The following are previews with betting tips for Week 21 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Wednesday, March 30
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Brisbane Roar vs Wellington Phoenix7:05PM AEDT, Moreton Daily Stadium |
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The Roar and Phoenix experienced strongly contrasting results last round, as Brisbane were ultimately outdone by an 83rd-minute converted Aleksander Prijovic header, going down 3-2 to Western United in what was an incredibly frantic affair at Dolphin Stadium. Meanwhile at Leichhardt Oval it was Nicholas Pennington who in the 90+7th minute scored the ecstatic winner with his left-foot, in his sides 2-1 win over Perth. As a result, Ufuk Talay’s men (although he will regrettably be absent from this affair due to COVID-19) have won five of their last nine games, as they’ve remained in hot pursuit of a Top Six berth.
Key Player: Jay O’Shea. He kept Brisbane’s game alive last round with an 88th-minute effort, and he has two goals, seven goal assists and forty-seven shot assists on the campaign, being as vital as ever to their attacking contributions.
Betting tips: Look for Ben Waine to make his mark and score anytime at $3.40 (Sportsbet)
Also back the match to fashion over 1.5 strikes at $1.25 (Sportsbet)
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Sydney FC vs Macarthur FC7:05PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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Sydney have produced fourteen strikes at home this campaign, while Macarthur have put out fifteen on the road. And with both teams in severe danger of missing the finals all together (as they sit just zero and one-point ahead of 7th respectively), this clash is turning into a must win Sydney Derby affair for both Steve Corica and Ante Milicic’s sides. With both sides entering this match-up having suffered poor losses the round prior, as Sydney went down 2-0 to the Jets in the Hunter Valley, whilst Macarthur rued their poor finishing in what was a 1-0 defeat to City at Campbelltown Stadium. With each side having claimed two wins a piece from their previous four H2Hs, this game and in-turn all three-points is readily available right there for whoever wants it the most.
Key Player: Lachlan Rose. The influential Attacker this campaign has four goals + has won 8/15 tackles overall, as well as 66/152 duels. He competes hard despite his stature and is an important member of the ‘Bulls’ team.
Betting tips: Look for Sydney to edge out the slightest of victories at $1.72 (Bet365)
Also back one of Adam Le Fondre $1.80 or Luciano Narsingh $2.75 to score anytime (Bet365)
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Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets9:40PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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17-Year-old Archie Goodwin is the name on everybody’s lips at the moment, as the Newcastle-born Striker scored the second and third goals of his A-League career to help heroically upset Sydney 2-0 at home last time out. Despite his side missing several key players, as well as Goalkeeper Jack Duncan playing despite recovering from injury, they sent several massive jolts throughout the Australian Footballing World, commandingly keeping alive their Top Six dreams in the process. As for Perth in what was their first game under new head coach Reuben Zadkovich, they suffered late heartbreak, as a 97th-minute Nicholas Pennington winner saw Wellington topple them 2-1 in Leichhardt. Yet positively for Perth, Newcastle have lost their last three away games on the trot. So a bright start for the Glory could be all they need to claim a much-needed home victory.
Key Player: Archie Goodwin. For the Newcastle Jets NPL he bagged 12 goals in 17 appearances. And now he has 3/9 for the Jets in the A-League. Expected to start again, he could cause some damage against a defensively struggling Glory team.
Betting tips: Look for Newcastle to claim an emphatic victory at $2.60 (Sportsbet)
Also back them to score first at $2.00 (Sportsbet)
Saturday, April 02
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Western United vs Central Coast Mariners2:05PM AEDT, Mars Stadium |
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Both Western United and the Central Coast flexed their offensive powers last week, as the ‘Green & Black’ prevailed at Dolphin Stadium 3-2 over the Roar. While the Mariners also strutted around, thrashing Adelaide 3-0 at home. United’s goals came via Adisu Bayew (35th-minute), a Scott Neville OG (59th-minute) and Aleksander Prijovic with the match clinching header (83rd-minute). As they also had fifteen shots and owned 63% possession of the ball. As for the Central Coast, they left it late, as their goals came courtesy of Marco Urena (77th-minute), Jason Cummings (91st-minute) and Matthew Hatch (93rd-minute), as they shot a very impressive 9/21 on target, whilst also owning 56% possession of the ball. In what could potentially be a goal-fest, this match should be highly entertaining.
