The following are previews with betting tips for Round 8 of the 2022/23 A-League Mens season.
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Friday, December 16
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Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar7:45pm AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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The Jets head into their home clash against the Roar in questionable form, having failed to score a single strike in four of their last nine matches. As for the visitors they’ve been scarily similar and not in a good way, as they’ve failed to find the back of the net in three of their last six clashes.
Last time out on the Central Coast was a fun occasion all-round for Newcastle, as they weren’t afraid at all to flex their muscles in what was a well-deserved 2-1 F3 Derby victory over the Mariners. It took all of just 12-minutes for a flying Trent Buhagiar to open the scoring for the visitors, then on the 66-minute mark Beka Mikeltadze’s lethal header sealed the deal. Now less then two wins off of 2nd place, the Jets have some real momentum because of their commanding Derby dub. Meanwhile for Brisbane at home, they sealed a super dooper result by claiming a late and dramatic 1-1 draw with Adelaide. Heading into the 94th-minute it would have appeared as though Warren Moon’s Men would be left pointless from this clash. But then came Jay O’Shea to the rescue, as his smartly placed spot kick stole the Roar a point. Now they are ‘roaring’ back and are just two-points off a finals berth.
With star Striker or should I say ex-star Striker Charlie Austin and the Roar recently coming to terms on a mutual termination of his contract, there’s not a hell of a lot for Brisbane supporters to be happy about these days. The jubilation of their late heroics vs Adelaide will wear off rather quickly. Newcastle by 2+.
Betting tips: Pick Newcastle to win at $2.40 (BlueBet)
Also back them to score first at $1.95 (TexBet)
Saturday, December 17
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Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United1:00pm AEDT, Sky Stadium |
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Five of the last eight clashes in which Wellington have hosted Adelaide have seen the spoils shared. Meanwhile the Phoenix have also drawn three out of their last five contested games and United have done exactly the same!
For the ‘Nix’ their latest affair in Wollongong was a heated one, as they claimed a tense 1-1 draw against the Wanderers. And despite Bozhidar Kraev collecting his fourth goal in just seven games for the club, it was the moments after the game that perhaps mattered the most! Oli Sail wasn’t afraid to let his presence be felt getting into a bit of a rough housing tussle after the full-time whistle had been blown with some of the opposition lads. There were some promising signs shown from Wellington, who aren’t that far off a Top Six berth. Whilst for Adelaide they were sunk late in Brisbane, having to come to terms with a late 1-1 draw against the Roar. Despite George Blackwood opening the scoring for the visitors 72-minutes in, Jay O’Shea’s 94th-minute spot kick conversion, after a silly foul from Javi Lopez, saw the spoils regrettably shared. However currently in 3rd place the ‘Reds’ don’t have much to worry about at the moment.
Wellington have drawn three contests at home this season, whilst Adelaide have drawn three when playing on the road. Wellington however are on the verge of breaking through, while Adelaide looked a bit lethargic at times against Brisbane. It’ll be far from easy, but the ‘Nix’ should collect the dub here by 1+.
Betting tips: Look for a Wellington victory at $2.38 (BoomBet)
Also look for both teams to score 1+ goal each at $1.55 (BoomBet)
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Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC5:00pm AEDT, Central Coast Stadium |
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These two sides don’t mind a goal bounty when placed against one another with five + combined goals being scored over each of their last three head-to-head encounters. Their last clash saw the ‘Sky Blues’ edge out the Mariners on penalties in the Australia (formerly FFA) Cup.
During the Mariners latest match at Bluetongue Stadium they just weren’t good enough, this as they fell 2-1 to the Jets in the F3 Derby. Unfortunately for the home side it was ex-Mariner Trent Buhagiar who opened the scoring against them just 12-minutes in. And despite Jason Cummings equalling the score 53-minutes on with his third strike of the campaign, it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Shooting only 4/11 on target Nick Montgomery’s troops simply put didn’t take advantage of the chances that were afforded to them and for that they paid the price. As things currently stand, they’re on the outside of the Top Six looking in. As for Sydney FC they were nothing but brilliant in their surprising, yet well-deserved 2-1 home victory over Melbourne City. And despite a Luke Brattan handball gifting City the lead 22-minutes in, just a mere one-minute later Joe Lolley found gold. Whilst a header to substitute Adam Le Fondre in the second half ultimately sealed the win for Steve Corica’s side. In 4th place at the moment Sydney appear to be looking a lot better then that of what they were not all that long ago.
When you beat Melbourne City your stocks rise instantly! Joe Lolley is on fire, Max Burgess is the league’s new and inform Midfielder, while there’s still Robert Mak to return. And don’t forget the ‘Sky Blues’ love a nice trip up the coast. Sydney by 2+.
Betting tips: Back a Sydney triumph at $2.50 (BlueBet)
Also don’t be afraid to pick the ‘Sky Blues’ to strike first at $2.05 (TexBet)
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Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory7:45pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Three out of the last five Derbies between City and Victory have resulted in toughly contested draws, with those scorelines being 1-1, 2-2 and 1-1. However when they last versed one another it was a 2-0 City triumph on that occasion, as they scored two goals over a divine three-minute period, 17th-19th-minutes via a Jamie Maclaren spot kick, then a Cadete own goal.
