The following are previews with betting tips for Round 15 of the 2022/23 A-League Mens season.
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Friday, February 3
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Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix7:45pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Last round the Victory’s already faltering campaign took yet another big hit as they suffered a 2-1 loss to the Sky Blues in what many were calling the ‘El Sackicko’ out at AAMI Park in their traditional Australia Day clash. Despite going up 1-0 thanks to an absolute peach of a free kick conversion from Jake Brimmer, two sublime strikes from the opposition saw them sunk hard. With that being their eighth loss from 13 matches played this season. Meanwhile the Phoenix played out a very entertaining, but also an extremely disappointing 2-2 draw at the Central Trust Energy Arena against Perth. Despite scoring two goals inside the games opening 20-minutes through Oskar Zawada and Kosta Barbarouses, they would capitulate after that, owning just 37% of the ball throughout the match. Tim Payne’s 56th-minute red card certainly doing them no favours either. A result which sees Wellington stuck in 4th, albeit just two-points off 2nd (21 vs 23-points). Both sides will no doubt be seeking more positive outcomes in this affair.
Against Sydney last round Melbourne looked very lethargic for large parts of the match. Their defence was uninspiring, while their offence was also pretty none existent bar the efforts of one Jake Brimmer. Wellington on the other hand head into this clash off the back of four consecutive wins and two straight games in which they’ve produced two goals on each occasion. And with the Phoenix’s confidence sky hight at the moment and Melbourne well and truly being in the cellars, this matchup should heavily favour Ufuk Talay & Co. As the ‘Nix’ displayed against Perth over the weekend they can do a lot of damage with very little, so even if Tony Popovic’s Men relentlessly attack them Oli Sail we hold his visitors in good stead. And when it comes to their time to attack, they will pounce! Wellington it must also be noted have suffered just a single defeat away from home this season, so all the positives are really bouncing in for them currently. The Victory need to channel some pride for their jersey in this matchup otherwise the Phoenix will be all over them and it’s as simple as that.
Betting tips: Bet on both teams to score at $1.61 (Bet365)
However you can also bet on the match only having three or under goals within it at $1.40 (Bet365)
Saturday, February 4
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Melbourne City v Macarthur FC5:00pm AEDT, AAMI Park |
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Despite conceding the opening goal of the match inside it’s first 33-seconds and going down 3-1, City found a way to claw back last weekend and share the spoils at AAMI Park, in what can only be described as an incredibly tough 3-3 stalemate versus the ‘Reds’. It was for both better and worse a game that really did have it all. For better clinical Socceroo’s Striker and Melbourne star-Man Jamie Maclaren moved up to 4th place on the all-time Australian national league scoring list, whilst for worse rival Adelaide man Juan suffered a horrific leg break. However taking only a point won’t be of much bother to Rado Vidosic’s troops as they still remain comfortably in 1st place, sitting five-points ahead of 2nd, with a GD of +16 and still having lost only one matchup on the season. As for Macarthur playing at their home venue of Campbelltown Stadium they put on an entertaining show for their loyal supporters in the first match of their post-Dwight Yorke era, as they drew 2-2 against last seasons champions Western United. Jed Drew must’ve thought he’d sealed all three-points for the hosts in the 81st-minute with his clinical left-footed effort. But it wasn’t to be as as rival Forward Nicolas Milanovic forged an equaliser eight-minutes later. A red card to Keanu Baccus on the 49-minute mark made life incredibly difficult in the second-half for the ‘Bulls’. Suffice to say both teams have set the scene for a fun matchup here.
AAMI Park has been an absolute fortress for Melbourne City this season! Make no two guesses about it. From six games played there they have won four, drawn two, lost none, scored 16 goals and conceded only six. In particular Thomas Lam the 27X Finland international Defender has been a massive part of the reason as to why that is. Making the switch from CSKA Sofia to City over the off-season the former Johan Crujff Shield victor has already bagged one goal for Melbourne, in addition to having completed 9/15 tackles. He’s also won 57% of all his attempted duels at 32/56. And he’s also conjured up a handy four shot assists as well. The 29-year-old is relentless at the back for City. And playing up against a Macarthur side that has scored 2+ goals in three of it’s last six games, he will have to be on high-alert for anything that they might potentially throw at him. However all things going as expected I’d pick him to play a crucial role in a quality Melbourne victory.
