We hit on just 2 out of 5 in an unlucky week for our A-League tips last week. After being in winnable positions in every game except for the Melbourne city vs Sydney game, it was disappointing to only come away with 2 wins. We’ll be aiming for at least one more this week when we give our Preview and Betting Tips for Round 22 of the 2016-17 A-League Season.
A-League Round 22 Betting Tips
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory (Friday 7:50pm AEDT)
A loss to Western Sydney proved to be just a small blip on the radar for Sydney FC as they backed it up last weekend with a dominant 3-1 victory over Melbourne City. They face the Victory on Friday night in another installment of the best rivalry in Australian soccer. The Victory will see this as a massive chance to claw back some of the 8-point deficit they currently trail Sydney by at the top of the A-League table.
It'll be a tough test for the travelling side, with Sydney FC winning the teams last two matchups by a 2-1 score line and winning their last 5 games against the Victory at home. If they are to secure an upset Victory, it’ll be down to the offensive play of star Victory duo Marco Rojas and James Troisi. Troisi, particularly, has been in a hot run of form lately, and will be making his case for Socceroo selection with a good outing here.
All good things must come to an end, and Sydney’s unbeaten home run has dwindled over their last few fixtures. I expect the Victory to come out firing here and secure at least the draw.
TIP: Melbourne Victory (draw no bet) - $2.66 at Sportsbet
Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory (Saturday 5:35pm AEDT)
Perth will have to make the long-haul flight to Wellington to take on the Phoenix Saturday after both teams scored impressive victories in Round 21. Both of their opponents in Western Sydney and Brisbane last weekend had one eye on their midweek AFC Champions League fixtures but this won’t be the case on Saturday. Last week snapped a 3-game losing streak for the Phoenix, who will be looking to get their season back on track and compete for a finals spot. They sit just two points behind 6th placed Western Sydney, who have a relatively easy matchup this weekend.
With a win over the Wanderers last week, the Glory are sitting pretty in 3rd spot on the ladder. Their chances of winning the minor premiership have fleeted so their aim now will solely be to maintain 3rd spot on the table to secure a home final. If they were at home you would have to back them against wellington, however, their home record on the season so far hasn’t been the greatest, winning just 2 games.
In a pick’em, I like the home team to come away with at least a draw here.
TIP: Wellington Phoenix (draw no bet) - $1.91 at William Hill
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United (Saturday 7:50pm AEDT)
Two teams who will still be recovering from mid-week AFC Champions League clashes will square off here as the Wanderers host Adelaide on Saturday night. Both teams suffered tough losses in last week’s A-League fixture while the Wanderers were dismantled by Shanghai East Asia in their ACL tie and will be looking to get back on the winners list here.
Adelaide have been the worst team in the competition this season, and it’s been hard to back them with any confidence in any game this year. Although they only sit 6th on the table, the Wanderers have been playing some decent football of late, after being the first team to knock off cross town rivals Sydney FC just a few weeks ago.
I think they win this won comfortably at home to solidify their spot inside the top 6.
TIP: Western Sydney Wanderers to win – $1.85 at TopBetta
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City (Sunday 5pm AEDT)
The first of the Sunday double header sees Melbourne City travel to Central Coast to take on the Mariners. Melbourne City have underperformed this year, there’s no doubting that. After signing Tim Cahill and having the largest payroll in the league, they were favoured to win the title at the start of the season, and now find themselves in 4th place and a whopping 20 points behind Sydney FC. The loss of Aaron Mooy has been extremely underrated as Melbourne have missed a quality linking midfielder all year.
It’ll be a good chance for them to get back on the winners list Sunday against a lackluster Central Coast team. The Mariners sit just 6 points above current wooden spooners Adelaide United, and their 39 goals against this season is the most in the league. With them having such a shaky defence and Melbourne City’s offence being potent with the likes of Bruno Fornoroli, Brandan, Bruce Kamou and Tim Cahill, I can see them slotting at least a few goals here.
TIP: Melbourne City OVER 2.5 Goals - $2.75 at William Hill
Newcastle Jets vs Brisbane Roar (Sunday 7pm AEDT)
Brisbane was another team that copped an absolute hiding in their mid-week AFC Champions League game. The Roar went down 6-0 to Korean side Ulsan and have all but kissed their Champions league hopes away after the loss sent them to 0-1-1 and to the bottom of the Group E table. One positive to come out of it is that they can now set their attention solely on the A-League, where they are still hovering around playoffs contention currently sitting 5th.
Newcastle are one of the teams that’s gunning for them at the moment, and a win here will draw them to within 5 points of the Queensland side. A 1-1 draw with Central Coast wasn’t the worst result for them last week, but if they are to make any inroads to securing a playoff berth, they’ll need wins especially against the likes of Brisbane and WSW, who sit just above them on the table.
Both teams should be going hammer and tong here with so much on the line. Newcastle have been astute in defence lately, letting through just 2 goals in their last 3 games. I like that trend to continue, and with the home field advantage and a weary and jetlagged Brisbane side, they should secure a result here.
TIP: Newcastle Jets (draw no bet) - $2.19 at Sportsbet
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!
