• Join
  • Login
  • BNA Twitter
  • BNA Facebook
  • 23:58:52 AEST
  • Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • Gamble Responsibly 18+
Melbourne Victory Honda

A-League Tips: Match Week 18

Tagged: A-League Tips

Muscat's Melbourne closing in on Popa's Perth

The top-of-the-table clash between Victory and Glory is not only the match of the round 18, but the match of the season so far.

That cracker fixture takes place on Sunday, and will go a long way to deciding who takes out top spot.

Before that is a battle at the other end of the table, as the Mariners and Wanderers face off for a much needed win.

And don't overlook the interesting 4th vs 5th clash, when the newly-crowned comeback kings Adelaide take on Melbourne City.

 

Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners

A-League Odds: WSW $1.67 / Draw $4.20 / Mariners $4.33

The Wanderers have hit rock bottom.

There were reasonably high hopes for the side from Western Sydney coming into the season, after some good signings and managing to secure ex-Liverpool player Marcus Babbel as head coach.

But that hasn't translated into results on the pitch, with the Wanderers only recording two victories all season.

Last week saw their worst performance yet, getting thumped 5-1 by the 7th-placed Jets.

 

The Wanderers' defence has been their weakness all season. They have conceded a league-high 21 goals at home.

Tarek Elrich hasn't had the best time of it as a centre-back, and would prefer to play in his favoured left-back role occupied by Raul Llorente.

Captain and fellow centre back Brendan Hamill is also struggling at the back.

When you're captain doesn't inspire much confidence, it's no wonder the Wanderers are struggling.

Another major issue for Western Sydney has been their home form. Part of what made the Wanderers so successful in their early years was the incredible atmosphere generated at Parramatta Stadium.

The redevelopment of that ground has seen the Wanderers play at both ANZ Stadium and Spotless Stadium in Homebush, where they don't enjoy anywhere near the same level of home support.

In a revealing A-league stat, the Wanderers have only secured a league low 4 points from their home games.

Therefore, the Mariners are in with a real chance here.

Their problem has been their away from, where they have only picked up a solitary point from their travels this campaign.

However, Mike Mulvey and the Mariners have really turned things around of late, and were unlucky not to get something more from last week's 3-2 loss to Victory.

Andrew Hoole scored two stunning free kicks. He has more than enough quality to cause Western Sydney's defence plenty more headaches.

A-League StatKey A-League Stat

  • Central Coast have lost their past 8 A-League away matches: Wanderers to win @ $1.67

A-League TipA-League Tip: Total match goals over 3.5 @ $2.25

Reasoning: As neither of these teams are all that good at defending, expect a goal-fest here.

 

Melbourne City vs Adelaide United

A-League Odds: City $2.10 / Draw $3.50 / United $3.20

Adelaide United will be flying high after producing one of the best comebacks in A-League history last week.

Against the Roar, the Reds were down 3-0, before storming back to win 4-3.

 

This was the first time in the A-League that a team has won in regulation time after trailing 3-0.

The fact that the final goal was scored in the 97th minute made the victory all the more exhilarating for Marco Kurz and his players.

And what an effort it was, especially after Adelaide's Ken Ilso was sent off inside the first ten minutes.

The Reds will be without Ilso here, but have more than enough attacking options to cover him.

Craig Goodwin has had a standout season in his return to Adelaide, while last week's match winner Nikola Mileusnic will likely start after coming on off the bench against the Roar.

That win put the Reds ahead of Melbourne City on the ladder. 

Fourth place will again be on the line in this clash, as both teams vie for a top four finish and a home final.

Melbourne City are coming off a disappointing defeat to Sydney FC last round. 

Despite dominating the possession with 63%, the Citizens didn't do enough with the ball and went down 2-0.

Warren Joyce will be looking to his young group to bounce back at home.

City are a much better team playing on their home turf, and have only tasted defeat once at home all season.

Their last home game produced another 4-3 thriller, where they got the better of the Wanderers.

Don't expect them to find scoring so easy against Adelaide's defence.

A-League StatKey A-League stat

  • 3 of City's previous 4 Round 18 home matches have ended as a draw: Match to end in a draw @ $3.50

A-League TipA-League Tip: Match to end in a draw @ $3.50

Reasoning: If the match was in Adelaide, the Reds would be specials. But in Melbourne, a draw looks the more likely outcome.  