Key Player: Aleksander Prijovic. The Serbian has scored six of his sides twenty A-League goals this season, as they are well-placed in 2nd on the ladder, as he also helped seal his Men’s result against Brisbane last round.
Betting tips: Don’t be afraid to pick John Aloisi to lead his side to victory at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also pick the match to have over 2.5 strikes in it at $1.80 (Bet365)
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Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City5:05PM AEDT, Sky Stadium |
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As Wellington prepare to host Melbourne City, for the first time back home in frankly far, far too long, they do so having won five of their last nine games against them, with a draw being in there too. Most recently they knocked them out of the FFA (now Australia) Cup in what was a monumental effort from the New Zealand-based franchise. If they were also to win all five of their games in hand over City (21 v 16), they would stand to be just one point off Patrick Kisnorbo’s men. That’s not entirely out of the realm of possibilities either given the season they’ve had to date (or even three wins and a draw would bring them closer). For Melbourne they navigated the extremely difficult international period in which they had four players missing on Australian duty very well. Choosing to back up from the Socceroo’s game against Japan, Jamie Maclaren (64th-minute) scored the only goal, in their tight 1-0 win over the ‘Bulls’ away from AAMI Park. With Wellington closing in on the Top Six, City faces a big task in their attempts to halt their wrath this game.
Key Player: Florin Berenguer. During City’s latest 1-0 triumph over the ‘Bulls’ he completed forty-four accurate passes (88% completion rate), as well as registering two shot assists, while he also won 3/7 duels and 1/2 tackles, with the 32-year-old in form currently and helping City in 1st.
Betting tips: Look for City to edge out this should-be frenetic encounter at $1.66 (Sportsbet)
Also look for Jamie Maclaren to score anytime at $1.66 (Bet365)
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Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory7:45PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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It’s the A-League’s original rivalry as Adelaide host the Victory in what is a big game with potentially huge ramifications for either side. A win for the ‘Reds’ would only help them further consolidate a Top Three birth and at least one home final. As for the Victory, a victory for them would boost them ahead of Adelaide on GD. Suffice to say there’s a lot going on in this one! Melbourne however head into this game with some rather peculiar form, having drawn four of their last five matches. The latest of which was a 1-1 result against the Wanderers at home. Despite shooting 8/22 on target and seemingly having scored the winner through a 91st-minute Jason Davidson blinder, they had also witnessed perhaps somewhat unfairly Roderick Miranda being sent off two-minutes prior for his foul on Jarrod Carluccio. Then in the 90+5th minute Brendan Hamill conceded the handball inside the box and Steven Ugarkovic converted the penalty to seal the dramatic result. With Adelaide’s previous match being a 3-0 loss to the Mariners, they may be hard pressed to topple the Victory in this match-up.
Key Player: Lachlan Brook. Adelaide’s mid-season arrival simply has to be doing more than that of his output last round. Against the Mariners he had just one shot and one shot assist in total. Whilst he made just nine passes in total as well. That’s just not goof enough! As such, a lot more (rebound effort) will be expected of the on-loan Brentford Midfielder here.
Betting tips: Pick there to be 12+ corners in this H2H at $2.20 (Bet365)
Also pick Melbourne to score in H2 at $1.66 (Bet365)
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Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers7:45PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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It is the final Sydney Derby to be contested at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, as Sydney FC prepare to take on the Wanderers with both sides displaying drastically different form currently. The hosts have lost four of their previous seven games, although their recent three-match winning streak was severely snapped 2-0 by the Jets in Newcastle last weekend. While Western Sydney have won three of their last eight games and are undefeated in five of their last eight. The most recent of which was an encouraging 1-1 draw vs the Victory at AAMI Park. With Steven Ugarkovic calmly converting the 96th-minute spot kick to hand his side a hard-earned point. And it’s they who have the advantage before KO in this clash, having won four and drawn three of their last eight games against the ‘not so much Sky Blues’! A terribly impressive record for a Derby, but not so much for Sydney. A win here could be all the Wanderers need to continue their march towards the finals under the watchful guidance of Mark Rudan.
