The race for the A-League Premiers Plate is heating up, with Adelaide United now hot on the heels of ladder leaders Melbourne City.
A huge clash awaits the South Australians, who will face the Western Sydney Wanderers in the game of the round.
Check out our Matchday 22 preview and A-League betting tips below.
2022-23 A-League: Round 22 Preview & Betting Tips
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Adelaide United
Friday 31st March, 7.45pm (AEDT)
The Wanderers will host a rampant Adelaide on Friday night, who are now within just four points of Melbourne City.
United have won three games on the trot, including a 5-1 demolition of Wellington last week, so they are well placed to take it up to Western Sydney on their home turf.
Last week’s performance displayed Adelaide’s attacking prowess – they have scored 44 goals this second, the second most in the league.
Fortunately for the Wanderers, they have been the best defensive team all year, so the men in red and black should have the tools to combat Adelaide’s scoring power.
Historically, these two teams have been closely matched, with only one non-draw result coming from the last five games between them.
Considering the high stakes involved in this match and the differing strengths of each team, I’m backing a low-scoring draw in Sydney on Friday.
Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday 1st April, 1.00pm (AEDT)
Wellington will look to bounce back from a thumping loss last start when they host Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
Despite going down 5-1 to Adelaide, the Phoenix are still firmly entrenched in the top six, sitting four points clear of Sydney FC in fifth place.
On the other hand, Melbourne are stuck at the bottom of the table, having failed to build any momentum in the campaign so far.
The Victory are just about out of finals contention, so it’s difficult to see how they will motivate themselves for the remainder of the season. However, Melbourne have a great head-to-head record against the Phoenix, with three wins from the previous four encounters between these teams.
Nevertheless, Wellington have been in fine form and if they are the real deal, they should consign Melbourne to a 12th loss of the campaign on home soil.
Wellington Phoenix to Win
$2.30 (2 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Brisbane Roar
Saturday 1st April, 5.00pm (AEDT)
Central Coast will be out to arrest a slight slide on Saturday, when they welcome the struggling Brisbane Roar.
The Mariners were right behind ladder leaders Melbourne City at one point, but now they are stuck in a dogfight for fourth with Wellington.
Conversely, Brisbane have showed some signs of improvement despite languishing in 11th, with two wins from their last four matches.
This will be a tough test for the Roar though, who have not beaten the Mariners in four previous outings.
Central Coast’s fearsome attacking unit, which has been led by Jason ‘Cumdog’ Cummings, should be too strong for a Brisbane side that has scored just 19 goals this season.
With plenty on the line, expect the Mariners to come out firing on Saturday evening.
Central Coast Mariners to Win
$1.85 (3 Units)
Sydney FC vs Western United
Saturday 1st April, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Two sides vying for a spot in the finals will meet on Saturday night, with Sydney FC taking on Western United.
Sydney have had a couple of rough results in recent weeks and are currently holding onto sixth place by the skin of their teeth, while Western United are winners of three of their last four games and are now only two points behind Sydney.
The Sky Blues were thumped 4-0 by their Western Sydney rivals last time out, and they’ve nailed failed to score in each of their last two games.
Likewise, United couldn’t find the back of the net against Brisbane last outing, but their form prior to that was promising.
There’s little separating these teams at the moment, and that makes this a genuine 50/50 in my opinion. Western United to win is the value here.
Western United to Win
$4.20 (0.5 Units)
Perth Glory vs Macarthur FC
Saturday 1st April, 10.00pm (AEDT)
The fourth game of a Super Saturday in the A-League will see Perth Glory host Macarthur FC in what looms as a do-or-die fixture for both clubs.
Glory have been in the better form of the two having picked up points in nine of their last 12 games, albeit with only four wins during that span. Meanwhile, Macarthur have secured points in only four of their last 10 games.
Both sides have only been able to keep one clean sheet between them in their last 10 games, which should make for an entertaining match on Saturday night.
At home, however, you have to give the edge to the Glory when you consider their superior form coupled with the advantage of the crowd.
With that said, taking Glory to win for a couple of units will be our play in this one.
Perth Glory to Win
$2 (2 Units)
Melbourne City vs Newcastle Jets
Sunday 2nd April, 3.00pm (AEDT)
Looking to continue their dominance in this matchup, Melbourne City will take on the Newcastle Jets in the lone Sunday game in Round 22.
The Citizens have won seven of their last eight fixtures against the Jets at AAMI Park, and they also sit atop the ladder despite a couple of wayward results in recent weeks.
The Jets are currently sitting in seventh spot on the table and two points behind the all-important sixth place, so every game is just about a must-win for them.
However, seldom do them come away with a result in this fixture and it’s tough to see them getting anything out of it on this occasion as well.
Melbourne City should be far too good.
Melbourne City -1.5
$2 (2 Units)
