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The Victory have prevailed in a simply astonishing 11 of their last 16 matches overall, whilst their last defeat was 3-0 to the Glory in early December of last year, INCREDIBLE! Not only that, but throughout their last three games, they’ve conjured up a cool, calm and collected eight strikes. Just pinpointing one example, in their FFA Cup triumph against the Mariners, they shot the ball a high 18-times. They’re no long easybeats this season under Tony Popovic and it remains to be seen how a struggling Jets outfit will be the ones to put a blemish on their record. Sooo … how many goals can Melbourne prevail by, or do the Jets have a party trick or two up their sleeve?
It’s impossible to ignore the potential impact of Marco Rojas this season, as the ‘Kiwis’ return to A-League Football from 2020-onwards has borne lots of fruits. He’s currently posted five assists so far throughout the new campaign, in addition to having six goals overall since he came back from SonderjyskE in the Danish Superliga. The former Johnny Warren Medal winner is in vintage form currently, as mentioned above and with Newcastle having some severe mental lapses so far this season (conceding a 2-0 lead in the F3 Derby as one example), he is well poised to pounce and tear them to shreds.
Betting tips: Pick the Victory to prevail at $1.95 (Sportsbet)
Also look for only the Victory to score at $3.75 (Sportsbet)
Sunday, February 13
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Central Coast Mariners FC vs Perth Glory FC5:45PM AEDT, Bluetongue Stadium |
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Perth have won just three of their last 13 games overall, one of which was a trial game. COVID complications have not been kind to the Glory and as a result they’ve struggled to consistently get out on the pitch this season. Things will regrettably get no better for them as they prepare to face a hungry Mariners side, fresh off their 2-1 FFA Cup Final defeat. It’s not impossible for the Glory to pull this one out of the bag, but it is darn near difficult! Will the Mariners thwart them, or can the Glory pull off the perfect upset performance?
Averaging 76-minutes per game, former Mariner Jack Clisby has been superb playing at the back for Perth. Half of his shots have been on target (2-2), while he’s also got an assist to his name. While his defensive stats have seen him win 23 duels, four tackles and two take ons. Whilst he has also completed 129 accurate passes. The 29-year-old simply put has no quit in him and that’s critical when playing for a side that has been tossed around a lot like Perth have this season (fixture-wise). Look for him to impress in this one in an attempt to get some more points on the board for the Glory.
Betting tips: Be on the lookout for a commanding Mariners triumph at $2.25 (Bet365)
Also be on the lookout for multiple goals to be scored, over three infact at $3.00 (Bet365)
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Brisbane Roar FC vs Macarthur FC6:45PM AEDT, Moreton Daily Stadium |
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Brisbane is undefeated in 11 of their last 17 home games, as they’ve turned Dolphin Stadium into somewhat of a fortress lately, that despite their well-documented struggles. However, if any team is up to the task of halting the Roar, then it will be Macarthur, who’ve been victorious in five of their last eight games on the road. Expect a bit of testiness in this clash, particularly from Brisbane, as they attempt to rebound from their shattering 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last time out. Will Dolphin Stadium continue to light up, or will the Jets ‘shoot’ that straight down?
In five of their past eight encounters the Roar have kept the opposition to either one or zero strikes, not a bad statistic given they have the relatively inexperienced Macklin Freke residing in goals. A young lad who has kept three clean sheets so far this season and is averaging 2.78 saves per match. Whilst he’s made 25 saves in total on the season, eight of which have come outside the box. You can never fully discount Jamie Young’s replacement given the large flashes of potential he’s displayed this season and he’ll need it more then ever coming up against the likes of certified A-League threats such as Ulises Davila and Craig Noone.
Betting tips: Look for a ‘Bulls’ victory at $3.00 (Bet365)
Also look for both teams to score at $1.61 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the round – Wellington vs Adelaide
Pick the ‘Nix’ to prevail at ‘home’ at $3.30 (Sportsbet)
Also back their to be over 2.5 goals within the match at $1.70 (Sportsbet)