The following are previews with betting tips for Round 14 of the 2022/23 A-League Mens season.
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Thursday, January 26
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Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC6:45pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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This ‘Big Blue’ matchup should be renamed the ‘Pittance Blue’ given how horribly each side have performed this season. From 13 matches contested the Victory are dead last having picked up just 11 points to their name, whilst for the ‘Sky Blues’ their outgoings too have been woeful, with just four triumphs from 13 games played. For the hosts their latest affair probably made them feel like they really were cheated on, as headed into the 80th-minute the match was locked at 1-1 against the Glory at Macedonia Park. However two sublime efforts in eight-minutes from Adam Taggart quickly curtailed Tony Popovic’s & Cos prospects of sharing the spoils. Meanwhile for the visiting Sydney they suffered a hearty 1-0 defeat against Western United at North Hobart Oval, as an insane 86th-minute strike from Alessandro Diamanti saw him chip the ball from close to the halfway line, over a waddling Andrew Redmayne and into the back of the bulging net. This intense rivalry if nothing else will present both sides with a chance to restore some pride back onto their respective badges.
If one of the two rivals could possibly justify their shoddy form then you couldn’t really blame Melbourne could you? The club is in debt to the APL and was a major part of one of the most horrific sporting violence acts ever witnessed in Australia not that long ago via their Derby matchup against City. But what is Sydney FC’s excuse. They’re in the spanking, brand new Allianz Stadium, they brought over players such as Joe Lolley and Robert Mak to represent the club this season and Andrew Redmayne, the Goal Keeper who literally gift wrapped the Socceroos a World Cup berth is in fact a ‘Sky Blue’ player. But with the rudderless Steve Corica manning the ship and the spineless Adam Santo looking over things, none of that other ‘fancy’ stuff matters. This will be one hell of a fight, as these intense matchups always are, however the Victory are at least showing some signs of life at the moment, whereas Sydney are not. A tight Victory victory is on the cards here.
Betting tips: Look for both sides to find refuge in the back of the net at $1.61 (BoomBet)
Also look for the collective corners in the match to be at nine or over at $1.33 (Bet365)
Friday, January 27
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Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar7:45pm AEDT, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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Newcastle and Brisbane are two teams that are incredibly difficult to get an accurate picture of so far this campaign. Because when you asses Newcastle they began the season by humbling Perth at home, 3-1, in the Australia Cup. A dominant performance which saw them shoot 9/19 attempted shots on target, in addition to having owned 58% possession of the ball. But then fast forwarding to their latest endeavours at McDonald Jones Stadium, they were leading 1-0 against the Wanderers thanks to a sensational header from Angus Thurgate, before a stupid foul from the very same attacker in the second-half gave Western Sydney an easy spot kick opportunity which they took full advantage of, with the end result being a 1-1 draw. Whilst the Roar themselves are currently occupied just four points off 3rd spot, yet they’ve also only claimed all three points just the once from eight attempts so far at home this season. This really is a matchup that could toss up anything and that’s what we should all be preparing for. For better or for worse.
Gone is Charlie Austin, as is Cyrus Dehmie from the Roar, however arriving at the club is exciting Attacking Midfielder Marcel Canadi. Having previously been on the books at Borussia Monchengladbach, Brisbane fans should be pumped for his debut, which should hopefully, fingers crossed, come against the Jets. The 27-year-old was most recently named on the bench during their draw against City in Redcliffe. But with Brisbane facing the lowly Jets in this match, this game seems like the perfect opportunity to release him on Arthur Papas’s side and see what he’s capable of. He is a threat who should no doubt worry Jack Duncan in the Jets goals and he might possibly be just what Warren Moon’s troops need at the moment. Regardless of what occurs, he is definitely one to keep an eye on in this match.
