Auckland’s victory over Newcastle has tightened the gap at the top of the table to just one point, while in the race for finals places, only three points separate sixth place Central Coast from tenth placed Wellington. We bring you our three best bets for Round 22 in the A-League below!
A-League 2025-26: Round 22 Preview & Betting Tips
Auckland FC vs Macarthur
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 21st March, 1:00pm AEDT
Auckland FC are riding high after ending Newcastle’s eleven game winning streak, with a 2-1 win to move within a point of the league leaders. The Black Knights have won three of their last four games and are unbeaten in their last six games.Macarthur side Macarthur head across the ditch in Round 22 under real pressure, with their season slipping at the wrong time. The Bulls sit outside the top six and arrive on a worrying run of form, having failed to win in their last eight matches and currently riding a four game losing streak. Their defensive record has been a major concern all season, conceding 35 the second worst defence in the A-League.
Auckland FC’s game is in excellent shape, sitting as the equal best defence in the league (21 goals conceded) and the second best attack in the league (36 goals scored). Auckland have shown they can win games in different ways, whether dominating possession or absorbing pressure and striking on the counter. That flexibility makes them particularly dangerous against sides like Macarthur, who can leave space in transition.
Macarthur have never beaten Auckland FC, in three attempts and given the form that they are in currently, it’s difficult to see that changing. Macarthur have conceded eleven goals across their last three games, while Auckland have scored twelve goals across their last four games. The Black Knights possess the two leading goal scorers in the A-League with Sam Cosgrove (10) and Jesse Randall (9), and they will torch an under performing Macarthur defence.
Auckland -1
$2.50 (1 Unit)
Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners
AAMI Park, Saturday 21st March, 5:10pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory host Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park in a crucial top six clash, with Victory sitting in fourth place on 32 points and the Mariners in sixth place on 27 points. The Mariners are only three points clear of tenth placed Wellington, so Central Coast need to win to keep their place in the top six. For the Victory, a win could see them move up to third on the table. Both clubs are in great form with the Mariners are unbeaten in their last eight games, while the Victory are unbeaten in their last six games.
The Victory’s attacking game is beginning to become quite fruitful, having scored 10 goals across their last four games, led by Juan Mata’s remarkable hot streak. The World Cup Winner has scored three goals and provided four assists in his last five games, showing he is certainly a class above, and makes the Victory capable of beating any side.
The big question for the Mariners will be if they can produce enough scoring opportunities. Central Coast have been mid-table for both goals scored and goals conceded, and they will likely look to sit back and absorb pressure against the hosts, in a bid to score on the counter. Melbourne have been excellent at home this season, sitting with the second best home record in the league, and their weight of attacking numbers will be too much for the Mariners to contend with.
Melbourne Victory -1
$2.05 (1 Unit)
Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets
Allianz Stadium, Sunday 22nd March, 3:00pm AEDT
One of the biggest matchups of the weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon as Sydney FC host league leaders Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium. Newcastle had their eleven game unbeaten streak brought to an end by Auckland last week, and now sit just one point clear at the top of the table. The Sky Blues are still in third place, however they suffered a 1-0 defeat on Monday night against Melbourne City, which has them just one point clear of fifth placed Adelaide United.
This game is going to be a battle between the league’s best defence and the league’s best attack. The Jets have scored 44 goals, comfortably the most in the league, while Sydney FC have conceded the equal fewest goals in the league (21). They say styles make fights, and how this game is played will largely dictate where the result will go. If the ball is moving at pace end to end, Newcastle will be in a great position, however if the Sky Blues can turn it into a grind, they’ll be in the game.
Despite the streak coming to an end, you can’t ignore what Mark Milligan’s side have done over the past few months. 10 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, playing some of the most enterprising football we have seen in the competition for quite some time. The Jets handled Sydney FC comfortably when the two sides last met in December, and Newcastle will get back on the winners list against the Sky Blues.
Newcastle to Win
$3.00 (1.5 Units)
