The following are previews with betting tips for Week 16 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Wednesday, February 23
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Western United vs Sydney FC5:25PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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It’s a clash that pits 1st against 4th in what is sure to be a must-watch affair, as the resurgent ‘new boys’ take on the battle-hardened might of Sydney. With Western topping the A-League currently and having won 7/12 games so far, they’ll deservedly start as favourites against an underwhelming ‘Sky Blues’ team that has drawn an equal league-high six games this campaign. Meanwhile Western’s most recent 3-2 home win over Western Sydney was nothing short of impressive, as they landed 7/10 shots on target, despite owning only 34% possession of the ball. Ben Garuccio’s worldly Scorpion Kick being the highlight pick of an ultimately frenetic matchup. Whilst they also won 42-to-40-duels and 17-to-12-aerials. The stage is well and truly set for John Aloisi and his men to turn up and show the Footballing world what they’re capable of.
Did you know Ben Garuccio’s sublime 47th and 68th-minute efforts against the Wanderers are the Defenders only two goals over the last three seasons (two A-League and one Scottish Premiership). Meanwhile Max Burgess’s two strikes this season for Sydney are the most he’s ever managed in an A-League campaign bar his lone season with Western United (six).
Betting tips: Look for there to be over 2.5 goals produced at $1.85 (Sportsbet)
Also back both teams to score 1+ goals each at $1.67 (Sportsbet)
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Newcastle Jets vs Western Sydney Wanderers7:55PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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With the Jets having had their motors blasted in four of their last six games, playing against a desperate Wanderers side is a task that’s easier said then done. Yet despite this dreadful period, they still have the ever-reliable Beka Mikeltadze who has made the back of the net bulge seven times this season, good for second highest in the A-League. While just two matches ago, they toppled the Victory 2-1 in Melbourne. A game that was won by Newcastle biding their time and taking their chances when they arose. They only had eight shots the entire game and they only scored their opening strike through Valentino Yuel in the 57th-minute, but they did what they did best and in a deadly manner. One game prior, they shot 5/14 on target in a 4-2 defeat to City. The Jets are more then capable of pouncing here, they just need to play the match the way they want to play it and not how the opposition dictates it.
Did you know the Jets have prevailed three out of the last four times they’ve hosted the Wanderers, scoring 2+ goals in three of those matchups. Whilst Angus Thurgate has made the back of the net shake in two of their last three meetings at McDonald Jones Stadium, as the Midfielder also currently has two goals and five shot assists this campaign.
Betting tips: Pick H2 to witness over 1.5 strikes banged in at $1.83 (Sportsbet)
Also look for the hosts to etch in over 0.5 goals at $1.17 (Sportsbet)
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Perth Glory vs Macarthur FC7:55PM AEDT, University of Tasmania Stadium |
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The Glory witnessed five of their last ten games be postponed due to COVID complications, however they never bowed their head in defeat and kept going at the grind hard. And it paid off handsomely for them last weekend as they beat Brisbane 2-0 in Tasmania, to jump off the bottom of the ladder, thanks to a special Bruno Fornaroli double. The Uruguayan Striker was fearless in his attempts to spice the match up, as he converted an easy spot kick in the 8th-minute, then he scored another in the 73rd-minute to secure all three-points. With his men hitting a bit of form as of late, it’s easy to see them beating a lacklustre ‘Bulls’ side who’ve been horrendous away from home lately. And with Tomi Juric and Daniel De Silva (more then likely) absent from this game, the Glory should look to exploit their lack of key Attackers, in what should be a thrilling contest for the ‘hosts’.
Did you know Perth have won three of their last five overall clashes and have managed to keep two clean sheets in the process, that despite fielding two different Goal Keepers. In their 2-0 triumph over the Roar, it was Liam Reddy and in their 1-0 friendly win over Gwelup Croatia SC, ‘Rocket’ was recovering from injury and was absent from the field. Whilst in another twist for their Goal Keeping fortunes, former Liverpool player Brad Jones has featured just twice this season yet is averaging a phenomenal 4.5 saves per game.