Betting tips: Look for no goals to be scored inside the games opening 10-minutes at $1.14 (Bet365)
However you can also look for the Roar to open the scoring at $1.83 (Bet365)
Saturday, January 28
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Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory1:00pm AEDT, Central Energy Trust Arena |
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The Phoenix at the conclusion of their latest two matches have ended with a good old fashioned melee against the opposition. Oli Sail hasn’t been afraid to get his hands dirty, with his players not afraid to back him up either. And competing against their arch-rivals the Glory in a contest that has been affectionately nicknamed the ‘Distance Derby’, there’ll certainly be no love lost between the two sides. Because Perth have exactly 5,270KMs of travel time between their state and the country of New Zealand to think about how they’ll topple Wellington in this exciting rivalry. And they will sure as hell need to use every possible moment to come up with a game plan, given they’ve lost 12 of their last 14 games out on the road. Adam Taggart who produced two goals upon his return to the Glory will be as crucial as ever, as will the ability of Ruben Zadkovich to out coach Phoenix legend Ufuk Talay. This matchup never ever disappoints and I don’t expect it to start doing so here.
The last time these two teams went to battle in the ‘Nix’s’ territory a 90+7-minute winner was forged through Nicholas Pennington for the hosts, as he joyously won the match in front of a small, but vocal crowd for Wellington at Leichhardt Oval. That exciting and tense matchup featured three goals, 21 total shots and one red card. While prior to that at Eden Park, before a massive crowd of 22,233 spectators, these two rivals settled for a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw. The hosts peppered away 24 shots at the Glory’s goals, while they also screwed up an opportunity to steal away all three points on the 89-minute mark as Ulises Davila missed his spot kick attempt. When it’s a Wellington home game, for whatever reason, these two sides evidently turn it on. And with both teams having recently hit a rich vein of form there is no reason that this ‘Distance Derby’ should be any different from that of its predecessors. This is going to be a fun, fun, fun game.
Betting tips: Both sides will absolutely flog each other here and as a result you can back over 2.5 goals to be fashioned throughout at $1.90 (Bet365)
Also back the ‘Nix’ to open said scoring at $1.50 (Bet365)
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Macarthur FC v Western United5:00pm AEDT, Campbelltown Stadium |
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Dwight Yorke reportedly referred to Macarthur as a ‘pub team’ and he also reportedly called the club a ‘joke’ in comments that were supposedly made to the entire team, in front of the chairman, after their most recent defeat away in Adelaide. Suffice to say mutual termination was the result of that outburst, as the ex-Manchester United legend and Sydney FC marquee Man is no longer associated with the club in any capacity. And in his place comes the ever reliable Mile Sterjovski. He a Man who previously played 43X matches for the Socceroos and somebody who already understands the club from the bottom through to the top having previously been an assistant coach with them from 2020 through till just recently. As for the ‘Green & Black’ their situation isn’t all that much better, Their Championship ‘hangover’ has continued to bite them on the arse as they’ve won only 4/13 matches this season and sit 12 points off 1st place. Rumours continue to circulate about multiple members of the club wanting out, including diamonds to rocks Defender Leo Lacroix. Whilst John Aloisi seems constantly devoid of answers with regards to the clubs woeful form. In the battle of the two expansion sides at least one should hopefully be able to put the past treacherous week behind them with a victory.
To anyone who reads these articles and follows one of Macarthur or Western United I do apologise but this match could essentially be billed as ‘The battle of the Fox Sports love children’, or ‘One vs Two, two teams that nobody wanted’. But I do believe that some of the criticism that’s aimed at each of these two respective teams is what continues to drive them. To the ‘Bulls’ credit they already collected a historic Australia Cup trophy under the ‘then guidance’ of Dwight Yorke earlier this campaign. Whilst the ‘Green & Black’ already have one Championship to their name, the exact same number as that of what arch-rivals Melbourne City posses. With both sides in piss poor form, the ‘Bulls’ really need their leaky defence to step up to the plate more, as they’ve conceded seven goals over the course of their last three losses, which have occurred in their last four matches. Meanwhile prior to their win against Sydney FC, Western United had battled to a draw against the struggling Jets and been thrashed 4-0 by City. So once again I repeat this match is the perfect opportunity for either side to start picking up the pieces to their puzzle for the season that has been so far.