Playing their first game under new head coach Rado Vidosic, City got off to a rough start with a 2-1 loss to Sydney at Allianz Stadium. Despite Jamie Maclaren banging in his ninth goal of the season to date, early on in the first half, they were eventually over run by a more hungrier and a more determined home side. However despite being on the losing end of the proceedings, there were still some positives to take away from their performance. One being the fact that they still managed to get away 13 shots vs Sydney’s defence. Whilst Marco Tillio also looked lively when he came on as a second half substitute. He had two shots at goal, one of which thundered off the crossbar, made six accurate passes and even won an aerial duel. It shan’t be stressed too much though as they’re still currently 1st. As for the Victory they got it done in a tight and tense way, after they bested the ‘Bulls’ 1-0 in Campbelltown. A fast and slicing Ben Folami saw him stick in the winner six-minutes from full-time, much to the delight of the travelling away fans. Tony Popovic’s Men were average for the majority of the game, but ultimately it’s a credit to them that they still managed to collect the victory. In 5th place, they’re looking pretty good so far.
In protest of Danny Townsend and his deplorable Grand Final choice, both sets of active supporting fans will be marching out of AAMI Park when the 20-minute mark hits. We all know what an advantage the Victory’s fanbase is to them. But as for City, they perhaps will have the edge when there’s less noise involved. The Victory care and will keep it close, but City as has been the recent Melbourne Derby theme will be too good. City by 1+.
Betting tips: Look for City to edge out this Derby affair at $2.10 (BlueBet)
And look for Jamie ‘Macca’ Maclaren to score anytime at $1.78 (BoomBet)
Sunday, December 18
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Western United v Western Sydney Wanderers3:00pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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The ‘Green & Black’ have tasted success just once over the course of their last eight contests. Meanwhile in stark contrast the ‘Red & Black’ have won four out of their last eight games. And as for when they last played each other, Western United came out on top winning 3-2, despite the fact that they had only 34% possession of the ball that day.
Travelling over to Perth to play the Glory is quite a tough ask these days and unfortunately for Western United they found that out the hard way in what was a tough defeat for John Aloisi & Co. Two wonder strikes ultimately curtailed the ‘Green & Black’, despite Neil Kilkenny doing his best efforts in the 83rd-minute to pull back the match against his old employers, as his free kick was difficult for Liam Reddy to thwart. However it wasn’t to end without controversy though, as late on, 97-minutes on to be exact, reported want-away Defender Leo Lacroix was shown a red card for violent conduct and given his marching orders. And despite being rooted in 12th place there is some hope. Sitting just five points outside of the Top Six, if they can get some sort of momentum going then finals Football isn’t out of the equation. Meanwhile for the Wanderers they claimed a closely contested 1-1 draw against the Phoenix via Yeni N’Gbakoto’s 79th-minute strike. This was the ex-QPR Forward’s first goal for the club and boy oh boy it couldn’t have come at a better time! Having shot 8/14 on target Western Sydney were pretty lethal, in part thanks to the DR Congo international’s strike. And in 2nd spot on the ladder, they can only get better and better the more goals players such as himself start to bang in.
Although Western United showed some signs of improvement last time out against Perth, Western Sydney are a different beast all together this season. One that’s not too be messed around with! The Wanderers should take this one out by 2+.
Betting tips: Back the ‘Red & Black’ to win this one at $2.40 (BlueBet)
Also look for both teams to find refuge in the back of the net at $1.64 (BoomBet)
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Macarthur FC v Perth Glory5:00pm AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium |
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Macarthur head into their clash against Perth having won just one out of their last three matches at home. As for the Glory, they’ve also won just one of their last three games on the road. However, when they last went head-to-head the ‘Bulls’ came out on top at home, winning 4-2. That day they peppered away 25 shots at the Glory’s goal, whilst they themselves still took 12 shots. So we can only hope for more of the same in this encounter.
It just wasn’t to be at Campbelltown Stadium last round as Macarthur suffered a tough-to-swallow 1-0 defeat against the Melbourne Victory. Heading into the 84th-minute the scores were locked at nil-all, that was before a pacy Ben Folami made the hosts pay with a smartly placed strike that left Filip Kurto in stitches. However for Dwight Yorke’s Men one of their biggest concerns from the day was their shooting, as they landed just 2/15 on target. They’ll beat absolutely no side in Australia doing that! In only 7th place though the sky is absolutely still the limit for them. Meanwhile for Perth they were too good and too classy in their utterly convincing 2-1 victory over Western United. They put on a real good show for the supporters at Macedonia Park as Ryan William’s 14th-minute strike was the stuff of Footballing beauty, as he scored from the corner kick. And 38-minutes later Jack Clisby’s long-range curler was equally as awesome! They shot 7/13 on target overall, as they really were not afraid to kick it against the reigning champs. And being only just three points outside of the Top Six, there’s plenty left for them to achieve this campaign yet.
Surely Macarthur can’t go two of 15 again can they? And their quality of chances afforded to them should no doubt improve ten-fold against the Glory. Back the ‘Bulls’ to run in horns first and come out on top by 1+.
Betting tip: Look for a ‘Bulls’ victory at $2.04 (BoomBet)
Also back Lachlan ‘Lachie’ Rose to score anytime at $2.96 (BoomBet)
Best Bets of the Round – Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory
Look for City to edge out this Derby affair at $2.10 (BlueBet)
And look for Jamie ‘Macca’ Maclaren to score anytime at $1.78 (BoomBet)