The following are previews with betting tips for Round 9 of the 2022/23 A-League Mens season.
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Friday, December 23
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Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix10:30pm AEDT, Macedonia Park |
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Macedonia Park has become somewhat of a fortress for the ever expanding Glory this season, as they’ve won their past two games on the trot playing in their home state. Most recently they collected an illusive 2-1 win over reigning champions Western United, while prior to that they ousted Melbourne City 2-0 in a result that no one saw coming. However as good as they’ve been in those pair of clashes, their most recent one in Campbelltown left a lot to be desired, falling 1-0 to the ‘Bulls’. Perth were only able to land 1/7 shots on target, as they appeared to lack any real fire power or urgency. In stark comparison to the Phoenix however, they were commanding at home, smashing the ‘Reds’ 3-1. Goals in the 2nd minute – Oskar Zawada, 37th minute – Bozhidar Kraev and 61st minute – Yan Sasse, combined with them landing 8/17 goal attempts on target, saw them surge all the way to within just three-points off of 3rd-place. Will the right Perth Glory turn up to play, or does this match have Wellington written all over it?
With the Phoenix having prevailed in five of their last seven matches against Perth, it may be time for the Glory to finally switch the script up and give Ufuk Talay’s Men a taste of their own medicine. And with new arrival Adam Taggart recently being acquired by the club and with the Glory on the up and up, now may be the perfect time to do so. All in all for Perth the target shooter Taggart has collectively scored 21 A-League goals across 44-matches. Ultimately though the key for Perth will be putting in a consistent 90-minute + performance, because they’ve been incredible in bits and pieces this season, but have rarely displayed the full package. If they can do that, then they’ll rightfully give themselves every chance possible of collecting all three-points from this matchup.
Betting tips: Pick both teams to find the back of the net at $1.60 (BoomBet)
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Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers7:45pm AEDT, Moreton Daily Stadium |
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The Roar’s latest efforts up in the Hunter Valley were far from pretty, but ultimately it didn’t matter one single bit as they cosigned the Jets to their fourth defeat of the season, via Nikola Mileusnic’s 80th-minute winner. That being his 26th total A-League strike of his career. His victorious strike somehow being forged, despite the visitors only owning 36% possession of the ball throughout the encounter. And to their credit Brisbane remain undefeated on the road this campaign, having collected a win and a draw from two games. Meanwhile Western Sydney’s recent away form has been patchy to say the least! As from their last eighteen away games in total, they’ve picked up just three victories to their name. The latest of those coming at AAMI Park, as they suffered a tight and tense 1-0 defeat to Western United at AAMI Park. Despite taking nine shots to the oppositions four, collecting four corners to their one and owning 60% off the ball, it was not enough to help see Mark Rudan’s Men over the line in the end. Does Brisbane’s dominance continue on here, or do Western Sydney have something to say about it?
What do Brisbane and Western Sydney have in common? They are both fallen Footballing powerhouses aiming to seek redemption this campaign and to be fair to both sides, they’re doing a fair job of it. The Roar sit just four-points off of the Wanderers, whilst the Wanderers themselves are etched comfortably into second-place on the table. There is also Warren Moon (aged 40) leading the lines at Brisbane and Mark Rudan (aged 47), doing the same thing over at the Wanderers. Both Men just like their respective clubs over the past few years have had mixed managerial results. So this game presents the perfect opportunity for each of the two to asses how they go tactics-wise and gameplay-wise against somebody who is relatively their equal. This match is anybody’s for the taking and should present itself as a great must watch.
Betting tips: Look for both teams to score one plus goal a piece at $1.70 (BlueBet)
Also look for there to be over 2.5 goals scored collectively at $1.90 (Bet365)
Saturday, December 24
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Sydney FC v Macarthur FC5:00PM AEDT, Allianz Stadium |
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When these two intense rivals last locked ‘horns’ it was a battle for the ages. Robert Mak missed the spot kick opportunity only 14-minutes in, however bull tamer Patrick Wood was there for the second-chance which made the score 1-0 in the ‘Sky Blues’ favour. Then fast-forward towards the end of the first half and it was rival Defender Johnathan Aspropotamitis who was given his marching orders via Alex King. Proceed to the 83rd-minute and Sydney have scored their third of the game, courtesy of young gun Adrian Segecic. Yet just four-minutes on Anthony Carter’s banger meant that it was an incredibly thrilling finish to a game, witnessed by just over 7000 people at Campbelltown Stadium. And with Sydney currently placed just two-points off third-place and with Dwight Yorke’s troops only three-points off second-spot on the ladder, there is plenty to play for at Allianz Stadium. Can Sydney collect another victory in this short, but intensity filled rivalry, or will Macarthur claim the bragging rights from this affair?
From four home matches this season Sydney have been a real basket base, winning one, drawing one and losing two from four attempts. Whilst they’ve also scored six, yet leaked seven at Allianz Stadium. After four-years of essentially being homeless, the much-anticipated return to Moore Park was supposed to be the clubs rejuvenation period. Instead they’ve really stunk up the joint! And with Macarthur coming to town right on Christmas Eve, Sydney might just be getting coal in their stockings. 23-Year-old Daniel Arzani has been very effective for Macarthur this season, scoring one goal and fashioning two goal assists + nine shot assists. Over the off-season the ‘Sky Blues’ were heavily linked to the former Socceroos playmaker, but eventually as seen he signed with the ‘Bulls’. There is the very real potential for Macarthur to run away with this clash and for Arzani to make Sydney regret missing out on his signature in the process.
