With just 4 rounds remaining in the 2016-17 A-League Season, the battle for finals seeding is heating up. While Sydney already have the minor premiership wrapped up, the rest of the contending teams are duelling it out for home finals or first round byes. See our preview and tips for Round 24 of the A-League Season below.
A-League Round 24 Betting Tips
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City FC (Friday, 7.50pm AEDT)
Melbourne City will travel to Sydney to take on the Wanderers Friday night after a 4-0 decimation of the Newcastle Jets last week. Western Sydney also captured a great win over Wellington Phoenix just 4 days after a beating Seoul FC 3-2 in the ACL Champions League. They had a bit of a lacklustre start to the season but Western Sydney have been playing some pretty good football of late and should be tough to beat at home here.
Melbourne City have won their last 2 A-League games and are in a tight tussle with Brisbane for 3rd spot on the table, so every game from here on out will be crucial. It’ll be a battle of defence vs offence here as Western Sydney have allowed the fewest shots in the A-League this year while Melbourne City have fired off the most. Melbourne will be without Tim Cahill for the clash, who is on international duty. Western Sydney too good in defence here.
TIP: Western Sydney (draw no bet) - $1.74 at Unibet
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United (Saturday, 5.35pm AEDT)
While we thought, Adelaide had the wooden spoon wrapped up much earlier in the season, a new contender has stepped into the fold in Central Coast. The Mariners have lost their last 2 and won just 3 of their last 10 games to now sit only 2 points ahead of Adelaide in 9th place. Adelaide fought hard in their AFC match, holding out for a 3-3 draw with Jeju United and looked great on the weekend claiming a 2-1 win over Brisbane.
Central Coast have been on the slide hard but they’ll get a much-needed home game here to attempt to steady the ship. With no ACL action for Adelaide until the 11th of April, they should be putting their all into this one, and I think at their best they are way too strong for the Mariners.
TIP: Adelaide United to win - $2.50 at TopBetta
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory (Saturday, 7.50pm AEDT)
Along with Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory can cruise through to the post season knowing that their place on the ladder is all but secured. Currently 11 points below Sydney and 9 points above Melbourne City, something major would have to happen for the Victory to relinquish a first round bye here, so they could be starting to take their foot off the pedal a bit. The lack of ACL action probably means that they’ll avoid getting to relaxed, however, as they’ll want to keep form and fitness up going into finals.
On the contrary, every match for the Roar is crucial from here out. They’ve been in arguably the worst form of any of the current top 6 teams, winning just 3 of their last 10 games. A home game here should put a spring in their step, however, but a 3-0 loss to Japanese side Kashima Antlers last week doesn’t inspire much confidence. I think Victory will be too strong here.
TIP: Melbourne Victory (double chance) - $1.73 at Ladbrokes
Wellington Phoenix at Newcastle Jets (Sunday, 5pm AEDT)
Wellington and Newcastle sit 5 and 6 points behind the Wanderers in 6th place and are mounting their last chance push at finals here. A loss to either team here will put the nail in their 2017 coffin and a win will keep the light at the end of the tunnel. The Newcastle jets, in particularly, will be hoping they can secure victory, as a week 25 matchup with the Wanderers could see them leapfrog them into the top 6. Unfortunately for the Jets, they have been playing woefully lately, winless through their last 6 games.
The Nix haven’t been much better either, not having won a game game in their last 4 attempts. On paper, you’d probably have to go with Wellington at home. How they haven’t gotten more wins this year with the front line attack of Gui Finkler, Roy Krishna and Kosta Barbarouses is beyond me. I think they’ll have a little too much firepower for the lacklustre Jets here.
TIP: Wellington to win - $2.60 at Sportsbet
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC (Sunday, 7pm AEDT)
At this point in the season there’s not much more that Sydney FC can do. There hasn’t been many occasions in the A-League where you can pretty much pencil a team in for at least a point week in week out, its notoriety for being an even competition is what makes it great. However, Sydney have been that team this year, and while I’ve had my doubts at times, the stats speak for themselves. Allowing just 11 goals so far on the season is the highlight, their ridiculous defence has seen them keep 13 clean sheets.
Although Perth are gunning for 4th position on the ladder and a win will be crucial for them here, it’s hard to do anything other than just back Sydney FC every week.
TIP: Sydney to win - $2.20 at bet365
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!
