With just three points separating fourth placed Newcastle from tenth placed Wellington, there’s plenty of table shaping clashes in Round 13 of the A-League. It’s a big weekend of football, and BeforeYouBet has you covered with our best bets!
A-League 2025-26: Round 13 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne City vs Auckland FC
AAMI Park, Friday 16th January, 7:35pm AEDT
It’s a massive top six clash to kick off Round 13 as sixth placed Melbourne City host league leaders Auckland FC. Melbourne City are in the midst of a form slump having won only one of their last five games after a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at home in Round 12. City are clinging onto their spot in the top six, and are only two points clear of 10th placed Wellington, so a loss in this clash could be disastrous to their position on the table.
Auckland FC, by contrast, have been the model of consistency all season, having the second best defence in the competition (11 goals conceded) and the third ranked attack in the league (18 goals scored). They’ve carried that form through tough away fixtures as well as at home, and their ability to dictate tempo from the middle of the park has helped them grind out results even when chances have been limited. They’ve become accustomed to grinding out results in low scoring affairs since coming into the league last season.
Home ground advantage won’t play a factor in this clash, with City boasting an average home record of 2-2-3, while Auckland are the best away team in the A-League with a 4-2-0 record in away games. City are struggling to put their best football together, while Auckland continue to produce results week after week. Auckland FC will make this game slow and at their tempo, and they’ll do enough to get over the line away from home.
Auckland FC to Win
$2.75 (1 Unit)
Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory
Cooper’s Stadium, Saturday 17th January, 7:35pm AEDT
Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory in what could be one of the more unpredictable matchups of Round 13. Adelaide have shown flashes of brilliance this campaign, but their 5-1-6 record highlights their inconsistency this season. Melbourne Victory were bottom of the league, but then peeled off four consecutive wins to jump into the top six. Their winning streak was brought to an end by Western Sydney, and now the Victory need to win to get back into the top six.
Melbourne Victory’s improvement has come on the back of a big lift from their defence which is now ranked in the top six after being the worst in the league earlier this season, and it’s an area they’ll lean on heavily in this match. The Victory will be looking to take the sting out of this game and make it a slow affair, to give their defence an opportunity to get set behind the ball.
The statistical profile of both of these teams is very similar, with both teams capable of excellence and some ordinary football. Given the unpredictable nature of both teams the draw is where we will be looking in this game, especially given Victory’s desire to turn games into a grind this season. Adelaide United will get opportunities in front of goal, but ultimately Victory will hold on to share the points.
Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix
Allianz Stadium, Sunday 18th January, 5:30pm AEDT
Round 13 rounds out with a mismatch between second placed Sydney FC and tenth placed Wellington Phoenix. The Sky Blues are having a brilliant season with a 7-1-3 record, and are only two points behind league leaders Auckland FC, with a game in hand. The Phoenix are in tenth place on the table but are only three points behind fourth place, so their finals hopes are still well and truly alive.
Sydney FC have been brilliant at both ends of the pitch, possessing the best defence in the A-League (7 goals conceded) and scoring the third most goals in the league (18). Wellington haven’t displayed that consistency, being a quality attacking side (22 goals scored, 2nd in the league), and being a poor defensive outfit conceding the second most goals in the league (19). Sydney FC can contain Ifeanyi Eze, their defence should hold up against the Phoenix.
The Sky Blues have won seven of their last ten games and their consistency in all facets of the game is going to be far too much for Wellington to contain. Sydney FC’s winning percentage against Wellington is the second highest of any opposition across the history of the A-League, and they’ll continue their winning ways convincingly against the Phoenix. Five of Sydney FC’s seven wins this season have come by margins of 2+ goals, so the handicap is great value in this clash.
Sydney FC -1
$2.25 (1.5 Units)
