The following are previews with betting tips for selected fixtures in Round 29 of the 2024/25 A-Leagues Mens season.
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Melbourne City vs Sydney FCSaturday May 03, 5:00pm AAMI Park |
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A win for Melbourne City and they earn an automatic spot in the semi-finals, whilst a draw for Sydney FC sees them sneak into the Top Six on goal difference. In the last regular season round there is absolutely everything left to fight for between these arch-rivals!
City have been phenomenal at home lately winning seven of their last nine contests at AAMI Park. Whilst the ‘Sky Blues’ have been shaky away from the confines of Allianz Stadium, as they’ve been kept scoreless in consecutive appearances. Despite drawing 0-0 against the ‘Reds’ last round in Melbourne, City played a very positive game. They shot 7/17 on target and owned 56% possession of the ball. They also kept the opposition to just a solitary two shots on target. As for Ufuk Talay’s under pressure side away against Western United, they went down 1-0 as they coughed up a horrible performance. They conceded inside the opening five-minutes and landed just 3/14 attempts on target. That combined with the fact that City have won four of their last seven games against the ‘Sky Blues’, plus two draws as well, will leave Aurelio Vidmar full of confidence headed into Saturday’s encounter.
For Melbourne City a failure to earn a Top Two birth wouldn’t be the end of the world for their fanbase given the extent of the injuries they’ve faced this year, as well as the amount of youth they’ve given game time to. However for a club of Sydney’s stature failing to make the finals would be largely deemed unacceptable. A lot of supporters are calling for Ufuk Talay’s head and rightfully so it appears. His highline game plan has left Sydney struggling massively at various points during the season, as it’s left the Defenders who are back closer to the box exposed because they’re out numbered. Ex-Sydney FC turned City superstar Marco Tillio will undoubtedly look to exploit that with his pace and high Footballing IQ. With four goals + three assists for City this season he’s leading their attacking charge. He has the same amount of domestic goals than Douglas Costa and more than attacking rivals such as Jaiden Kurchaski and Anthony Caceres. If City put the BOOT in here then expect him to be a key reason why.
Betting tips: Look for City to score the games last goal at $1.70 (Dabble)
Meanwhile you can also look for both teams to strike gold at $1.44 (Dabble, BoomBet)
And back Patryk Kimala to score anytime at $2.75 (Bet365)
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Western United vs Auckland FCSaturday May 03, 6:00pm Irobark Fields |
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A draw against Auckland may be enough to garner Western United a week off in the first round of the finals. That’s because the ‘Black Knights’ are guaranteed to finish 1st no matter what and may make a host of changes in what is essentially a meaningless game for them. The ‘Green & Black’ should go BOOM as they attempt to set the charge for a second-ever Grand Final victory!
Western have won four straight clashes at home, whilst Steve Corica’s recently crowned Premiership winners are undefeated in six straight away from Go Media Stadium. Adding further fuel to the fire is that in those four victories, John Aloisi’s side have kept clean sheets in two of them. That while four of Auckland’s six away games have witnessed them keep the opposition scoreless. Last round for Western at Ironbark Fields they resigned Sydney FC to a tough loss, as the hosts prevailed 1-0. Whilst playing at home, the ‘Aucklanders’ got up 1-0 over the Glory as they kept them to just four shots and none on target throughout the duration of the match. Auckland went off with 5/28 shots on target. Superstars such as Hiroki Sakai and Alex Paulsen may well be rested here which would allow Western United a great chance of jumping up to 2nd.
Riku Danzaki, the star Japanese Midfielder for Western United has seven assists this season. This is the most he’s ever created in any of his eight professional seasons to date. He’s gone a bit under the radar due to Noah Botic raining down goals and Hiroshi Ibusuki ageing like fine wine, however make no mistake, Danzaki is absolutely a crucial part of why Western are competitive currently. John Aloisi has fully unlocked his potential as he is finding gaps that would make even the likes of Thomas Broich and Diego Castro proud. If the ‘Black Knights’ do decide to rest a few of their more experienced Guys, Danzaki will be poised well to exploit the inexperience of some of their replacements. If Western United steal something from this game then it’ll be at least in part due to the prowess of Danzaki.
Betting tips: Look for the ‘Green & Black’ to collect the dub at $1.95 (Bet365)
Also back both sides to score at $1.53 (BoomBet, Dabble)
And pick Auckland to score last at $2.30 (Dabble)