The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 22 of the 2024/25 A-Leagues Mens season.
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Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast MarinersSaturday March 08, 7:35pm |
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In what is a rematch of last seasons Grand Final we have the Melbourne Victory taking on the Central Coast Mariners, in what should be a fiery contest at AAMI Park. In a massive blow for the already struggling visitors however they will be without experienced European attackers Ryan Edmondson and Alfie McCalmont, as well as young ‘Aussie’ Brad Tapp. Something that Mark Jackson’s side could certainly do without as this is basically a must-win game for them, as they currently reside in 10th place and are nine-points off a finals berth. Meanwhile the hosts are far better off then their rivals as things stand, given they are currently in 6th place and have won two of their last three games at home (with the other being a draw). Regardless of circumstances however you can almost certainly guarantee that both franchises will be fired up and ready to perform in this should be classic A-League encounter!
What happened when they last met? Despite what the nil-all scoreline might suggest at Industree Group Stadium in the season opener, their matchup was anything but boring. Roderick Miranda saw red, whilst three yellows were dished out as well. And Bruno Fornaroli also uncharacteristically missed a penalty. But in spite of both sides having ample shots, the Central Coast 13 and Melbourne 11, both rivals managed to muster up just the one shot on target a piece. Both teams left the game certainly wanting more then what they took from it and each surely frustrated. Which only makes this current encounter all the more tantalising.
Last three results; D Melbourne 1-1 vs Brisbane @ Suncorp Stadium, D Melbourne 2-2 vs City @ AAMI Park and W Melbourne 1-0 vs Wellington @ AAMI Park. And L Mariners 1-3 vs Western United @ Industree Group Stadium, L Mariners 0-4 vs Western Sydney @ Industree Group Stadium and L Mariners 0-2 vs Kawasaki (Asian Champions League) @ Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium.
The Mariners have been funky and fairly disjointed as of late, so in spite of the Victory’s struggles I’ll back them to take this one out at home.
Betting tips: Pick a Victory victory at $1.49 (BetFair)
Also pick them to score first at $1.33 (Bet365)
You can also back there to be over 1.5 goals at $1.16 and for both teams to find the back of the net at $1.66 (Bet365)
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Newcastle Jets vs Auckland FCSunday March 09, 5:00pm |
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With Newcastle preparing to take on the might of Auckland they do so having impressively won their last three games in a row, as well as being undefeated in their last five overall. Last round they thrashed Brisbane at McDonald Jones Stadium 3-1, as they shot 6/17 on target. Prior to that they shocked Adelaide 2-1 away from home, as Japanese maestro Kota Mizunuma registered his third assist from five games this campaign. And finally they trashed the Victory 3-0 at home despite only owning 43% possession of the ball. However the 1st placed ‘Black Knights’ will undoubtedly pose them lots of challenges given they’ve won their last two matches on the road and they’ve both been clean sheets at that. Guillermo May the former Supercopa Uruguaya victor has been scintillating as of late. He scored a long range screamer in his sides most recent 4-4 draw against the ‘Reds’ and from his last three games has conjured up three goals + one assist overall. It’s the A-League’s most inform side up against the best one!
What happened when they last met? At Go Media Stadium it was Auckland who came away with a convincing 2-0 triumph in what was the two sides first ever meeting against one another. Colombian Midfielder Neyder Moreno forged a late winner in the 83rd minute. Then New Zealand Defender Francis De Vries added the cherry on top with a strike of his own in the 89th minute. It was always going to go the way of the ‘Black Knights’ given that they owned 55% possession of the ball, shot 6/17 on target and completed 75% of their attempted passes in the final third, especially so compared to the Jets who were at just 61%. ‘Newy’ ought to be hungry in this game for revenge, whilst Auckland will be looking to complete the clean-sweep.
Last three results; W Newcastle 3-1 vs Brisbane @ McDonald Jones Stadium, W Newcastle 2-1 vs Adelaide @ Coopers Stadium and W Newcastle 3-0 vs Victory @ McDonald Jones Stadium. And D Auckland 4-4 vs Adelaide @ Go Media Stadium, W Auckland 6-1 vs Wellington @ Go Media Stadium and W Auckland 2-0 vs Western United @ Ironbark Fields.
Auckland should win this encounter, however I expect Newcastle to give them one hell of a fight.
Betting tips: Back an Auckland dub at $1.85 (Dabble, Bet365)
Also back them to fashion the games last goal at $1.68 (Dabble)
A goal should also occur per each half at $1.50 (Bet365)
Likewise Guillermo May scoring anytime at $2.95 (UniBet)