There were plenty of ladder changes in and around the top 6 after last week's A-League results. The fight for a finals position is well and truly on in an entertaining season, so check out our preview and A-League best bets of Round 18 below!
A-League Round 18 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide United vs Melbourne City
Coopers Stadium, Friday 7th February, 7:35pm AEDT
Adelaide United will be out to bounce back from a disappointing loss last week, when they host Melbourne City on Friday night. City are in desperate need of a win after back to back losses saw them fall out of the top six, and they will be fresh after having the bye in Round 17. Despite being in seventh place, Melbourne City are only one point behind third placed Melbourne Victory, so a win in this clash would shake the makeup of the top six.
Adelaide United are the second highest scoring team in the league this season (32 goals), while City ranks seventh (21 goals scored). The Reds have two of the top eleven goal scorers in the league with Archie Goodwin (2nd, 7 goals) and Stefan Muak (11th, 5 goals). Zach Clough is second for assists (6), with Adelaide United having no shortage of players who can create or finish opportunities.
Adelaide United have won two of the last three matchups between the two sides, and are unbeaten in their last nine home games against Melbourne City. A trip to Coopers Stadium after two losses and a bye is a tough situation for City, who will be looking to make this game a dour affair. The Reds’ will be too relentless in the front third for City to hold off, and will bounce back with a win.
Adelaide United
$2.05 (2 Units)
Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 8th February, 7:35pm AEDT
Saturday night sees the third Sydney Derby of season 2024-25, as the Wanderers travel to Allianz Stadium to take on Sydney FC. Three points separate the fifth placed Sky Blues from the eighth placed Wanderers, in what is a crucial game for both sides. Sydney ended a two game losing streak with an emphatic 4-1 win over Adelaide United last week, while the Wanderers weren’t at their best in Round 17 but got over the line against Brisbane.
Sydney FC produced arguably their best performance of the season against a red hot Adelaide United last week, scoring four goals and holding Adelaide United to just one goal, despite them recording 15 shots on goal. It’s the all round performance that the Sky Blues haven’t consistently produced this season. Sydney had gone goalless in three of their last four games prior to last week, and had conceded six goals in the two games prior.
Sydney FC are the highest scoring team in the A-League this season, and this is a facet of the game that they should be able to get on top in this fixture. The Sky Blues have had the wood over their crosstown rivals in recent times, winning four straight Sydney Derbies, including the two that have occurred this season. With their spot in the top six on the line, expect a fired up Sydney FC outfit to continue their stranglehold over their rivals.
Sydney FC
$1.70 (2 Units)
Macarthur vs Western United
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sunday 9th February, 5:00pm AEDT
The final game of Round 18 is another top six shaping game as Macarthur host Western United. The Bulls are in sixth place after their loss against league leaders Auckland, while Western United have leapt to fourth place thanks to a three game unbeaten run. Only one point separates seventh from third, so the result of this clash will have many implications on the top six.
Western United struggled to convert their dominance in general play to the scoreboard last week against the Mariners, missing out on two valuable points. They face a massive challenge against a quality Macarthur defence that is the fifth best defence in the league. There is a heavy reliance of Hiroshi Ibusuki and Noah Botic to generate scoring opportunities, so if the Bulls can limit their influence, it will go a long way towards winning.
Although they couldn’t hold on to secure all three points, Macarthur more than held their own on the road against Auckland FC, and should be full of confidence heading back home. Western United have never won at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in five matches at the venue, and they won’t be able to turn around their form against a Macarthur side that will be desperate to launch themselves towards the top two.