Betting tips: Don’t be afraid to pick a draw as the end result here at $3.40 (Sportsbet)
Doubling down given the likely nature of this affair, also back a penalty to be scored at $3.26 (Sportsbet)
Friday, February 25
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Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory7:55PM AEDT, Moreton Daily Stadium |
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Melbourne left it late, but they eventually got the job done in the 93rd minute against the Mariners, thanks to the ever-elusive Nishan Velupillay who left Mark Birighitti with no chance. Meanwhile for Brisbane they had the life strangled out of them via their unfashionable 2-0 loss to the Glory. Henry Hore gave away an 8th-minute penalty and the rest is history. Brisbane shot just five attempts on target that match, while in the game prior against Wellington, they had only four. Whilst two games before that vs Newcastle, they went 2/15. They are being presented with the chances to score a bountiful of goals, but they are lacking the required finish to cause any legitimate damage. Having a relatively young side does them no favours in this department either, such as having 21-year-old Luke Ivanovic be a focal attacking point off the bench. The Roar should earn some easy chances here but look for the Victory to come away with the victory at the end of it all.
Did you know Brisbane have triumphed in three of their last four clashes against the Victory. However, when they last went head-to-head at AAMI Park it was all one-way traffic as Melbourne eased their way to a 3-0 victory, thanks to a 27th-minute Kai Trewin OG, a 31st-minute Nick D’Agostino strike and a 50th-minute effort to Ben Folami. Whilst the Victory also shot 4/13 on target that day and won thirteen free kicks, much to the Roar’s dismay.
Betting tips: Look for Melbourne to triumph at $2.87 (Bet365)
Also look for there to be over 1.5 goals scored within the match at $1.22 (Bet365)
Whilst you can also look for the Victory to score first at $2.20 (Bet365)
Saturday, February 26
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Newcastle Jets vs Macarthur FC5:05PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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On a small positive note for Macarthur headed into this clash, they have never lost to Newcastle in their short, yet storied history against them. They most recently won 2-1 and before that it was a 2-2 draw and another 2-1 win. Their most recent clash in Campbelltown saw them prevail 2-1, despite being a man down for over seventy-minutes, after Filip Kurto was sent off for his silly antics just eighteen-in. While in their most recent contest, also at home, they thrashed Adelaide 4-1 in what was a much-needed win for both the club and ‘Bulls’ supporters all over, as they banged in goals in all of the 43rd, 67th, 73rd and 90+1st minutes of the match. So, despite their shaky away form, they are still well-placed headed into this game. A game in which securing all three-points could potentially help catapult them into a prime league-stealing position.
Did you know Macarthur have won just once over their past five road games, whilst they’ve leaked nine goals over their past three away trips and only two games prior to that, they suffered an agonising 2-0 defeat in Kogarah. However, surprisingly over that period of time they have seen former Crystal Palace Defender Adrian Mariappa score twice for the franchise, after going scoreless over his first five appearances.
Betting tips: Don’t be afraid to pick both teams to score here at $1.61 (Bet365)
Also back both Ulises Davila at $2.30 and Beka Mikeltadze at $2.62 to score at any point throughout the game (Bet365)
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Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners7:45PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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It’s been a whirlwind campaign so far for former Sparta Rotterdam Attacker Craig Goodwin. In addition to securing his first ever international goal for the Socceroos, domestically he’s been on a tear too as he’s bagged six strikes, along with thirty-eight shot assists for the ‘Reds’. He’s been absolutely ruthless in their climb up the ladder to 3rd position, as they sit less than two wins back off 1st. Now he gets to face off against the Central Coast, a side whom he has enjoyed a great deal of previous success against. Seeking to rebound from his sides three-goal humiliation last round, this is almost the perfect chance for Carl Veart, the lads and himself to get back into the winner’s column. Expect him to grab the opportunity by the neck and put in one heck of a performance.
Did you know that Adelaide have struck thunder twelve times over their past five home games against the Mariners. Not only that, but they’ve also won eleven of the past thirteen games in which they have hosted the Central Coast. Whilst George Blackwood has bagged two goals over those last three-games, with the ‘diamonds and rocks only’ Attacker seemingly enjoying himself whenever he features against Nick Montgomery’s side.
Betting tips: The Mariners will be out for vengeance after their latest defeat, so back them home at $3.20 (Sportsbet)
Also look for both at least 1+ goals to be scored in H1 & H2 at $1.61 (Sportsbet)
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Sydney FC vs Melbourne City7:45PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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There’s no Luke Brattan available for this clash, while Mustafa Amini is only six games into his ‘Sky Blues’ tenure. Meanwhile Adam Le Fondre (eight) and Kosta Barbarouses (one) have featured in just nine combined/total matches this season. Sydney’s attack has faltered massively because of those reasons, as well as others, having scored just twice over their past two games. This is an area of weakness that City should look to strongly attack by virtue of their own golden offence. Jamie Maclaren leads the A-League with goals scored this season, nine, while there’s also Andrew Nabbout and Matthew Leckie, two well-established superstars who have four strikes a piece. Going past them, the likes of Connor Metcalfe (22) and Scott Jamieson (14) have created ample goal-scoring chances this season. So, it’s exceedingly difficult to see City not winning this game against an undermanned and frankly faltering Sydney side. A side that is unfortunately no longer the one that fought hard in last season’s premier showpiece event.
