We’re down to the final four in the 2024-25 A-League season which means it’s time for the semi-finals! The first of two legs gets underway this weekend as Western United take on Melbourne City on Friday night, before Melbourne Victory host Auckland FC on Saturday night. It should be an epic weekend in the A-League and we have you covered with our best bets for both fixtures below.
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A-League Semi-Finals First Leg Preview & Betting Tips
Western United vs Melbourne City
Friday 16th May, 7:35pm AEST
The A-League Finals Series reaches a crucial stage this Friday night as Western United and Melbourne City meet in the first leg of their semi-final tie at AAMI Park.
Western United earned their place in the final four by securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Adelaide United in the Elimination Final. John Aloisi's side demonstrated impressive attacking resolve in that match and carry winning momentum into this derby encounter.
They face a significant challenge in Melbourne City, who finished the regular season in second position and arrive in the semi-finals following a week's rest. City possess the league's most robust defence, a fact underlined by their record against Western United this season – two wins from two meetings without conceding a goal.
This first leg is set to be a compelling tactical battle, with Western United likely looking to exploit transition moments against City's typically solid defensive structure. However, Melbourne City's defensive prowess and historical advantage over Western United this season position them as the favoured side to take an early lead in this tie. Expect Melbourne City to secure a valuable win at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City to Win
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC
Saturday 17th May, 7:35pm AEST
The A-League Finals Series presents the first leg of the semi-final between Melbourne Victory and Premiers Auckland FC at AAMI Park. This crucial encounter marks the start of a two-legged battle for a place in the Grand Final.
Melbourne Victory, having finished fifth in the regular season, earned their passage to this stage by securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in a tense Elimination Final. Arthur Diles' side demonstrated resilience and a capacity to perform under pressure, building valuable momentum heading into this tie against the league's top team.
Auckland FC enjoyed a stellar inaugural A-League campaign, claiming the Premiership Plate by finishing atop the ladder. This success granted them a direct route to the semi-finals and afforded them a week's rest. Steve Corica's team were defensively outstanding throughout the season, conceding a league-low 27 goals, forming a robust foundation for their success.
Past meetings this season between these two sides have been notably low-scoring affairs. Their two regular season clashes finished 0-0 and 2-0 to Auckland, with both games featuring fewer than 2.5 goals. The high stakes of finals football often lead to cautious approaches, particularly in the first leg where avoiding a significant deficit is paramount. Given Auckland's defensive resilience and the tight nature of their previous encounters, this opening tie is anticipated to be a cagey contest with limited goalmouth action.
Under 2.5 Goals
$2.10 (2 Units)
