There’s mid week action for A-League fans as Round 20 kicks off in Sydney on Wednesday night. This week’s action is headlined by a blockbuster clash in the Big Blue between the Victory and Sydney FC! Catch our best bets for the round below.
A-League 2025-26: Round 20 Preview & Betting Tips
Macarthur vs Central Coast Mariners
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Wednesday 4th March, 7:00pm
The opening match of Round 20 sees a top six place up for grabs as Macarthur host the Central Coast Mariners. Two straight losses and four games without a win has Macarthur clinging onto their place in the top six, as they face a crucial clash against a Mariners side who sit just two points behind them. The Bulls were humiliated in a 4-0 defeat against Western Sydney last week, who were on the bottom of the table before the result.
The Mariners come into this game after ending Newcastle’s nine game winning streak, holding the league leaders to a 0-0 draw. While that result will be a huge confidence boost, Central Coast’s underlying numbers tell a familiar story, they’ve struggled for consistency at both ends of the pitch. Central Coast have struggled away from home this season, recording just ten points from eight away games - the third worst away record in the competition.
Both teams rank in the bottom four for goals this season having scored just 24 goals, Macarthur have been goalless in their last two games and haven’t scored above two goals in any of their last four games. This will be a dour affair between two sides who have shown glimpses this season, but haven’t been able to put it together consistently. With a top six spot at stake, expect a low risk game from Macarthur.
Under 2.5 Total Goals
$2.30 (1 Unit)
Newcastle Jets vs Western Sydney Wanderers
McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday 7th March, 5:00pm AEDT
Newcastle’s bid to equal the A-League’s longest winning streak fell one game short, as the streak ended at nine games after their goalless draw against the Mariners. The Jets will look to get back on the winners list when they host eleventh placed Western Sydney who will be buoyed after an upset win against Macarthur last week. The Wanderers were on the bottom of the table before the 4-0 win, in what was a shocking result, but one they needed desperately.
Newcastle Jets have been the standout stories of the 2025–26 A-League campaign. Sitting at or near the top of the table after 19 rounds. The Jets have played a brilliant attacking brand of football, scoring 41 goals, the most in the competition. To highlight the Jets work in attack, they’ve scored eight more goals than Adelaide who are ranked second for goals scored. The Wanderers are ranked 10th, having scored just 21 goals, despite four goals being scored in their last game.
This looms as a massive mismatch between one of the best teams in the league and one of the worst. Newcastle come into this game with nine wins and a draw from their last ten games, while Western Sydney have won just three of their last thirteen games. The Jets will be far too good from an attacking standpoint, and will make light work of the Wanderers.
Newcastle to Win
$2.10 (2 Units)
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 7th March, 7:35pm AEDT
One of the oldest rivalries in the A-League will be renewed on Saturday night as Melbourne Victory travel to Allianz Stadium for the Big Blue against Sydney FC. The Sky Blues are in third place after back to back wins, sitting four points ahead of Victory who are in fifth place. The Victory still need to win to keep the gap between themselves and the chasing pack on the edge of the top six, after their 1-1 draw with Adelaide United.
The Sky Blues will be looking for their defensive game to shine through against a Melbourne Victory side that has been up and down from an attacking standpoint. If Sydney FC can deny the Victory free flowing ball movement, it will go a long way towards winning this game. However they couldn’t produce that in their last matchup against the Victory, which ended in a 4-0 defeat. The most goals the league’s best defence has conceded in a game this season.
In a clash like this, Sydney’s balance and structure through the midfield and defence should make the difference. Sydney FC rank second in the A-League for possession (54.1%), which gives their defence a great opportunity to get set behind the ball and deny attacking opportunities for their opposition. The Victory struggled to capitalise on attacking opportunities last week, and things will only get tougher against the best defensive outfit in the competition.
Sydney FC to Win
$2.40 (1.5 Units)
