Two massive derbies in the A-League on Saturday headline Round 4’s slate, with Wellington and Auckland facing off in the New Zealand Derby, followed by a Grand Final rematch in the Melbourne Derby when Victory and City face off. It’s a blockbuster weekend of action and Jack Tobin has you covered with his best bets.
A-League 2025-26: Round 4 Preview & Betting Tips
Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC
Sky Stadium, Saturday 8th November, 5:00pm AEDT
The first New Zealand Derby of the season takes place in Wellington, with a top four clash between the two New Zealand sides. Auckland FC have picked up from where they left off in their maiden season, sitting atop the table with a 2-1-0 record. The Phoenix are also unbeaten, with a 1-2-0 record to sit in fourth place, two points behind their rivals and they will be desperate to finally get a win over Auckland.
Auckland dominated proceedings against their fellow New Zealand side in their first season, winning all three games, including a 6-1 win in their last last matchup against Wellington. Auckland FC will be looking to their excellent defence to lead the way once again. After being the second best defence in the league last season, Auckland FC are the equal best defence in the A-League through the first three weeks of the season, having conceded just one goal. Wellington on the other hand, have conceded in all three games so far this season, and have shown a vulnerability at the back.
Auckland still look like the best team in the competition after three weeks, and the disappointment of last season’s finals campaign is driving them to go further in ‘25/’26. They have shown an ability to lift against their rivals. Their defence is in outstanding form which has allowed them to control the tempo of games in the manner they did last season. Auckland will continue their excellent start to the season and make it four from four against their arch rivals.
Auckland FC to Win
$1.75 (1.5 Units)
Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City
AAMI Park, Saturday 8th November, 7:35pm AEDT
The 50th installment of the Melbourne Derby is a Grand Final rematch, as Victory and City face off for the first time since last season’s decider. The reigning champions currently sit third on the table with one win and two draws, while Victory are in seventh place, but are just one point behind City, with a 1-1-1 record after three games. Victory got their first win of the season last week, with a 2-0 win on the road against the struggling Perth Glory.
The big worry for Victory is their work in the attacking half, especially given how good City have been defensively this season. Victory have scored 4 goals, and have the lowest xG of any side in the A-League (4), struggling to create high quality chances. Melbourne City are the equal best defensive outfit in the league this season, allowing only one goal through the first three rounds of the season. City’s ability to get set defensively has come on the back of their work through the midfield where they have dominated, ranking second in the A-League for possession (59.7%).
Five out of the last eight games between the two Melbourne sides have been level after 90 minutes, and this will be a tight tussle as most Derby’s are. However City’s advantage in the front half will prove crucial against their rivals, who have struggled to start this season. City were 8-2-3 at home last season, and are currently 1-0 with a 4-0 win in their only game at AAMI Park this season. The reigning champions will get the job done in the first Melbourne Derby of the season.
Melbourne City to Win
$2.25 (1.5 Units)
Sydney FC vs Macarthur
Leichhardt Oval, Sunday 9th November, 3:00pm AEDT
Sydney FC will be looking for a third straight win when they take on Macarthur at Leichhardt on Sunday. The Sky Blues sit in second place after convincing wins over Central Coast and Newcastle in their last two games, and are shaping up to be a genuine contender this season. Macarthur are 5th on the table with one win, one draw and one loss from their opening three games, struggling to find any consistency through the early part of the season.
Sydney FC have scored the second most goals in the league this season (8) and have the best goal difference (+4). The Sky Blues are coming off a dominant 4-1 win over Newcastle where they managed to have 19 shots on goal, with only 42% possession. To highlight Sydney’s attacking prowess, they have two of the top four goal scorers in the league with Al Hassan Toure (3 goals) and Patrick Wood (2 goals), as well as the league’s leading assist getter Joe Lolley (2 assists).
Patrick Wood also loves playing against Macarthur, having scored 5 goals against the Bulls, the most of any player in games between Sydney FC and Macarthur. Sydney FC are in hot form and have won two of their last three games against Macarthur, and their attacking game will be too much for the Bulls to handle. $1.75 in the head to head markets is good value, and the handicap markets are certainly worth a consideration in this fixture, given how good the Sky Blues have been this season.
Sydney FC to Win
$1.75 (2 Units)