Betting tips: Back a ‘Bulls’ victory at $2.32 (BoomBet)
Also back H2 to be the highest scoring one at $2.04 (BoomBet)
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Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers7:45pm AEDT, Industree Group Stadium |
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The ‘Yellow Army’ have won five of eight games at home this campaign, that while the Wanderers have struggled greatly away from the confines of Parramatta, winning just 2/7 clashes on the road. That was highlighted greatly in their last round flustering against the Jets in Newcastle. A match which saw a converted Oliver Bozanic penalty be their only strike of the game, despite landing 9/14 shots on target. And on top of that they also owned 63% possession of the ball. The ‘Red & Black’ appear to be greatly missing the influential presence of Milos Ninkovic in the Midfield (injury). Whilst Forward Sulejman Krpic hasn’t worked out as expected at all, as he has just two goals from 13 matches this season. And the 32-year-old ex-Bosnian Premier League Top Goal Scorer is also averaging just a measly 69-minutes per game. The Wanderers have certainly shown enough this year that they can exploit a ‘flairy’ type of side such as the Mariners, as evidenced through their 4-0 romp of the ‘Bulls’ only a few weeks ago. But … the Central Coast are on a whole different level to them this season and as a result I expect them to take the cake here.
To the Wanderers credit they are reportedly looking to add an ex-Manchester United star to their sputtering attack. Their attack has scored just 14 goals from 17 games so far as per AussieScout which just isn’t good enough if they wan’t to be competing come the business end of the campaign. They had just the solitary strike versus Newcastle last round, while prior to that against City they had just two shots the entire game. And before that they were kept scoreless against the Glory and ultimately it’s an issue that’s plagued them all season long. Meanwhile in stark comparison the Mariners have conjured up 11 goals over their last four appearances at home. Again and I emphasise this strongly, I expect the Central Coast to collect the victory in this tasty affair.
Betting tips: Look for an appetising Mariners win at $2.00 (BlueBet)
And look for them to score first too at $1.57 (Bet365)
Sunday, January 29
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Melbourne City v Adelaide United3:00pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Throughout Melbourne and Adelaide’s last five straight matches at AAMI Park, 3+ goals have been scored on each and every occasion. And with another goal fest expected here, this should be an incredibly entertaining matchup. Because for the hosts you have Socceroos World Cup Striker Jamie Maclaren who has already banged in a historic 13 strikes this season facing off against fellow Socceroos teammate Craig Goodwin. Goodwin a Man who’s Adelaide side sit just three points off 2nd place as things currently stand. Whilst on the season the experienced and swifty Midfielder has scored five goals, along with having assisted four, from just 12 games played. But then you also have the young threats such as 21-year-old Marco Tilio going up against a resurgent Adelaide Goal Keeper in the form of 22-year-old Joe Gauci. Gauci being a Man who has made some simply incredible stops as of late and a player who is averaging an impressive 3.85 saves per match on the season. This encounter has everything and is the absolute perfect excuse as to why you should spend your Sunday afternoon watching Football.
The amount of talent on display in this encounter is simply eye watering and will make even the most average of supporters want to watch this one somehow. The Socceroos, the youngsters, the venue. This game well and truly will have it all. However equally as important as that, a win for Melbourne will further solidify the fact that they are indeed the team to both catch and then beat this campaign, because from 12 games played, they have just the one loss next to their name, which is honestly pretty impressive stuff. Meanwhile for the ‘Reds’ their form has gone up and then dipped at various stages throughout the season so far, but they’ve always remained on course to be successful under the watchful eye of head coach Carl Veart. This game is just perfect. There’s really no other way to describe it.
Betting tips: Bet on a City dub at $1.53 (BlueBet)
Also bet on them to produce the games last goal at $1.50 (BoomBet)
Best Bets of the Round – Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC
Look for both sides to find refuge in the back of the net at $1.61 (BoomBet)
Also look for the collective corners in the match to be at nine or over at $1.33 (Bet365)