Betting tips: Look for Joe Lolley to find refuge in the back of the net anytime at $2.75 (Bet365)
Also look for Macarthur to produce under 1.5 strikes at $1.30 (Bet365)
Monday, December 26
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Western United v Melbourne Victory7:45pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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There is still so much that is unknown about this Derby following the events of last Saturday night. At its worst, this match may be completely devoid of Victory supporters. Or depending on how things go over the next couple of days this may be a game in which the Victory are simply playing for pride, due to a possible points deduction. One thing that is for certain though is that both teams will go out there and give it their absolute all. Despite the ‘Green & Black’ currently being in 11th-place and the Victory just two spots above them, try telling a James Troisi that this affair doesn’t matter! He a man who has played for the Victory previously, left and then has come back to them years later, only to leave again and become a member of John Aloisi’s never say never Men. Or maybe you’d rather pick your fancy with superb Uruguayan-born striker Bruno Fornaroli, a Man who has previously represented Melbourne City and now represents the colours of Melbourne Victory. This clash does matter and it is a rivalry! Will we see the reigning champions rise to stardom once again, or will Melbourne rise from the ashes of their week from hell?
During his first season playing for the Victory, James Troisi scored 12 goals in 29 A-League matches. Then from 2016 through to 2019 he played 76 club games for Melbourne, locking down 15 goals + 17 assists. The former Juventus Man has certainly torn opposition teams to shreds whilst representing the most successful Footballing franchise in Melbourne. And now plying his trade for Western United it would most definitely appear that he’s primed for a simply MASSIVE performance against his ex-employers. This season under the guidance of John Aloisi he has aged like fine win producing one goal assist, as well as eight shot assists in seven matches. While he’s also completed 250 accurate passes at a 79% completion rate. Plus out of the 11 tackles he’s attempted. he’s successfully won eight of them. This is his time! And don’t expect him to pass it up!
Betting tips: Look for both teams to score at $1.65 (BoomBet)
Tuesday, December 27
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Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners5:00pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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For City their latest clash was the infamous Melbourne Derby, one of the darkest days Football in this country has ever seen. In the lead-up to Tom Glover being brutally assaulted by some Melbourne Victory thugs, Aiden O’Neil had scored early on in the proceedings. As for the Mariners they led a commanding fightback at Bluetongue Stadium to beat Sydney 2-1. 11-Minutes in they went down 1 and 0 courtesy of a well-worked opposition Paulo Retre strike. However on the 36th-minute they evened the proceedings thanks to Marco Tulio’s goal, then just three-minutes later the comeback was complete, via Daniel Hall’s thunderous header, as he smashed it into the centre of the net leaving Andrew Redmayne utterly helpless. And only adding to the intrigue surrounding this high octane affair is the fact that Melbourne City are yet to be beaten at home this season, while Garang Kuol’s Mariners are yet to lose on the road. To City’s credit they’ve won three and drawn one, while the Mariners have won one and drawn one, fashioning an impressive five goals in the process. This affair could belong to anybody, so will it be Melbourne or the Central Coast who eventually take it out?
Since Patrick Kisnorbo departed City mid-World Cup they have gone down 2-1 to Sydney away from home and played roughly about 20-minutes versus the Victory before the game was abandoned due to hooligan behaviour. So it’s not all that fair to judge them so far, but they ain’t exactly looked like the Melbourne of old, that’s all I’m saying. However what’s incredibly tantalisingly tasty about this clash is that City’s Socceroo trio of Jamie Maclaren, Matthew Leckie and Marco Tilio will go head-to-head against the Mariners own Socceroo’s trio of Jason Cummings ala ‘the Cum Dog’, Garang Kuol and Danny Vuckovic. After all that’s happened to try and bring down the A-Leagues as of late, this is an incredible/much needed boost for the game in Australia in general. Either watch it live or on tv if you can! This has the very strong potential to be one of the GAMES of the SEASON.
Betting tips: Look for City to edge this encounter out, just, at $1.66 (BlueBet)
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Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets7:45pm AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Despite Adelaide’s disappointing away 3-1 defeat to Wellington last round, they’ve still been extremely impressive at home as of late, triumphing in seven and drawing one of their last nine home matches. That stacks up very well against Newcastle, who despite beating the Central Coast 2-1 during their latest away outing in the F3 Derby, have won only one of their last four encounters away from the confines of McDonald Jones Stadium. But back to the stark reality is the fact that over in New Zealand the ‘Reds’ could only muster up a grand total of five shots throughout 90+ minutes of playing time. And if it weren’t for Craig Goodwin’s brilliant free-kick on the 12-minute mark, they would’ve been completely embarrassed. Meanwhile Newcastle couldn’t do too well at home as they were edged out 1-0 by Brisbane. And despite owning 64% possession of the ball throughout the match, they stuttered their way to shooting just 2/7 shots on target throughout the affair, although they did very unluckily have two of their shots bounce off the woodwork. Can Adelaide collect their rebound victory in this match, or will that title belong to Newcastle?
Craig Goodwin playing in the sanctity of his own home could absolutely torch the Jets in this encounter! However Beka Mikeltadze has still registered two goals this season for Newcastle, as has the ever-pacy and somewhat of an x-factor Trent Buhagiar. As evidenced of late neither team has all that strong of a back-wall, so the attack is where the game will be won. Because in their last 10 games, Adelaide have only kept a clean sheet once. While for Newcastle in every single one of their nine A-League/Australia Cup matches this campaign, not once have they kept the opposition team at bay for a full 90-minutes. Will Goodwin be the difference here? Probably. But before conceding defeat, at least expect Arthur Papas’s Men to give it a red hot crack!
Betting tips: Back Adelaide to win at $1.97 (BlueBet)
Best Bet of the Round – Adelaide United vs Newcastle Jets
Back Adelaide to win at $1.97 (BlueBet)