Round 24 of the A-League is here, and Melbourne City can take home the Premiers Plate with a win this weekend. Further down the table, just about every team is still a chance to qualify for the finals, so there is plenty on the line.
Check out our full Matchday 24 preview and A-League betting tips below.
2022-23 A-League: Round 24 Preview & Betting Tips
Newcastle Jets vs Macarthur FC
Friday 14th April, 7.45pm (AEST)
Newcastle and Macarthur may sit outside the top six, but both are just a couple of wins away from claiming a finals position.
The Jets were in a strong spot just over a month ago, but since then they have not won a game despite hitting the scoreboard with regularity. Defensively, Newcastle have been very weak over their lean period, conceding three goals to the normally toothless Brisbane Roar last week.
Macarthur have similarly struggled of late, managing just one win in their previous five matches. The Bulls have had similar issues defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet, so I can see both teams getting on the scoreboard in this one.
Considering the poor form of both sides, and their even recent H2H record, it seems safest to bet against these teams’ defences.
Both Teams to Score
$1.52 (3 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne City FC
Saturday 15th April, 5.00pm (AEST)
Melbourne City can almost taste the regular season premiership, but is there another twist in the tale yet?
If any team is going to upset City, it’s Central Coast, who are third on the table and have won three of their last four matches. Unfortunately for the Mariners, City have had their measure in recent seasons, winning the past five matches between these two teams.
Yes, Central Coast have the home ground advantage, but Melbourne are firing on all cylinders and they will want to lock up their ladder position as soon as possible.
While this is sure to be a high scoring encounter with goals from both sides, Melbourne City look like great value to get the three points on Saturday evening.
Melbourne City to Win
$2.30 (2 Units)
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday 15th April, 7.45pm (AEST)
Despite a recent slump, Western Sydney have been one of the best teams all season, which cannot be said for the Victory.
Melbourne sits at the foot of the table after 23 rounds, with just 26 goals to their name in what has been a lacklustre campaign. As such, this trip to Sydney will be a massive challenge.
The Wanderers boast the stingiest defence in the league (just 23 goals conceded), so one can only imagine that Melbourne will struggle to put the ball in the back of the net.
Western Sydney also won two of the three games played between these sides last year, so take the home side at generous odds-on Saturday.
Western Sydney Wanderers to Win
$2.20 (2 Units)
Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar
Sunday 16th April, 1.00pm (AEST)
Wellington and Brisbane are separated by only five points on the table yet are four places apart on the ladder. As it stands, Phoenix will be playing in the finals while the Roar will be watching from home.
Still, there’s plenty of water to go under the bridge until the finals start, and each team has three games to play which means there’s still everything to play for.
The Phoenix looked a sure thing to secure a finals berth a couple of weeks ago, but their leaky defence has conceded 11 goals in their last three matches, which have all resulted in losses.
Likewise, the Roar have made a habit of conceding multiple goals in games this season, and that should make for an entertaining and high-scoring affair to kick off the triple-header on Sunday.
Over 2.5 Goals
$2 (2.5 Units)
Sydney FC vs Perth Glory
Sunday 16th April, 3.00pm (AEST)
Sydney will be looking to turn things around when they host a tricky Perth outfit in the second game on Sunday.
The Sky Blues are in the midst of a horrible form slump that has seen them collect just two points from their last four matches, and one win from their last seven.
In contrast, Glory enter this clash unbeaten in their last four league matches and have secured maximum points in two of them.
Both teams will see this as a winnable game and a great way to build some momentum. That should lead to an attacking game with each side having multiple chances to score. With that said, taking the overs in the 2.5 goals market looks the best bet.
Both Teams to Score
$1.65 (3 Units)
Adelaide United vs Western United
Sunday 16th April, 5.00pm (AEST)
Adelaide will play host to Western United in the final game of Round 24. Both sides will be looking to add to their win column for different reasons, which will make for an intriguing contest.
The Reds have been in incredible form over the back half of the season and come into this weekend on a massive 12-game unbeaten run. They’ve won seven of those 12 games and have surged into second on the table as a result.
Meanwhile, United are in must-win mode from this point onwards as they’re currently three points and goal difference outside the top six with three matches to play.
United have been unable to build any meaningful momentum this season in what’s been one of the worst title defences we’ve seen in some time.
United have shown the ability to put in a big performance on their day, but the consistency of the Reds is impossible to overlook and we have to back them in to win this one.
Adelaide United to Win
$1.69 (2 Units)
