A-Leagues Mens Round 15 – Selected Previews & Betting Tips

The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 15 of the 2024/25 A-Leagues Mens season.

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Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar Saturday January 18, 5:00pm Allianz Stadium

Sydney versus Brisbane. It’s the A-League’s version of State of Origin, NSW vs QLD. It’s a rivalry that has spurned countless tasty memories. For the ‘Sky Blues’ that includes Mark Janko’s long-range screamer at Suncorp many years ago and Jaiden Kurcharski’s 90^th minute winner/belter at the exact same venue earlier this campaign. As for the Roar they too have plenty of fond memories when facing off against Saturday afternoon’s opposition. Those including their three straight wins against them in 2013, 3-1, 4-0 and 5-2 under Ange Postecoglou. And their 2-1 win in 2019 in Brisbane where Dylan Wenzel-Halls shot a tomahawk ball from the edge of the box and into the top right-corner, oh and in the 90^th minute to claim victory no less. The season after he left Brisbane, Alex Brosque famously departed the Roar and joined Sydney, winning seven trophies in total. Whilst Avraam Papadopoulos was rumoured to have rejected advances from Sydney as he represented Brisbane for two seasons in total. Sydney needs a win to continue their climb up to the top of the table, whilst Brisbane needs a win in their pursuit off getting off the bottom of it. Sparks are sure to fly in this one-of-a-kind A-League clash!

The hosts drew 0-0 against the ‘Nix’ at Sky Stadium last round as Patryk Klimala was denied a penalty shout as he thought he had illegally been taken down by the Wellington Defender. However, Sydney just wasn’t good enough on the day as despite shooting 5/19 on target, compared to the Phoenix’s 2/6, they still couldn’t find a way past resilient Goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald. With the impressive 19-year-old debuting for the club. Meanwhile the Roar’s 1-0 loss to City at AAMI Park leaves them rooted to the bottom of the ladder with just two-points collected from 12 games played this season so far. They were so good for so long but eventually they cracked and conceded the winner to Benjamin Mazzeo in the 65^th minute. The Roar’s attack remains a work in progress as they landed just 3/4 shots on target throughout the duration of the affair. Can the visitors keep Sydney scoreless for two consecutive games or will the ‘Sky Blues’ be back to their brilliant attacking best right here?

Betting tips: Back a Sydney victory at $1.38 (Unibet)

Also back them only them to score at $1.65 (Betfair)

And pick both H1 and H2 to witness one + goals each at $1.38 (TopSport)

Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory Saturday January 18, 7:35pm Hindmarsh Stadium

It’s the A-League’s original rivalry and one that gets the supporters fired up as Adelaide United host the Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. At the time of writing the ‘Reds’ are equal first, whilst the ‘Victorian’s’ are just five-points off 1^st, albeit they are all the way down in 7^th. And with 10 of their last 12 clashes having been decided by just one goal, or having been a draw, undoubtedly another close, spicey and jam-packed affair will be on the cards right here. Adelaide’s last trip was to Wellington against Wellington, as they toppled the ‘Nix’ thanks in no small part to Luka Jovanovic’s killer 75^th minute winner, the 19-year-olds fourth strike of the season from just nine games played.  That whilst Melbourne suffered an agonisingly close defeat to Western United at AAMI Park, as the hosts went down 3-4. Defender Brendan Hammil’s first goal for the club since the 2021/22 season wasn’t enough as Melbourne leaked strikes in the 90 + 1^st and 90 + 4^th minute to go down on their home turf. With the ‘Reds’ having a game in hand over Melbourne City, the team who they’re equal 1^st with, alongside the Victory’s strong desire to bounce straight back up will make this rivalry a simply cannot miss!

The Victory have won three straight games against their arch-rivals and will be looking to make it a fourth come Saturday night. Last year when these two sides faced off at AAMI Park against one another it was Melbourne who escaped at the death with an extremely tight victory. As they ultimately prevailed 1-0 at home thanks to Jordi Valadon’s fiery 88^th minute winner, as the Midfielder collected the rebound from the edge of the box and shot home a powerful, low-lying strike. Only 5,131 fans witnessed that insane victory, however I tend to think that a lot more will be in attendance for this A-League night of history. It won’t be easy for both sides, and could this matchup be decided in the dying stages like its predecessor?

Betting tips: Look for both teams to score at $1.50 (Betfair)

Also look for both H1 and H2 to witness goals at $1.47 (TopSport)

And back Zac Clough to find the back of the net anytime at $3.55 (Unibet)