The following are previews with betting tips for the Elimination Finals of the 2021/22 A-League Men season.
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Saturday, May 14
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Western United vs Wellington Phoenix7:45PM AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Western United appeared oh so close to claiming a maiden trophy not that long ago under the tutelage and guidance of ex-Socceroo John Aloisi. However, since then that period has long crashed and burned, with the ‘Green & Black’ ending the regular season placed third on the ladder. As since the 6th of March, they have posted just three victories to their name. Whilst they have gone down in two of their last three clashes and have found the back of the net just twice over that period.
As for Wellington, their form headed to Victoria is a hell of a lot better than that of their counterparts, as they’ve prevailed in four of their last seven matches. Despite Ufuk Talay’s men placing sixth on the ladder, they’ve done an absolutely phenomenal job to even get this far. As having played just twice in New Zealand this campaign, the odds have been stacked heavily against them all season long. Whilst during their latest travels to Ballarat, they smashed the opposition four strikes to one, as Jaushua Sotirio locked down a scintillating double. AAMI Park should play host to a real classic encounter between these two rivals.
Aleksander Prijovic could be the decisive key when it comes to unlocking Western United’s potential in this deadly Elimination Final. The sneaky Serbian Striker has played Champions League Football during his long and illustrious career, while he has won trophies in three different countries and even averaged over a goal a game during his time in Turkey representing Boluspor. However, he’s failed to find the back of the net during his last three appearances, but he does have nine on the season. And at 32-years-old he’s doing well to average 78.0MPG over twenty-three matches on the campaign. United’s struggles of late have coincided with his own personal playing woes. However, if he can break free of the gloomy shackles here then the Phoenix will need to be on high alert, which being the star man that he is I expect him to do convincingly. Ultimately this is anybody’s game, and it will be as entertaining as any.
*Key Statistic: Wellington have won seven of their last eight matches vs the opposition!!!
Betting tips: Back Western United to prevail in a tight encounter at $1.80 (Bet365)
Also back the match to have 2+ goals scored within it at $1.20 (Bet365)
Whilst Aleksander Prijovic to score first at $4.50 could be sneakily well done (Bet365)
Sunday, May 15
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Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners4:05PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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With both the ‘Reds’ and the Mariners locked on twelve wins a piece for the season, these two teams were extremely and decisively matched and continue to be as well. With Adelaide in fourth, finishing just a single point ahead of the fifth placed Central Coast, 43-points vs 42. And going along the tagline of these two young, yet raring sides being almost inseparable from one another, the hosts are currently riding a five-game winning streak, whilst the visitors have won their previous four in a row. In addition, I will be repeating myself here, as I’ve harped on about it all campaign long. But the battle between Socceroos Attacker Craig Goodwin (nine goals this season) and should-be-Socceroos-Attacker Jason ‘Cum Dog’ Cummings (ten goals for the campaign), will be a truly special yet also feistily contested meeting that should have a significant impact on the overall result.
Meanwhile both sides head into this encounter off the back of some very encouraging results. For Adelaide, they dashed Western United’s hopes of finishing first with a clinical 2-1 home victory. As for the Central Coast, they suffocated Newcastle in the F3 Derby, triumphing 2-0 in Gosford. The ‘Reds’ shot an insane 11/19 attempts on target, as they channelled their inner ‘FIFA’ skills. Meanwhile the Mariners went 7/19 on target. Both Carl Veart’s and Nick Montgomery’s troops have proven to be very lethal with the ball as of late, only adding further emphasis to the conquest between the likes of Goodwin and Cummings.
This man started his professional career with the Adelaide Raiders back in 2009, is in his third stint with the ‘Reds’ and is the clubs highest ever goal-scorer, it’s Craig Goodwin of course! The 2018 Mark Viduka Medal recipient is undoubtedly the biggest player within this clash and with that comes a lot of responsibility. He has seven goal assists this season and seventy-six shot assists in total. He is the primary reason that Adelaide’s attack flows as smoothly as it does, and he is a major reason as to why his side have punched massively above their weight this season. He is a godsend to South Australian Football, as well as the A-League in general. With the Mariners boasting a high calibre of Attackers such as Jason Cummings, Marco Urena & Co, Goodwin will shoulder a lot of responsibility to counterattack for Adelaide in what should be a no doubt highly entertaining Elimination Final. The fait of the ‘Reds’ year rests in his hands, or more specifically at his feet.
*Key Statistic: From these two sides past six head-to-heads, they have been split right down the middle with three wins each!!!
Betting tips: Look for the Mariners to continue their tilt at the title with a triumph at $2.87 (Bet365)
Also look for both sides to score at least 1+ goals a piece at $1.57 (Bet365)
Meanwhile Jason Cummings to score anytime at $2.75 is also pretty good odds (Bet365)
Best Elimination Finals Picks –
Look for Western United vs Wellington to produce zero goals in the opening 00:00-09:59 at $1.22 (Bet365)
Also look for Adelaide vs the Central Coast’s matchup to fashion 12+ corners within it at $2.20 (Bet365)