 

Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory

A-League Odds: Victory $2.20 / Draw $3.50 / Glory $2.88

The best is certainly saved for last, as Sunday's fixture sees first take on second in a clash that has huge ramifications for who takes out the A-League Premiership.

Perth are four points clear at the summit, and any result here would just about wrap up first place, considering how good they have been at home.

But it's their away form that's been out of this world, with the Glory still undefeated on the road.

With Andy Keogh firing and Chris Ikonimidis back in the side after featuring at the Asian Cup, the visitors are looking particularly strong once again.

Both of these players got their names on the scoresheet in last week's 3-0 demolition of the high-flying Phoenix.

This game also marked the fourth consecutive clean sheet for Tony Popovic's men, which has coincided with Matthew Spiranovic's return from injury.

Spiranovic is an absolute rock, and before an unlucky run with injuries, was considered one of Australia's best centre backs.

He will relish the chance of helping Glory keep the opposition scoreless once again.

It won't be easy, considering Kevin Muscat's men are the top scorers this campaign.

Kiwi flyer Kosta Barbarouses and quality Swedish import Ola Toivenen lead the way with 9 and 10 goals respectively.

And in a boost for their goal-scoring chances, Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda is expected to make his return from a hamstring injury.

While this is likely to be off the bench, Honda's superior class may prove the difference if this game goes down to the wire.

Honda has scored 5 goals and made 3 assists in his 8 A-League games to date.

Therefore, as good as Perth's defence has been, stopping Melbourne's scoring might prove a bridge too far.

But with plenty of goals in them, the Glory are also expected to find the back of the net in what is shaping up as the game of the season so far.

A-League StatKey A-League stat

  • Perth have won their previous 3 A-League matches as an away underdog: Perth Glory to win @ $2.88

A-League TipA-League Tip: Match to end in a draw @ $3.50

Reasoning: At their absolute best, Melbourne would be taking out the win at home.

But it's impossible to tip them to win considering the form Perth are in, especially on the road. So a draw looks like the best bet.

Share On:

Trending Racing & Sport News

Souths Cameron Murray

NRL Best Bets and Tips: Round 0

The 2024 NRL season commences in Las Vegas with an iconic double-header. This marks the league's foray into the United S.....

Feb 27, 2024 02:00PM
READ MORE right-arrow

NFL Superbowl2019

AFC Championship 2024 NFL Tips and Best Bets

Get ready for an brilliant weekend of NFL and it all kicks off with the AFC Championship match. The Baltimore Ravens and.....

Jan 24, 2024 11:00AM
READ MORE right-arrow

Los Angeles Rams

NFL Monday Night Football Tips and Best Bets 14/11/23

Buffalo Performance Review Entering Week 10, the Bills confront an unfamiliar playoff-less reality, a departure from Jos.....

Nov 14, 2023 10:00AM
READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Tips for NCLS Game 7 25/10/23

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

Oct 24, 2023 05:00PM
READ MORE right-arrow

Sports Betting Topics


Tweets by @BettingNetworkA

More Sports & Racing news you might like

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Tips for NCLS Game 7 25/10/23

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Tips for Game 7 NCLS 2023

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

READ MORE right-arrow

New Orleans Minnesota Vikings

Free NFL Betting Preview 15/9/2021

The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up to maintain their winning momentum in Week 2 as they take on the Minnesota Viking.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Pitsburgh Steelers Roethlisberger

Free NFL Betting Picks 25/8/2023

Preseason Football Matchup Analysis In the final preseason clash, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0, 2-0 ATS, 1-1 O/U) are se.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Boston RedSox Chris Sale

MLB Betting Picks: Best plays for All Star Game 2023

The 93rd edition of the Midsummer Classic will be played on Tuesday, July 11, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. .....

READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Picks: Best plays for 7th June 2023

The upcoming game between the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays is set to be an exciting contest between two comp.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Copyright © 2024 S92 www.bettingnetworkaustralia.com.au

Stay in Control. For gambling help call 1800 858 858 or your local State gambling helpline, Gamblers Help, Mission Australia or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. Users must be at least 18 years old.

www.bettingnetworkaustralia.com.au (the "site") is not a bookmaking or wagering website. As such the site does not provide bookmaking or wagering services. We are a tipping and information service site. If you choose to take tips or use information on this website, you acknowledge and agree that you will only wager with licensed service providers for your jurisdiction. For help call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. Our Terms and Conditions are listed here.

Feedback