The top six is set, the Premiers Plate is decided, however the seeding for places 2-6 on the A-League table are to be decided in the final round of the home & away season. It’s a massive weekend of football for the makeup of the finals race, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets!
A-League 2025-26: Round 26 Preview & Betting Tips
Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners
McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday 25th April, 5:00pm AEST
The first game on Saturday’s slate is the F3 Derby as Newcastle look to straighten up their form heading into the finals, when they take on the Mariners at home. The Jets flew to the top of the ladder with a run of nine wins and one draw across a ten game span through January to early March. However their form through the latter part of the season hasn’t been anywhere near as dominant, with a 1-2-2 record from their last five games.
Newcastle have already secured the Premiers Plate, however they would love a strong performance against their arch rivals to give them confidence heading into the finals series. Newcastle’s attacking game this season has been remarkable, scoring a league high 51 goals through enterprising ball movement that has made them so exciting to watch. Their defensive game does leave a lot to be desired, conceding 39 goals, the fourth most in the league. In their last five games the Jets have played four sides that will feature in the finals, and their defence has not stood up, conceding nine goals.
Fortunately for the Jets, the Mariners have been middle of the road from both an attacking and defensive standpoint. The possession battle looms as an area that Newcastle will dominate, giving them control of this fixture. Newcastle rank third in the A-League for possession (53.2%) while Central Coast rank last (43%). Their inability to control possession will see them defending for large periods of the game against the most prolific team in the league, and their defence won’t be able to hold up against it.
Newcastle Jets -1
$2.15 (1 Unit)
Sydney FC vs Auckland FC
Allianz Stadium, Sunday 26th April, 3:00pm AEST
The first game on Sunday sees a top six shaping clash in the Harbour City, with Sydney FC taking on Auckland FC. Auckland are in second place, but sit just one point ahead of third placed Adelaide, and only three points ahead of fourth placed Sydney FC. Given their goal difference, it would take a six goal win for the Sky Blues to jump Auckland, however Auckland must win to guarantee a top two finish that would see them move straight to the second week of finals.
Similarly to Newcastle, Auckland haven’t been playing their best football down the final straight, with two losses and two draws from their last four games. This game will be a tough battle between the two best defensive sides in the competition, with Sydney conceding only 23 goals across 25 games, while Auckland have conceded just 27. Given the defensive quality of both clubs, this game is going to come down to who can take their chances in the final third, because there won’t be many.
This is where Auckland have the upper hand, their attacking game has been much more prolific than the Sky Blues. Auckland are the fourth ranked attacking side in the A-League (40 goals) while Sydney are ranked 9th having scored only 31 goals. Playing away from home has never been an issue for Auckland FC in their short history, they have the second best away record in the competition. The Sky Blues home record isn’t amazing, ranking sixth with just a 5-3-4 record at home this season. Auckland’s efficiency in the final third will be crucial in this clash, and they will be desperate to secure a spot in the Semi Finals.
Auckland to Win
$2.60 (1 Unit)
Melbourne City vs Adelaide United
AAMI Park, Sunday 26th April, 5:30pm AEST
Sunday’s second game is another massive game in that make up of the finals picture, with third placed Adelaide United travelling to Victoria to take on fifth placed Melbourne City. After a slow start to the season, the defending champions have hit form at the right time of the season, winning four consecutive games heading into this weekend. The Reds are on a nine game unbeaten run, however it hasn’t been a dominant run, with four wins and five draws.
Adelaide have been brilliant in the front third this season, scoring 44 goals, the second most in the A-League. For City, it’s been their defensive work which has been the backbone of their game this season, ranked third in the competition. Melbourne City’s defence has been strong largely thanks to the work of their midfield, who have allowed their defence to get set behind the ball and limit transition opportunities. The defending champions are ranked first in the league for possession, averaging 55.6% per game. The battle of the Reds attack against City’s defence will be the crucial factor in this game.
This should be a cracking clash between two quality sides, but the current form of City is too hard to ignore. Four wins on the bounce with a big uptick in scoring comparative to the rest of the season, their championship quality is beginning to show. Melbourne City’s midfield should be able to give them control of the tempo of the match, to deny Adelaide chances in transition. The defending champions have the hot hand, and they’ll finish the home & away season with a win.
Melbourne City to Win
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