Betting tips: Pick a City win at $1.40 (TexBet)
Also pick the on fire Jamie Maclaren to score anytime at $1.55 (TexBet)
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Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners5:00pm AEDT, Allianz Stadium |
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With Steve Corica’s job on the line he dug in deep to pull up a surprise 2-1 victory over Sydney’s arch rivals the Victory in their traditional Australia Day ‘Big Blue’ rivalry. A Max Burgess belter from the edge of the box and a divine Joe Lolley assist to set up Adam Le Fondre saw the now 8th-placed ‘Sky Blues’ go merrily on their way at AAMI Park. For Burgess it was the perfect way to score his opening goal of the domestic season, whilst for Le Fondre his strike was a much needed confidence booster after his horror show against Wellington not that long ago. Meanwhile for the Central Coast their supporters were treated to some simply scintillating Football at home as two slashing strikes via Samuel Silvera 30th-minute and Jason Cummings 73rd-minute saw them on their way to a 2-2 draw against the Wanderers. The highly entertaining affair saw both sides have chances to win it late on as there was a total of four shots attempted in added time. What more could you possibly want from this affair then the likes of Adam Le Fondre & Joe Lolley going to battle against Jason ‘Cum Dog’ Cummings & Samuel Silvera. It’s literally a battle made in heaven!
These two sides never fail to disappoint when pitted against one another. Graham Arnold absolutely loved facing off against his former team on the sidelines. Because who can forget one infamous press conference when post full-time he swaggered in throwing fake dollar bills in the air in a response to the Mariners essentially saying he only got his success with Sydney because of all the money he spent. Matt Simon’s defection certainly caused a few stirs as well. Both from the Mariners to the ‘Sky Blues’, then back from them and to Gosford again. The ‘Wizard of Woy Woy’ never backing down no matter which team he was representing. Then in the Australia Cup not too long ago Sydney knocked the Central Coast out on penalties, as Andrew Redmayne trash talked Jason Cummings a bit in the lead up to his attempt. Whilst in the prior seasons edition it was the Mariners who knocked the ‘Sky Blues’ out at Kogarah after a very controversial penalty call went their way. There is a strong disdain between these two rivals and that should again be on full display at Allianz Stadium this Saturday night.
Betting tip: Bet on both teams to find at least one goal a piece at $1.60 (TexBet)
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Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar7:45pm AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Juande suffered a horrible leg break in his sides most recent 3-3 draw against City at AAMI Park and I hope when he does return to the field that he’s back bigger, better and stronger as ever. My personal wishes and condolences go out to him. But putting aside that tragedy, Adelaide opened the scoring on the 33-second mark! Yep you read that right, just 33-seconds into the game! It came courtesy of Melbourne Attacker Marco Tillio’s blunder inside the box and George Blackwood pounced. However the ‘Reds’ could also in some regards be described as stupid and ones who lacked discipline after Jamie Maclaren converted the hosts 92nd-minute equaliser after an unwarranted Aleksander Popovic foul inside the box. Adelaide to their credit are currently in 5th place and only one victory off of 2nd. As for the Roar they put in an insipid effort against the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium last round, as they were thrashed 4-0. Brisbane shot 4/12 on target and had their chances to find refuge in the back of the net, but ultimately it was a thoroughly disappointing performance in what was their fourth loss of the campaign. A game which as a result currently sees them languishing around in 10th place. With a top-two spot on the line for the ‘Reds’ and with the finals still being very achievable for the Roar, there is plenty to play for in this all-crucial matchup.
Adelaide have won nine and drawn two of their last 13 home matches overall as they have made South Australia an incredibly difficult place to travel to. An absolutely beautiful area, but one where you have to face off against Socceroos sensation Craig Goodwin, Japanese poacher Hiroshi Ibusuki and young Goalkeeping sensation Joe Gauci week-in week-out! And that’s not even including the likes of Ben Halloran who has registered three goals and two assists this season or George Blackwood, who once again I repeat scored just 33-seconds into his sides clash versus City away from home last round. The ‘Reds’ suffice to say have a very well-rounded and versatile team at the moment, led by ex-Adelaide United and Adelaide City legend Carl Veart, a Man who previously won one A-League Premiership and two NSL Championships. Brisbane on the other hand have won just two of their six away games this campaign as they’ve struggled to forge any real consistency under the guidance of Warren Moon. Regardless of whether it’s close or a blowout, Adelaide should hypothetically have this one in the bag.