Key Player: Daniel Margush. The ‘Aussie’ Keeper made an impressive seven saves against the Victory, while he is averaging 2.63 on the season. With Western Sydney’s defence improving but not fully up to scratch yet, he’ll be vital in their defence against a Sydney side brimming with attacking desperation.
Betting tips: Look for this clash to produce over 1.5 goals at $1.25 (Sportsbet)
Also look for Sydney to be winning at one or both of HT and FT at $1.62 (Sportsbet)
Sunday, April 03
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Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets4:05PM AEDT, Moreton Daily Stadium |
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As Brisbane face the Jets both sides need all three-points in their chase of a Top Six spot. For the Roar, they are seven-points off the mark, but they also possess two games in-hand over 6th placed Sydney. While Newcastle has two games in-hand too and are just three-points off. Both teams have raucous and loyal fanbases to count upon each home match they contest, but they also get small crowds. A finals berth for each side could do them wonders as they continue to fix their on-field form and general image. And the two young and in-form Attackers in the form of Henry Hore (four goals this season) up against Archie Goodwin (two goals vs Sydney last game) should be a thrilling side note in what should be a keenly contested match.
Key Player: Macklin Freke. With the backup Goalkeeper likely to deputise in the absence of Jordan Holmes he’ll need to step up to the plate and deliver. He has conceded nineteen goals from twelve games played this campaign and with Brisbane strongly searching for a win, they can’t let the score-line blowout like they have regularly throughout the season.
Betting tips: Back both sides to score at $1.61 (Bet365)
Also pick there to be 1+ H1 goals at $1.33 (Bet365)
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Macarthur FC vs Perth Glory6:20PM AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium |
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As hard as Perth might’ve tried this season, it just hasn’t come together for them. From border restrictions to constant injuries crippling star players such as Daniel Sturridge, through to some rough officiating, it just ain’t been it. And this has all in some capacity contributed to their woeful away form. As when not playing at home, they’ve won just two of their last eighteen games overall. However, Macarthur have lost four out of their last five attempts at home, so there is the slight potential of a Glory upset in this clash. Especially so considering the combined score lines of those four outings is 11-4! The Glory have however drawn two of their last three road games, the highlight of which was a 2-2 draw vs City at AAMI Park. It is difficult, but it can be done!
Key Player: Andy Keogh. Playing the Phoenix was just his tenth game of the season, as he put up just one shot in total. The vital Attacker will no doubt likely start again this game and he has to do better, even if the opportunities for him to score are limited. If the Glory can’t get him to function properly then they could be in for a spot of bother in this affair.
Betting tips: Back a stern ‘Bulls’ win at $1.85 (Sportsbet)
Also pick them to keep a clean sheet in the process at $2.88 (Sportsbet)
Tuesday, April 05
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Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix7:05PM AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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With Wellington in 7th on the ladder and the Mariners in 8th, this is a match that despite being contested on a dreary Tuesday night, is sure to be one worth tuning into. The Central Coast have won three and drawn two of their last five games, as they’re making a damaging run towards a finals spot. With their last two score lines alone being 7-2! While Wellington are also doing okay, having won two of their last four played matches. The latest of which was their famous 2-1 Leichhardt Oval win over Perth. And six of the last seven H2Hs between these two rivals have produced three + goals each time. This only adds further intrigue to what should be a fun match all-round.
Key Player: Marco Urena. The Costa Rican international has six goals, five goal assists and thirty shot assists through seventeen matches played this campaign. The 32-year-old is still performing at a prominent level and will be needed to do so again against an equally as desperate to win Wellington side.
Betting tips: Both sides are in decent form at the moment, so go for the $3.40 draw (Sportsbet)
Also pick no OG to be scored throughout the match at $1.03 (Sportsbet)
Best Bets of the week – Western United vs Central Coast Mariners
Don’t be afraid to pick John Aloisi to lead his side to victory at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also pick the match to have over 2.5 strikes in it at $1.80 (Bet365)