A-League Men Week 23 – Previews & Betting Tips

The following are previews with betting tips for Week 23 of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.

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Tuesday, April 12

Sydney FC vs Adelaide United 7:05PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

As Sydney and Adelaide prepare to head into battle, they do so precariously placed in 4^th and 5^th on the ladder, each on 31-points respectively. For the ‘Sky Blues’, their latest outing was a surprise 5-0 drubbing of the Mariners in Gosford, as Adam Le Fondre ran riot, potting in his fourth, fifth and six goals of the A-League season (28^th, 58^th and 59^th-minutes). A match-up in which the visitors shot 8/12 on target and displayed some genuinely scary attacking venom. Whilst Adelaide etched their way to a stoic 1-0 win over the ‘Bulls’ at Hindmarsh Stadium, as Hiroshi Ibusuki found the back of the net for the fifth time this campaign, in the 46^th-minute of the game. The ‘Reds’ similar to that of their counterparts, weren’t afraid to attack the jugular, owning 58% possession of the ball and shooting 7/16 on target. Both sides needing a win here to further cement their finals positions.

Key Commander: Adam Le Fondre. Secured X3 strikes vs the Mariners and is seemingly playing his way back into top form.

Betting tips: Back Sydney to take out the win at $1.75 (Sportsbet)

Also look for them to strike first with a goal at $1.57 (Sportsbet)

 

Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar 7:05PM AEDT, AAMI Park

The Victory in their latest home Derby tore City to shreds, as they commandingly beat them 3-0 to rise up to 3^rd on the ladder, posting their ninth League win of the season in the process. Jake Brimmer got the party started in the 7^th-minute, after a clumsy Tom Glover mistake in the box. Then international ‘Kiwi’ Marco Rojas displayed all the class in the world in the 14^th and 27th-minutes with two worldly strikes to send the majority of AAMI Park into raptures. Tony Popovic’s men seemingly unwithering in their pursuit of A-League glory this campaign. Meanwhile the Roar has/had Wanderers Keeper Daniel Margush to thank for their latest draw at CommBank Stadium (1-1), as in the final stages of the match, whilst attempting to keep the ball under control, he relinquished possession of it and proceeded to ‘tackle down’ Alex Parsons in the process in a downright silly attempt to stop him from scoring. Up stepped veteran Jay O’Shea and into the top left corner went the ball from the penalty attempt. This rivalry is one that never disappoints.

Key Commander: Marco Rojas. He scored X2 utterly world class strikes vs City and against a woefully defensive Roar side, I’d tip him to torment them too.

Betting tips: Look the Victory to win at $1.80 (Bet365)

Also look for there to be over 1.5 match goals at $1.25 (Bet365)

 

Wednesday, April 13

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners 7:05PM AEDT, CommBank Stadium

Daniel Margush cost the Wanderers at home last round, whilst sub-par defending cost the Mariners in Gosford last weekend. Currently positioned in 8^th and 11^th on the ladder, respectively, draws won’t cut it anymore and only a triumph will do. And it might be a struggle-fest given that Western Sydney have won just three of their last 11 games contested in Parramatta. Whilst the Central Coast haven’t won a single game from their last seven on the road. The A-League has and continues to produce scintillating moments with every round that comes and goes, but as evidenced, those have been far and few between for each club this season. This could regrettably prove to be one of those matches that just doesn’t ‘cut the mustard’ so to speak. However, you can look for looming desperation with the regular season quickly coming to a close.

Key Commander: Bernie Ibini-Isei. The Forward has just one goal and zero goal assists this season, so another poor performance could see him made redundant out at Rooty Hill and as such, he’s playing for his future right here, as are a lot of other poorly performing Wanderers.

