It’s a big couple of days coming up in the A-League as the 26th and 27th of December sees a full round of matches played. As always, the Sunday League Shark is back with his full preview and betting tips for the Round 6 action below.
A-League Round 6 Betting Tips
Macarthur FC vs Sydney FC
Sunday 26th December, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Macarthur FC have looked the team to beat in the A-League through five rounds. They have rolled through their NSW opponents so far, racking up a 4-1-0 with wins against Sydney, Central Coast, Western Sydney and Newcastle. They will be looking for another win over Sydney FC this Sunday night before a tough stretch against interstate teams begins.
Sydney FC haven’t exactly been their dominant self, but they have definitely been competitive through five rounds. They have a 1-2-2 record, picking up their first win of the season on the weekend as the downed the Wellington Phoenix 2-1 at home. Their two losses have come to good opponents in Macarthur and Central Coast, and they’ll be right back in the hunt if they can score maximum points here.
It’s interesting that Macarthur FC start as underdogs here, especially given the fact that they are undefeated on the season so far and have already won one game against Sydney FC on the road. However, Sydney FC did beat them just a few weeks ago in the FFA Cup, scoring two goals in extra time to win after the game finished 0-0. After the win over Wellington on the weekend, I think Sydney are starting to come good, and $2.40 for them here seems like good value.
Melbourne Victory vs Western United
Sunday 27th December, 7.45pm (AEDT)
The marquee matchup of the week sees the Melbourne Victory squaring off against state rivals Western United in a Boxing Day clash from AAMI Park. The Victory sit in 3rd place on the ladder with a 3-1-1 record, their only loss this season coming at the hands of Perth Glory a few weeks ago. Since then, they have bounced back with a win over Adelaide and draw with Melbourne City on the weekend. Interestingly, they have been pretty poor at AAMI Park in recent history, winning just two of their last 11 games there.
Western United kicked off the season with a loss to the Melbourne Victory, but since then they have been arguably the best team in the league. They have won their last four games on the trot, including wins over the likes of Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide to have them currently in 2nd place on the A-League table with a 4-0-1 record. Not sure if you’d exactly call this a road game for Western United considering they do play some home games at AAMI, but their road record of late hasn’t been fantastic, winning just one of their last eight away from home.
Melbourne Victory have had the wood over Western Sydney in their last two games including a 6-1 demolition job over them back in June of this year. They start as $2.00 favourites here, but I’m leaning the other way for the value that Western United represents. Whether it be AAMI Park or Marvel Stadium, Western United are 3-0-0 against Melbourne Victory when they are the road side, back them to secure at least one point here.
Western United Double Chance
$1.72
Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix
Monday 27th December, 4.05pm (AEDT)
The Central Coast Mariners will square off against the Wellington Phoenix in the first game of the Monday double header to close our Round 5. Central Coast are coming off a dominant mid-week clash against local team APIA Tigers, where they won 6-0 to move onto the next round. They have won their last three in all competitions, coming off wins against both Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League.
Wellington Phoenix currently sit in 10th place on the A-League table. They drew and won their first two games respectively, but have since gone onto lose their last three in a row to the Wanderers, Jets and Sydney FC. They have, however, sandwiched two FFA Cup wins in the last few weeks, beating out Western United and Avondale FC.
I like the Mariners here. History hasn’t been in their favour against the Phoenix, losing seven of their last eight against Wellington, but I feel like the New Zealand outfit just hasn’t been firing on all cylinders since the news came out that their entire A-League season would need to be played in Australia.
Other Tips
Newcastle Jets vs Western Sydney Wanderers – Draw ($3.50 at Sportsbet)
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne City – Betting Tip Coming Soon