Did you know Melbourne City have won four of their last seven head-to-head clashes against Sydney FC. Whilst the last time they met at AAMI Park saw Luke Brattan sent from the field and prior to that Kosta Barbarouses opening strike rendered ultimately meaningless, as City covered themselves in glory for the first time ever, winning the Grand Final 3-1 as they pummelled the ‘Sky Blues’ into submission. City also owned 69% possession of the ball and took twenty-six shots to three on that faithful day. Patrick Kisnorbo ever the fearless leader is once again on the sidelines facing off against Steve Corica & Co.
Betting tips: Be on the lookout for a City win at $2.37 (Bet365)
Also look for City to fashion over 1.5 goals at $2.10 (Bet365)
Sunday, February 27
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Western Sydney Wanderers vs Wellington Phoenix6:45PM AEDT, CommBank Stadium |
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Ufuk Talay is doing one hell of a job in charge of Wellington. He got them to the FFA (Australia Cup) Cup semi-finals and currently has them in 7th place on the ladder and just five-points off first. They most recently drew with Sydney in Leichardt and prior to that, thrashed Brisbane 3-0. While not long ago they also bested the Victory 1-0 and Macarthur by two-goals. The ex-Australia U’20s and North Queensland Fury manager has won close to 41% of his overall games in charge of the club (the best ever percentage achieved by any Phoenix manager) whilst he’s knocked back lucrative offers from the likes of both the Victory and Wanderers to stay with the ‘Nix’ and help turn them into a potent force. The New South Wales-born manager is doing incredible things with Wellington and we’re all here just in awe of it. Talay is well and truly a match and a half for Mark Rudan and the previous Western United coach may struggle to counter what he comes up with.
Did you know the ‘Nix’ are currently riding a hot streak of form, as they’re undefeated over their last five games, with their last defeat coming in early January against the Victory (FFA now Australia Cup). Whilst their last pair of back-to-back and A-League defeats were handed to them on January 1st of this year, with Ufuk Talay’s men currently tearing their opposition open with ease.
Betting tips: Look for a draw to potentially be the result in Parramatta at $3.30 (Sportsbet)
Whilst both teams to score is pretty surefire at $1.57 (Sportsbet)
And pick there to be no OGs in this clash at $1.03 (Sportsbet)
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Perth Glory vs Western United6:45PM AEDT, University of Tasmania Stadium |
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Aleksander Prijovic, the 13X capped Serbian international and former Super League Greece and Greek Cup top-scorer started the season of slowly for his new side from Tarneit. However, it’s safe to say he’s well and truly found his groove now as he bagged a stunner at AAMI Park to open the scoring against Western Sydney last round. His stunning kick was never going to be stopped by a simply bewildered Daniel Margush, who could only stand there and watch the ball fly into the centre of the goal. The same man who also scored on fifteen occasions during his most recent stay at Al-Ittihad, has addictingly conjured up three goal assists and eleven shot assists this campaign. For all of his sides struggles close to goals, he can and is very well capable of moving the needle and the match against the Glory.
Did you know Aleksander Prijovic (four goals) and Steven Lustica (three) are Western United’s two top goal-scorers this campaign. And while on the surface that may appear nice, it’s really not given some of their top-tier teammates struggles. Allesandro Diamanti has zero goals through ten games played, while Connor Pain is at two through eleven and Dylan Wenzel-Halls hasn’t found the back of the net since a December 4 win against City. The ‘Green & Black’ as a whole are struggling with their potency close to goals.
Betting tips: Back Prijovic to score anytime at $2.20, while his first goalscorer odds at $5.00 are very healthy (Bet365)
Also back there to be over eleven corners produced at $2.10 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the week – Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory
Look for Melbourne to triumph at $2.87 (Bet365)
Also look for there to be over 1.5 goals scored within the match at $1.22 (Bet365)
Whilst you can also look for the Victory to score first at $2.20 (Bet365)