Betting tips: Look for both teams to score 1+ goal and for the total to be over 2.5 strikes at $1.83 (Sportsbet)

Also look for H1 to have over 0.5 goals within it at $1.30 (Sportsbet)

 

Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix 7:05PM AEDT, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

The Glory currently are being battered, and the Jets powerfully displayed that for all to witness at McDonald Jones Stadium last round, smashing the visitors six goals to one. Scoring strikes in the 21^st, 31^st, 37^th, 50^th, 78^th and 81^st-minutes of the match, it was pain from the very beginning for Perth right until the very end. The Glory’s consolation strike coming courtesy of a right-footed effort from Ciaran Bramwell in the 69^th-minute. A far from five-star performance, leaving Rueben Zadkovich and his men with plenty to improve upon. Whilst the Phoenix were able to completely switch up their form last weekend at Morshead Park. After losing their two previous matches for a combined 11-0 score-line, they pounced on Western United in what was an extremely convincing 4-1 triumph. With their fantastic goals being fashioned by Jaushua Sotirio X2 (32^nd and 63^rd-minutes), Scott Wootton X1 (29^th-minute) and Gael Sandoval X1 (47^th-minute). Based of the previous rounds results, Perth could be in for a world of hurt in Kogarah (of all locations to play it at).

Key Commander: Liam Reddy. With the dire predicament that Perth currently find themselves in, combined with himself being one of their very few experienced starting men, a lot of pressure will be on the Glory Shot Stopper to try and keep this match close.

Betting tips: When the match odds become available pick Wellington to win and for Jaushua Sotirio to to score at any time.

 

Friday, April 15

Macarthur FC vs Brisbane Roar 7:45PM AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium

With Brisbane in 10^th and nine-points off an illusive finals berth, the rest of the season is essentially a write off for Warren Moon’s men. However, for Ante Milicic’s side, their campaign is still well and truly alive, as they currently occupy 7^th position on the ladder. Having won eight and drawn five of 21-total League games this season, they’ve been decent enough to deserve a Top Six spot, however inconsistency has haunted them all campaign long. A fine example of this is they started the season/FFA (now Australia) Cup with five wins from their first seven games and dropped of their form massively since. The unfortunate highlight of that being having won just two of their last nine competitive hit-outs. A strong outing from the Roar could see them do enough to claim just win NO.7 of the season, however you would expect the ‘Bulls’ to ‘lock in’ given just how much is on the line (for them particularly) in this encounter.

Key Commander: Tomislav Uskok. The ‘Aussie’ ‘Bulls’ Defender has had a solid season to date, completing 442 accurate passes (82% completion rate), as well as winning 64/104 duels, 4/4 takeons and 10/21 tackles, with the ex-Western United man needed to keep Macarthur’s defence sturdy and in place.

Betting tips: Back Macarthur to take out this clash at $2.20 (Sportsbet)

Also look for only the ‘Bulls’ to find the back of the net at $1.57 (Sportsbet)

 

Saturday, April 16

Western United vs Perth Glory 5:05PM AEDT, University of Tasmania Stadium

Western United have a fairly happy history against their rivals from Western Australia, having triumphed in four of their last five outings against the currently besieged club. The latest of those occurred in late February this year as the ‘Green and Black’ trounced them to the tune of a 2-0 score-line. Although the match at HBF Park wasn’t always pretty, John Aloisi’s men claimed all the points on offer that day thanks to solid goal efforts from Aleksander Prijovic in the 37^th-minute and Dylan Pierias in the 56^th-minute. The difference that match was the gulf in attack, whereas Perth went just 2/12 on target, Western United complied going 5/15 on target. And with the mounting number of injuries and unavailability’s that the Glory have, it will be an incredibly daunting task for them to even claim as little as a stalemate out of this encounter. Unless Perth drastically change things for this clash, it has the potential to get very, very ugly.

Key Commander: Lachlan Wales. The burgeoning Attacker has five goal assists and 32 shot assists on the campaign, his speed down the flank and ability to create space out of nothing will highly likely leave the Glory in all sorts of trouble, as they may well trouble to counter what the young Australian has to offer throughout the match-up.

