The A-League season is drawing to a close, as the penultimate week of the A-League season kicks off. The second vs third clash between Sydney FC and Adelaide United highlights a crucial weekend of A-League action. We’ve got you covered with tips and previews from the key clashes this weekend!
A-League Round 23 Betting Tips
Western United vs Melbourne Victory
Friday 28th May 7.05pm (AEST)
The Melbourne Victory are a shell of a team from the powerhouse side that had been genuine contenders since the beginning of the A-League. The Victory have dished up two consecutive seasons of atrocious football which sees them languishing in eleventh place on the table. The Victory take on fellow Victorian side Western United, who have lost their last five games. Although they sit just one place above Melbourne on the table, they’re a massive thirteen points ahead of them.
Western United have struggled in the back half of this season, losing five consecutive matches heading into this fixture. However they have shown a lot more so far than the Victory, who have won just two of their last sixteen matches, and have lost their last five in a row.
Since their entry into the A-League in 2019 Western United have dominated the original Victorian club, with four wins and a draw in five games against the Victory. Western United will be looking to expose a dreadful Melbourne defence which has conceded 58 goals, the most in the A-League, and 19 goals more than Perth Glory who have conceded the second most. Western United will see this as a golden opportunity to end their losing streak against a Victory side that is at rock bottom.
Adelaide United vs Sydney FC
Saturday 29th May 7.10pm (AEST)
Coopers Stadium plays host to one of the games of the season as the third placed Adelaide United take on second placed Sydney FC. The defending champs have an opportunity to secure second spot and with it, a home semi final in the second week of the finals series. The Sky Blues have been in red hot form coming into this crucial, with three wins on the trot, on the other hand, Adelaide United have hit a slight slump, winning just two of their last five games.
Sydney’s defence featuring Rhyan Grant, Ryan McGowan, Joel King and Alex Wilkinson have been the best defence in the competition this season, conceding a league lowest 22 goals. Andrew Redmayne has been excellent between the sticks, with a league best nine clean sheets. Sydney will be confident coming into this matchup given their recent record. The Sky Blues have four wins and two draws from the last seven games against Adelaide United.
This Sydney side is a proven winner, and they always find a way to grind out results, regardless of the venue. Sydney’s style has consistently stood up in big games over the past few years and it will hold them in good stead come Saturday night.
Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory
Sunday 30th May 1.35pm (AEST)
Perth Glory have hit form at the right time of the season as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive when they travel to Eden Park to take on the Wellington Phoenix. The Phoenix will be playing their second game in five days after a gritting 2-1 win over Western Sydney on Wednesday. Both sides will be intrigued by the Thursday night fixture between Macarthur and Central Coast, with Perth and Wellington having a big opportunity to put some serious pressure on the loser of that game's spot in the top six leading into the final round of the regular season.
Perth’s biggest advantage coming into this clash is the potency of its attack. Led by Bruno Fornaroli’s eleven goals, the Glory’s attack has been outstanding form recently, ranking as the second best attacking team, recording 40 goals so far this season. Perth have been in excellent form, winning four of their last five matches. Wellington have been unable to put teams to the sword, picking up three draws from their last five matches.
The midweek trip to Sydney will play a role in this clash, with the Glory better rested and in much better form. Perth are perfectly poised to pull off an upset away from home and set up an intriguing final round of the season.
