Newcastle and Auckland were the big winners of Round 16 as they firmly established themselves in the top two. Third through to ninth place are still up for grabs, with only five points separating Sydney FC from Perth Glory, as we head towards the final stretch of the season. Below, we bring you our best bets for Round 17!
A-League 2025-26: Round 17 Preview & Betting Tips
Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
HBF Park, Friday 13th February, 9:45pm AEDT
The second game of Friday’s double header sees Newcastle head out west to take on the Glory. A hat-trick from Clayton Power led Newcastle to their sixth straight win, as the league leaders continue to produce a red hot attacking brand of football. Mark Milligan’s side have won eight of their last nine games, scoring 27 goals across those nine games, and scoring 3+ goals in each of their last three games. Perth come into this game after a 2-2 draw with Macarthur, which has them within three points of the top six.
Newcastle’s attacking brilliance has led them to the top of the league, scoring a league best 37 goals, 9 more than the next best team. In comparison, Perth are ranked ninth for goals scored with just 20 goals. If the Glory are to have any chance of winning the game, they need to make this game a slow slog and hope that they can pinch a goal against a Newcastle side that despite being the league leaders, have conceded the second most goals in the league.
The trip to Perth won’t hold any fears for the Jets, who have the league’s best away record at 6-0-2. The Glory have been one of the worst home teams in the competition, winning just three of their nine games at HBF Park this season. This game could get ugly, particularly if Newcastle get on the board early. The Jets have far too much attacking firepower for Perth to compete with, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. $2.30 is brilliant value for the hottest team in the league.
Newcastle to Win
$2.30 (2 Units)
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Saturday 14th February, 5:00pm AEDT
A huge game in the battle for the top six takes place on Saturday evening in Melbourne as the Victory take on Brisbane at AAMI Park. After a 3-2 win across the ditch against Wellington last week, Melbourne Victory jumped into fifth place and they’re now within two points of third spot. Three straight losses has put a dent in Brisbane’s season falling to eighth place on the table, and they are in desperate need to get back on track. Fortunately for the Roar, the nature of the table this season means they could be back in the top six with a win on Saturday.
Brisbane’s inability to be an attacking threat has held them back as other teams begin to surge past them, in a competition that favours aggressive teams. The Roar have the second worst attack in the league, scoring only 17 goals from 17 games, and they come up against a side that is in the top five for both goals scored and fewest goals conceded. Their performance against a struggling Mariners outfit was alarming, and it’s difficult to see them turning things around this week.
Brisbane’s defence has fallen apart over the past few weeks, conceding nine goals across their last three games. The Victory are beginning to put together some productive attacking performances, putting up three goals last week and four goals against Sydney FC in Round 14. Melbourne Victory will continue to heap the pain on an out of form Roar side.
Melbourne Victory to Win
$1.73 (1 Unit)
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 14th February, 7:35pm AEDT
It’s a Saturday night blockbuster in Sydney as Sydney FC and Adelaide United go head to head. After dominating the early parts of the season, the Sky Blues are on a slide having lost three of their last four games, after their 1-0 defeat against Auckland FC last week. Sydney FC are in third place on 25 points, only two points clear of Adelaide United who are in sixth place. This game is a genuine six pointer and will have big implications on the makeup of the top six.
The Reds come into this game with just one loss in their last five games, however that was in their last match, a 3-2 defeat to Newcastle. Adelaide United took it right up to the league leaders, however the Jets attacking quality was just too much in the end. This game pits the league’s best defence in Sydney (15 goals conceded) against the second best attack in the league in Adelaide (26 goals). The work of the Sky Blues back four against Adelaide United’s attacking unit will be the decisive factor in this game.
The Sky Blues haven’t been the most efficient attacking team at the moment, failing to score in three of their last four games. They haven’t been aggressive enough, and given the stakes of this game, there’s every chance they play a defensive orientated brand with little risk. The draw provides plenty of value in this game, especially given Sydney FC are a more talented side however Adelaide United are in much better form. A low scoring draw is on the cards at Allianz Stadium.
