The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 27 of the 2024/25 A-Leagues Mens season.
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Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne CitySaturday April 19, 7:35pm CommBank Stadium |
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A win for the Wanderers could see them go just a single point off 2nd, whilst a victory for City could potentially boost them as high as 2nd on the ladder. Western Sydney to their credit have won four straight at CommBank Stadium and are unbeaten in their last nine consecutive affairs. Whilst for Melbourne they’ve won five of their last six and are unbeaten in three straight away matches. And both these teams will be particularly energetic headed into this affair given that the ‘Red & Black’ shot 6/15 on target last time out in a comprehensive 2-0 dub over Western United in Parramatta. That while the ‘Cityzens’ went 7/24 in a 3-2 win over Brisbane at AAMI Park. The lure of a Top Two finish and a break in Week One of the Finals is very much a possibility for both franchises and as such you can expect 101% effort to be exerted on Saturday night.
It’s hard to ignore the ‘Red & Black’ as anything but a Grand Final threat this season given that their nine-match unbeaten streak is their best piece of form over the last ten-years. Alen Stajcic’s Men are playing some mouth watering Football that deservedly has many thinking that this could be the season they win a maiden domestic final. Against Western last round they were ruthless, however it’s their never say die attitude that has deservedly won them a lot of plaudits. Prior to last round they came back from 1-0 down against Auckland in Auckland to collect a hard-earned point. Then the week prior they forged an 89th minute equaliser via Nicolas Milanovic against the ‘Nix’ in Wellington. And even prior to that against the Victory they were down 2-0 at home before they came storming back to win 4-2. Even when the Wanderers seem down and out, they just aren’t. There’s something truly special brewing in ‘Wanderland’ at the moment and that should undoubtedly continue against a perhaps tad bit shaky City side.
Betting tips: Pick a blistering Wanderers victory at $2.63 (BetFair, Bet365)
However you can pick City to win the most corners at $1.73 (Bet365)
And also look for Western Sydney to score last at $2.00 (Dabble), as well as for both teams to score at least once each at $1.50 (Bet365)
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Central Coast Mariners vs Macarthur FCSunday April 20, 5:00pm Industree Group Stadium |
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Contingent upon other results a win for Macarthur at Industree Group Stadium could potentially see them catapult their way back into the Top Six. Lucky for the ‘Bulls’ they’ve been on fire away from Campbelltown as of late, having posted a 5-1 win over Brisbane at Suncorp and prior to that a 5-4 victory over Adelaide at Coopers. Croatian superstar Forward Marin Jackolis was the star of the show with 3X fantastic strikes, as he now has a combined 12 goals + 12 assists through 28 A-League/Australia Cup games this campaign. However the ex-Melbourne City marksman won’t be the only threat to be on high alert for this game as Brazilian Winger Mikael Doka has added constant flare to a flailing Mariners team this campaign with four combined goals and six assists. The Central Coast themselves are coming off an extremely positive 3-1 victory over the Glory in Gosford. So in an affair that’s packed to the brim with superstardom, anything can happen.
You’d have to wonder what with all the speculation surrounding a new buyer for the Mariners, their current financial state, etc, if that’s having an effect on the players and coaching staff at all. No one could blame them if it is because the back-to-back champs have had quite the fall from grace this season. And now it’s virtually youth all over the place, sprinkled in with some very underperforming veterans. Alfie McCalmont, the 25-year-old English Midfielder, has garnered up just one goal and one assist this season from 19 games. Whilst Defender and A-League veteran Storm Roux was sent off in his sides 6-0 F3 Derby humiliation in Newcastle last round against the Jets. The older guys donning the famous yellow jersey need to be doing a hell of a lot better than that of what they currently are. It was a harsh, harsh defeat and it really painted a picture of just how bad things are for the Central Coast this campaign. Even if they rebound here, it won’t be enough to overcome Macarthur.
Betting tips: Back an emphatic Macarthur dub at $2.40 (Bet365)
Also look for them to win the most corners at $1.95 (Bet365) and for only the ‘Bulls’ to score at $2.55 (Dabble)
And look for Marin Jackolis to strike anytime at $2.55 (Dabble)