It’s a blockbuster weekend of A-League football with the Original Rivalry and F3 Derby taking place, as well as a massive fixture between Auckland FC and Melbourne City. Can Newcastle equal the greatest winning streak in A-League history? We bring you our best bets for Round 19 below!
A-League 2025-26: Round 19 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
AAMI Park, Friday 27th February, 7:35pm AEDT
Round 19 kicks off with a huge clash between fourth placed Adelaide United and fifth placed Melbourne Victory. The Victory arrive at AAMI Park for this Original Rivalry matchup with momentum after a statement win over crosstown rivals Melbourne City in Round 18, a result that injected belief into their season. It was the Juan Mata show, as the former Manchester United star scored two brilliant goals and provided an assist in the 3-1 win. Victory’s attacking numbers are among the better ones in the competition this term, with 27 goals scored, in what has been continuous improvement across the season.
Adelaide United have jumped into fourth place after back to back wins, after their 4-0 demolition of Perth Glory. Much like the Victory, the Reds strength this season has been their attacking game, where they’ve scored the second most goals in the league (32). Adelaide rank third in the A-League for possession (52%) which has helped them become a potent attacking team. If the Reds can control the possession battle, they’ll go a long way towards winning this match.
Adelaide came out on top when these sides met in January, and the manner in which they play will give Victory plenty to contend with from a defensive aspect. With just two points separating these teams, there will be plenty in this game from both sides. Adelaide United’s potency through the front half will be the key factor in what is set to be an entertaining affair. There will be goals aplenty in this clash, but Adelaide United will pick up a crucial road win.
Adelaide United to Win
$4.40 (1 Unit)
Auckland FC vs Melbourne City
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 28th February, 3:00pm AEDT
Last season’s premiers face last season’s champions in a match with big implications on the top six. Eighth placed Melbourne City head across the ditch to take on second placed Auckland FC, needing a win to stay in touch with the top six. After their 3-1 loss in the Melbourne Derby, City are winless in their last four games and now three points behind sixth placed Macarthur. A 5-0 demolition of Wellington in the New Zealand Derby has steadied the ship for Auckland, who are unbeaten in their last three games.
The Black Knights were back to their best last week, producing their biggest score of the season, whilst recording a clean sheet. Auckland are the best defensive team in the competition, conceding only 18 goals in their 18 games this season, and they’ll be looking for their defence to lead the way against a Melbourne City side that is out of form. City have a top four ranked defence, however their work at the back in the last month has fallen away dramatically.
Melbourne City have conceded 12 goals in their last four games, and haven’t recorded a clean sheet since January 6th. If Auckland brings the football they did last week, City will be in a world of trouble. The trip to New Zealand will be a massive challenge for Melbourne City, who have only won two of their nine games away from home. This will be a tightly contested affair, but Auckland FC will continue their strong form against a struggling Melbourne City.
Auckland FC to Win
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets
Polytec Stadium, Saturday 28th February, 5:00pm AEDT
Saturday’s F3 Derby is another clash with top six ramifications as the league leading Newcastle Jets look to extend their nine game winning streak when they head down the highway to face Central Coast. The Mariners have been languishing around the bottom of the table for most of the season, however as is the nature of the competition this season, three consecutive wins has propelled them into seventh place, and three points away from the top six.
The Jets are in the midst of a historic winning streak and their 1-0 win over Macarthur has put them within one win of tying the longest winning streak in A-League history (10 wins, 2013 Wanderers). The result showed a different side of the Jets, who grinded out the 1-0 win despite having 9 less shots than Macarthur and only 47% possession. It showed Mark Milligan’s side are capable of grinding out results, despite their defensive struggles this year.
Two in form sides, a rivalry clash, it’s all set up to be an entertaining contest. The Mariners will look to get set defensively and try and break the game open on the counter, while the Jets will look to go all guns blazing in attack. Newcastle have been must watch football with how they’ve played in an attacking manner on this winning streak, and they would love nothing more than to make it ten on the bounce against their biggest rival. The Mariners have struggled at home this season with just three wins from nine games, while the Jets are the ebay away team in the league with a 7-0-2 record on the road. Newcastle’s incredible winning streak will go on to equal the A-League record.
Newcastle to Win
$1.73 (2 Units)
