There is just 3 weeks remaining of the regular season for the 2015-16 A-league season and we have taken a look at all the round 25 action and offered our Preview and Betting Tips.
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Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers (Friday 7.40pm AEDT)
With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the defending champions and premiership favourites at the start of the season are still battling it out to ensure they are a part of the finals series. They played a poor match against the Jets at home and were lucky to settle for a draw. The only recent win they have is against the Central Coast Mariners and they are on the bottom of the table and have been the worst team all season.
Meanwhile the Wandereres are back on the top of the table after they held Adelaide United to a 0-0 draw. The week before they defeated the Jets in a match they could have easily lost. They have done enough this season to find a way to win but with so much at stake for the Victory we are expecting this to be a fiery contest with both sides lifting. Mitch Nichols will need to regain the form he showed earlier in the season and he has the ability to avoid the Victory midfield as they haven’t properly replaced Mark Milligan who left at the end of last season. However, we believe this match will end with both sides splitting the points.
TIP: Draw @ $3.55 with Sportsbet
Newcastle Jets vs Perth Glory (Saturday 5.15pm AEDT)
The Glory continue to be the inform team of the competition and they are facing a team they have already defeated twice over the last two months including a meeting just three weeks ago. The combine score of those games is 8-1 and we expect the Glory to continue their dominance against the Jets this weekend. The Glory defeated the Jets 6-1 on Newcastle’s home soil so that shouldn’t pose a threat on Saturday.
The Jets have been putting up a fight throughout the last month of football but their season is over. They earned a draw on the road last week against the Victory and the Glory shouldn’t think they are just going to rock up and get the three points. However, the Glory has won their last three straight including defeating the Phoenix last week in Wellington and we expect them to win and cement their position in the top six.
TIP: Glory @ $2.00 with CrownBet
Brisbane Roar vs Sydney FC (Saturday 7.30pm AEDT)
The Sky Blues had the opportunity to heap a lot of pressure on the Glory and Victory in the first for a finals position as they were leading the bottom placed Mariners 2-0 with under 5 minutes remaining in the match. It would have done a lot for the confidence as well as narrowed the margin if they were to hold on but it wasn’t to be as the Mariners found the back of the net twice including one that was a massive howler from the goal keeper.
Sydney FC’s confidence would have taken a huge hit, as they weren’t able to close out a match against the bottom placed side. Meanwhile the Roar seemed to be flying as they defeated the Wanderers and then demolished the Victory 5-0 in consecutive weeks but they were brought back down to earth as they lost to City 3-1. The Roar managed to come out on top 3-1 in the latest match up as the Sky Blues struggled to create chances whilst the Roar took advantage of those. Suncorp Stadium has been a fortress for the Roar this season and we expect them to win and all but end Sydney’s chances of taking part in the finals.
TIP: Roar @ $1.95 with Ladbrokes
Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners (Sunday 5pm AEDT)
Despite earning a result against Sydney FC last week and giving their fans something to finally cheer about, the Mariners are still going to be earning the unwanted wooden spoon at the end of the season. They have struggled with their defence all season and remarkably haven’t kept a clean sheet all season.
The Reds have slumped in their last two games to a defeat and a draw but they should kick their way back into form this weekend against the bottom placed Mariners. They were the inform team of the competition and had climbed from the bottom of the table to the top before only picking up one point in their last two games. The side has a good balance of attack and defence and after earning the three points against the Mariners at the Central Coast not too long ago we are backing them to come out on top on home soil.
TIP: HT/FT – Adelaide/Adelaide @ $1.80 with William Hill
Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix (Sunday 7.30pm AEDT)
City have climbed into second position on the ladder on the back of three straight wins including two against top six sides. The most improved area for the side has been their defence as they have conceded just one goal across those three games whilst still managing to find the back of the net on seven occasions.
The Phoenix came out on top when these two sides last met a month ago but the match was played in Wellington. City now have the home soil advantage and we expect their great form to continue as they could possibly be playing for top spot come Sunday night. They will earn the three points in this one.
TIP: City @ $1.60 with Palmerbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
