There were a couple of huge upsets in the A-League last weekend as Perth returned to the winners list in front of home fans.
Incredibly, the Glory will be chasing a third win on the trot against Sydney FC this weekend, while Western Sydney will host Melbourne City in a top of the table clash.
Check out our Matchday 12 preview and A-League betting tips below.
2022-23 A-League: Round 12 Preview & Betting Tips
Macarthur vs Central Coast Mariners
Friday 13th January, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Macarthur and Central Coast have both performed strongly so far this campaign, sitting fourth and second, respectively.
The Mariners have worked their way up the table thanks to victories in four of their last five matches, while the Bulls’ recent form has been more mixed.
The strength of Macarthur’s defence will likely decide this game – Central Coast have scored the most goals in the league (24), whereas the Bulls have managed just 15.
Recent encounters between these two sides have been high scoring – there have been 17 goals scored in the past three head-to-head games – and both teams have earned four points from those matches.
As such, this is a tricky one to pick. While Macarthur will relish playing this one on home soil, I think the scoring power of Central Coast will be the deciding factor.
Central Coast Mariners
$2.15 (2 Units)
Brisbane Roar vs Wellington Phoenix
Saturday 14th January, 5.00pm (AEDT)
Brisbane and Wellington have been the masters of the draw this season. The Roar have tied six times and the Phoenix five, leaving both teams mid-table at this point of the season.
In such a tight season, it is crucial that these sides start banking victories, so I expect both to come out with an attacking mindset.
Wellington have been the more daring outfit so far in season 2022/23 (18 goals vs 10 for the Roar), but Brisbane will be looking to give their home fans something to cheer.
The Phoenix put seven goals past the Roar in three matches last year, earning two wins, and I think they will challenge the Brisbane defence again on Saturday.
However, the Roar have been solid at home and I think they can force yet another draw this weekend.
Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday 14th January, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Both these teams are in a rut, with one win apiece from the last four rounds.
Thankfully for Adelaide, they still sit in the top six by the skin of their teeth, but a reversal of form will be needed to stay there.
For the Victory, it’s been all doom and gloom since the disastrous Melbourne derby, and the team is feeling the pinch. Now sitting last with a game in hand, the Victory will be desperate to halt the trend of narrow losses that have defined the last few weeks.
United took the points the last time these two teams met, but this has been a close rivalry historically.
Importantly, Adelaide have won eight of their last nine A-League home games, so I think the venue may be the deciding factor here.
For that reason, I’m tipping a home win for United.
Adelaide United
$2.60 (2 Units)
Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Saturday 14th January, 10.30pm (AEDT)
After years of struggle, are Perth Glory finally starting to turn it around? Their recent form suggests so. They enter Round 12 on a rare two-match winning streak after taking care of the Wanderers and the Roar on their home deck.
In contrast, Sydney have lost three of their last four matches and are a shadow of their former selves. The Sky Blues have now slipped to eighth on the table and will play their next three fixtures on the road.
The Glory will be building with confidence and certainly won’t be intimidated by the current version of Sydney FC. They’re starting to find the back of the net with more regularity and that should make for an entertaining, high-scoring affair in the late game on Saturday night.
Backing ‘Yes’ in the Both Teams to Score market looks to be the safest and best way to play this one.
Both Teams to score
$1.70 (2.5 Units)
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City
Sunday 15th January, 3.00pm (AEDT)
The Wanderers secured a fantastic 4-0 win against Macarthur in Round 10 but couldn’t back it up when they visited Perth last weekend. They failed to score in their defeat and have now found just two points from their last four matches away from home.
Melbourne City haven’t missed a beat since returning from the World Cup break, reeling off three easy wins on the spin. They got some sweet revenge against Western United last start when piling on four first half goals. City have still only dropped points in two matches this season and are clear at the top of the table as a result.
The Wanderers poor road form coupled with City’s blistering overall form gives me the impression that this will be a one-sided affair. City were 3-1 winners last time they visited the Wanderers and a similar result is also expected this time around.
Melbourne City
$2.15 (2 Units)
Western United vs Newcastle Jets
Sunday 15th January, 5.00pm (AEDT)
Western United were starting to find some of their better form in leading up to the Grand Final rematch last weekend, but all of that went out of the window in a 4-0 defeat.
Playing away from home has been a big struggle for the defending champs this season. They’ve four of their five matches on the road and have conceded 2+ goals in every game.
Newcastle’s away form has been much better this campaign with four losses from six outings. In fact, their form as a whole has been horrible. After starting the season 2-0-0, they’ve gone on to lose seven of their next nine matches.
United’s play this campaign has left a lot to be desired, but they will fancy their chances against the current version of the Jets. They should be able to get back on the winners list with the home crowd behind them.
Western United
$1.87 (1.5 Units)