Betting tips: Look for a ‘Reds’ victory at $2.04 (BoomBet)
Also look for them to score first at $1.61 (Bet365)
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Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets10:30pm AEDT, Macedonia Park |
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After going down 2-0 in Palmerston North, New Zealand, last round against the Phoenix, it would’ve been very easy for the Glory to pack it in. However one Wellington red card later, a clinical strike from David Williams just two-minutes after the ‘Nix’s’ second goal and an 80th-minute bullet header from again David Williams, they would fight back to end the score a highly impressive 2-2. Ruben Zadkovich’s Men very much so deserved this result as they gave it absolutely everything they had against Ufuk Talay’s troops. And Jordan Elsey playing his first game for Perth since his shock departure from Newcastle was an absolute gem as he won 4/5 duels, 1/2 tackles and completed 63 passes at a 79% completion rate. Perth are now just three-points behind third spot on the ladder. Meanwhile for the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium they were absolutely lethal as they smashed the Roar 4-0 in what was arguably their best match of the season to date, Their strikes came courtesy of Jaushua Sotirio 52nd-minute, Trent Buhagiar 72nd-minute, Beka Mikeltadze 76th-minute and Archie Goodwin 94th-minute. This gave Newcastle their fifth win of the season from 14 games contested and has absolutely and unequivocally breathed new life into their campaign. There’s never been a better time to watch these sides do battle then right now!
Six of these two sides last nine head to heads against one another have seen 3+ goals produced on each and every occasion and sprinkled in there have been some real eye opening results as well. For one example we have their battle in early 2022 played in the Hunter Valley, a date and a venue where the Jets absolutely destroyed the Glory 6-1. Beka Mikeltadze got on the score sheet 3X that day. Whilst there was also an early days 6-2 victory in favour of the Glory in Perth at HBF Park as well. This a game where both Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli each scored two goals a piece (remember when they used to set the rest of the completion alight for the Glory?). Each side interestingly enough also registered 12 shots a piece during that heated and entertaining encounter. This will also be Jordan Elsey’s first match against his old teammates in a game that might get a bit ’emotional’ at times. With everything considered really anything could be tossed up in this tasty encounter. But that ‘anything’ will definitely be a cut throat and highly ballistic ‘anything’ at that!
Betting tip: Back this tasty affair to have over 3.5 goals within it at $3.40 (Bet365)
Sunday, February 5
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United3:00pm AEDT, CommBank Stadium |
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Playing at the Central Coast versus the Mariners last round the Wanderers put on a brilliant display of Football, in a tasty affair that ended as a highly entertaining 2-2 draw. To the ‘Red & Black’s’ credit they thwarted some last ditch opposition attempts to keep the score intact, while they themselves were also fairly crafty shooting 4/12 on target. It was also a crucial game for Attacker Brandon Borrello as he produced his fourth goal of the season, helping to mitigate his own personal up and down form. And on the whole, despite being forced to share the spoils, it was a very positive outing from Western Sydney as their inability up front has been a persistent issue of theirs all season long. But they well and truly put them to bed against the Mariners! While Western Unite themselves also secured a highly entertaining 2-2 draw vs Macarthur out at Campbelltown Stadium, as a ‘Bulls’ red card and two goals in the games final regular nine-minutes saw a topsy turvy display of Football put on out West. Nicolas Milanovic helped his visiting ‘Green & Black’ fighters secure a point with his energetic 89th-minute equaliser. It was game that wasn’t too be missed and judging by recent results neither will this one! Tune into what should be a cracker of a Football match on Sunday afternoon!
Gone is Sulejam Krpic who scored just two goals for the Wanderers and at least until they find a replacement for him, where will their goals come from? As I mentioned before it has been an issue that has plagued them pretty much all season long, but they’ve done impeccably well to sit in 3rd place despite all of that. However now comes a time, particularly one week before their only home Derby of the season versus Sydney, where they really need to get down to business. They did very well against the Mariners over the weekend, as they forged some cracking efforts into the back of the net, but they need to once again back it up against John Aloisi’s Men. Brandon Borrello will be needed to put in a strong game, as will Congo DR representative Yeni N’Gbakoto who opened the scoring for the ‘Red & Black’ last time out. Look for both to be heavily relied upon versus Western United.
Betting tip: Look for a Wanderers win at $2.10 (Bet365)
Best Bets of the Round – Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar
Look for a ‘Reds’ victory at $2.04 (BoomBet)
Also look for them to score first at $1.61 (Bet365)