Betting tips: Back Western United to prevail at $1.44 (Bet365)

Also pick Aleksander Prijovic to score anytime at $1.83 (Bet365)

 

Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne Victory 7:45PM AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium

Playing at McDonald Jones Stadium in front of their loyal supporters, the Jets ‘turned on the motors’ as they smashed the Glory six goals to one in what was a historic performance from the ‘Novocastrian’s’ and one in which in-turn helps keep their slim finals chances alive. Beka Mikeltadze jumped on the score-sheet three-times in the rout (31^st, 37^th and 78^th-minutes), while Daniel Penha also opened the scoring in the 21^st-minute and bagged one in the 50^th-minute too, while Valentino Yuel had his fifth for the campaign in the 81^st-minute of the match. They shot 10/17 on target and kept Perth to just four shots in total in what was a true, true masterclass. Whilst the Victory’s AAMI Park, 3-0 Derby victory over Melbourne City was also something truly wonderful to behold, as two long-range bullets from Marco Rojas destroyed their neighbours. Goals galore should be the major theme of this clash, as both sides are looking extremely hot at the moment.

Key Commander: Beka Mikeltadze. The 2X capped Georgian international scored a hattrick against Perth last weekend and on 12-strikes for the season, gives the Jets a major chance of conjuring up an upset in this encounter.

Betting tips: Look for the Victory to claim a close victory at $2.40 (Sportsbet)

Also look for over 2.5 goals to be scored within the match-up at $1.74 (Sportsbet)

 

Sunday, April 17

Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners 1:05PM AEDT, Sky Stadium

For the first time in a very, very long time Wellington will be playing back at home at Sky Stadium, as they prepare to host the Mariners in what should be a sea of yellow and black and nothing else. The sacrifices Wellington have made for the A-League and ‘Aussie’ Football in general, simply put, should not be understated. They deserve to have the biggest home coming possible and I am undoubtedly sure that they will get it. While if it were up to this writer, the ‘Nix’ would get the entirety of their next season at home. However, the last time these two sides went head-to-head in Wellington the Mariners got up 2-0. As they shot a tremendous 6/16 on target and kept Wellington to just one on-target attempt in total. Matt Simon in the 40^th-minute and Oliver Bozanic 10-minutes later being the two goal scorers that day. Anything can be thrown up in the air in this match and it very well could be one of the games of the season.

Key Commander: Jaushua Sotirio. With six A-League goals this season, he’s already doubled his 2018/19 tally of three and it’s a professional best from the firing Marksmen, with this match representing another chance for the ex-Wanderer to continue to cement himself into Wellington’s records books and in front of a humongous actual home crowd at that.

Betting tips: Look for the ‘Nix’ to win their long awaited home coming at $2.10 (Bet365)

Also back them to score the games first goal at $1.66 (Bet365)

 

Tuesday, April 19

Western United vs Macarthur FC 5:05PM AEDT, University of Tasmania Stadium

Playing in Tasmania, Western United prepare to go head-to-head against Macarthur with plenty on the line for both franchises. For the ‘Green and Black’ a win would keep them well and truly alive in their pursuit of the Premiers Plate. While the ‘Bulls’ need a win to keep within touching distance of the Top Six, a long fall from grace compared to where they were situated during the initial part of the season. Yet with Western United having won just one of their previous six games, now is the perfect opportunity for Macarthur to exploit John Aloisi’s men’s weaknesses. Against Wellington last time out, they scored just one goal, despite going 6/19 on target. The ‘Bulls’ aught to make light work of their oppositions goal scoring woes and make them pay for it. It’s all or nothing in this clash as the stakes have been dramatically heightened.

Key Commander: Steven Lustica. The well-versed Midfielder has played in 21 A-League matches this season for the ‘Green and Black’ and has been a godsend for them, with five goals, 15 shot assists, 685 accurate passes (83% completion rate), 13/23 tackles won, 38 duels won and three takeons completed, as he’ll no doubt come in handy against a ‘Bulls’ side desperate to score and win.

Betting tips: When the match odds become available back both teams to score at least once each and for Aleksander Prijovic to score anytime. 

 

Best Bets of the week – Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar

Look the Victory to win at $1.80 (Bet365)

Also look for there to be over 1.5 match goals at $1.25 (Bet365)