The A-League fixture has been a bit of a rabble this season and that continues in ‘Matchday 11’ this weekend. Although we are calling it that for continuities sake, the A-League has pulled games from a variety of rounds this week, but at least we have a full schedule of six games from Friday to next Tuesday.
Check out the Sunday League Shark’s preview and betting tips for the kay games of the week below.
A-League Round 11 Betting Tips
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Saturday 22nd January, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Sydney FC have returned from their Christmas break with one win, one loss and one draw in three games across the A-League and the FFA Cup. They went down to the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 on Tuesday to be eliminated from the Cup, and will now turn their full attention to this weekend’s clash against a struggling Perth Glory side.
It was a long spell between games for the Glory, who finally made their return to competitive play on Wednesday after not having played a single game in any competition since all the way back on the 8th of December. Justifiably, they looked a little rust, going down 1-0 to the Brisbane Roar on the road. They sit in 2nd last place on the table with just a 1-1-3 record through their opening five games.
Tough to look past Sydney here. While they certainly haven’t been the dominant force that we have come to expect over the last few seasons, they have still only lost two of their seven games this A-League season, and bring much more match form and fitness into this clash than their underdone opponents in the Glory. Back them to win at home.
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City
Sunday 23rd January, 4.05pm (AEDT)
Melbourne City have booted a league high 12 goals so far this A-League season, but they have just a 2-4-1 record to show for it through their opening seven games. They sit in fourth place on the table and will take on the fifth place team in the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon from Gosford.
The Mariners have played just one game in the last month, but they have looked pretty solid this season, winning their last four games on the trot in all competitions. They returned from their break on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC on the road to move on to the next round of the FFA Cup.
Melbourne City have won their last two games against Central Coast, and five of their last six. In those six games, they have posted a combined goal aggregate of 17-6. I think Melbourne City get back on the winners list after two straight draws.
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Sunday 23rd January, 6.45pm (AEDT)
The Brisbane Roar had a long break over Christmas but since their return on the 12th of January, they have racked up three games across the A-League and FFA Cup resulting in a win, draw and loss. Their last game came on Wednesday night as they defeated Perth 1-0 at home. They will get another home game as Adelaide travel to Dolphin Stadium.
Adelaide have had a rough season to date. They have won just one of their last one of their last nine games in all competitions and are coming off two straight draws to Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City over the past two weeks. They sit in 7th place on the table, with a league leading five draws currently propping their points tally.
The Roar start as slight favourites but I’m going against them here. Adelaide have a pretty dominant record against Brisbane, losing just two of their last 10 games against the Roar regardless of location. Back them to get the job done on the road.
