We had a massive week in our 2016-17 A-League betting tips last week going 4-1. We’ll look to back it up with a solid week for Round 17 this weekend, which kicks off Thursday night for a massive Australia Day clash between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. We’ve got a preview + betting tips for every game of round 17 below.
A-League Round 17 Betting Tips
Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC (Thursday 7:50pm AEDT)
The biggest and best rivalry in the A-League continues on Australia day with Sydney FC travelling to Melbourne to take on the Victory. The two teams sit well clear atop the A-League table, however, this will be a great chance for the Victory to pull back some of the 8 points they trail Sydney by. The Sky Blues continued their winning ways on the weekend with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Adelaide United. Melbourne had the difficult task of playing a rescheduled game on Tuesday night in Wellington, then having to back it up in Perth just 4 days later. It showed in their performance as they weren’t their usual dominant self.
This should be a very heated matchup, the two teams have met twice this year, with the Melbourne leg resulting in a draw and Sydney taking their home leg 2-1. It’s a huge game for the Victory, who can practically wave goodbye to their minor premier ambitions if they were to lose. They have slipped up their last two games due to a tough travelling schedule, however, their previous six games were all dominant wins. Sydney on the other hand, although they are still undefeated on the season, have limped over the line in some of their recent games and haven’t looked the most convincing of teams at all.
I like Melbourne, with the home field advantage and some high stakes, to pull out a clutch win here and keep their season alive.
TIP: Melbourne Victory (draw no bet) - $1.91 at Sportsbet
Newcastle vs Melbourne City (Friday 7:50pm AEDT)
The struggling Jets host Melbourne City in the Friday night game this round. After losing in Adelaide 2 weeks ago, City got back to their winning ways in Round 16 with a dominant 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners. While the scoreboard might not suggest it, City well and truly outplayed the Mariners, maintaining 63% possession and blasting 26 shots compared to 2.
Tim Cahill worked his way up the golden boot table with a first half brace, taking his tally to seven on the season. His teammate Bruno Fornaroli still sits second on the table with 11 goals and will be looking to add at least one more this week against the Jets. City will need something miraculous to catch Sydney FC from here, with 11 rounds to go they sit a whopping 14 points behind their Sydney counterparts. Every game is still important, however, as City aren’t out of reach of second spot resulting in the first round bye in finals.
I like Melbourne to come away with this one, Newcastle have let in a second worst 28 goals on the season so far and will struggle to deal with the firepower of City.
TIP: Melbourne City to win - $1.83 at Sportsbet
Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory (Saturday 5:35pm AEDT)
The most out of form club in the A-League at the moment is the Central Coast Mariners. They are winless through their last 8 games. With home games against Perth and Adelaide in the next two weeks, it could be their last chance for a win for quite some time as they then have the difficult task of playing the Wanderers, Victory, Melbourne City and Sydney FC in the next 5 weeks. The Mariners have let in 34 goals on the season so far, 6 more than anyone else, and have only netted 17.
Perth Glory only boast 3 more wins than the Mariners, however, they have been much more competitive in more games and will be a tough test for the New South Wales side. I’m not usually one to take the ‘they are due for a win’ stance when picking a game, however, in the up and down, topsy turvy league that the A-League has proven to be year after year, they are definitely due a swing in form sooner or later. The home field advantage does a lot for me, especially against Perth who will have to travel cross country. I like the Mariners to at least hold on for a draw in this one if not come away with a victory.
TIP: Central Coast Mariners (draw no bet) - $2.35 at Sportsbet
Brisbane Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers (Saturday 7:50pm AEDT)
Although their recent results might not support the case, I think the Wanderers are playing some of the best football in the league. They have only 1 in from their last 7 matches, but also have 4 draws, one of which was a dominant performance over ladder leaders Sydney FC. They travel just up the road this weekend to play the Brisbane Roar, who currently sit 4th on the table with 24 points.
The Wanderers sit just 6 points adrift of the Roar with 18, so they will be hoping they can come away with a win here to give themselves a real chance at playing finals football. Their performance against Sydney FC two weeks ago, really impressed me and I think if they bring form similar to that for this game they should come away with at least a draw. It’s also promising that they have been kings of the draw this year, with a ridiculous 9 from 16 games this season.
TIP: Western Sydney Wanderers (draw no bet) – $1.88 at CrownBet
Adeleaide United vs Wellington Phoenix (Sunday 5pm AEDT)
The Phoenix travel for the first time in 3 weeks when they take on Adelaide in the Sunday twilight fixture. With a bit of a log jam between themselves, Western Sydney and Newcastle for the 6th and final spot to qualify for playoffs, every game counts for the Nix. It’ll be a welcome change of pace coming up against one of the weaker sides in the comp, having played Brisbane and Melbourne Victory in the past 2 games.
Adelaide struggled mightily against Sydney last week and were lucky for it to be only a two-goal deficit in the end. With only two wins on the season so far, I find it difficult to see a scenario in which they come away with a win here, and I’m baffled that Wellington have opened as $3.25 underdogs. The travel factor shouldn’t be that much of an issue after spending a few weeks at home, so I like Krishna, Finkler and co to at least come away with a draw here.
TIP: Wellington Phoenix (draw no bet) - $2.41 at Sportsbet
follow @andyrosos on Twitter!
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
