The Auckland juggernaut continues to roll on as the only team with a perfect record heading into Round 4 of the exciting new A-League season. It’s a jam-packed weekend of football before the international break, and we’ve got you covered with our full preview and best bets for all of Round 4’s action. Check out our tips below and good luck to everyone following along!
A-League 2024-25: Round 4 Preview & Betting Tips
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Newcastle Jets
CommBank Stadium, Friday 8th November, 7:35pm AEDT
The Wanderers will be looking to get their season back on track after a horror start which has them winless after three games. Western Sydney have looked like a side without an identity this season, which was clearly on show in their 4-3 defeat against Adelaide United last week. Newcastle are coming off a bye last week, but had a gritty win in their last game against Macarthur in Round 2.
There has been an abundance of issues for the Wanderers so far this season, having the second worst defence in the league, conceding seven goals in three games. The Wanderers have scored five goals, but there is no fluency in their game which is far from ideal for a side with finals aspirations. The Jets didn’t have any real expectations coming into this season, but do have the attacking quality to turn games in a matter of moments.
The past two games between the Wanderers and Jets have ended in scorelines of 3-3 and 2-2, and given what both teams have shown so far this season, there should be plenty of goals in this game. The Wanderers will be desperate to bounce back, while Newcastle have been solid across their two games this season, so the total goals market is where we’ll be going in this clash.
Over 3.5 Total Goals
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Saturday 9th November, 5:00pm AEDT
Back-to-back wins sees Melbourne Victory sitting in second place on the A-League table, with a chance to move to the top of the table with a win over Brisbane at home on Saturday afternoon. The Roar are at the bottom of the table as the only team without a point this season, after conceding a 90th minute goal to go down 3-2 against Sydney FC last week, a game in which Brisbane led twice in.
The Victory wore down Macarthur in a similar fashion to the Australia Cup Final, recording 22 shots on goal to 9 as well as recording 55% possession. However, unlike the cup final, they found a way through as Daniel Arzani and Reno Piscopo scored within six minutes of each other to turn a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 win. Victory have already shown improvements in their attacking game under new manager Patrik Kisnorbo, and will be looking to expose a struggling Roar defence.
Brisbane were one of the worst teams in the league away from home last season, with a 3-2-9 record on the road. The Roar have conceded five goals in their two games this season, and have only won one of their last nine A-League games dating back to March. The Victory will continue their strong start to the season and will jump to the top of the league.
Melbourne Victory
$1.65 (2 Units)
Adelaide United vs Western United
Coopers Stadium, Saturday 9th November, 7:35pm AEDT
A win and a draw from their first two games of the season has caused plenty of optimism in Adelaide, as Adelaide United host Western United on Saturday night. John Aloisi’s side has had a frustrating start to the season, with two draws and a loss putting them in 10th place. It’s been a struggle in the front third for Western United, who have scored just two goals across the first three rounds of the season - the third fewest in the A-League.
Adelaide United produced a wonderful attacking display, putting four goals past the Wanderers in a thrilling 4-3 win. Carl Veart’s side scored three times in the opening 27 minutes and created an abundance of attacking opportunities in Round 2 against reigning champion Central Coast Mariners. Adelaide United’s 5 goals is the equal second most in the league.
Western United struggled on the road last season, winning only three of their 14 away games - the second worst away record in the league. Western United haven’t shown anything to be worthy of placing any confidence in them, and their lack of attacking quality makes Adelaide United a difficult opponent. Adelaide United will be too good in this fixture.
Adelaide United
$1.70 (1.5 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Wellington Phoenix
Industree Group Stadium, Sunday 10th November, 4:00pm AEDT
The top two teams of the ‘23/’24 home and away season face off in a pivotal clash in Gosford. The Mariners quest for a three-peat hasn’t gotten off to a bright start, with just three points from the opening three rounds of the season after their 0-0 draw against Perth Glory. Wellington Phoenix conceded goals in the 88th and 96th minute to lose the first ever New Zealand Derby to Auckland FC, which seemed destined for a draw.
The Nix are sixth with a 1-1-1 record, in what has been an underwhelming start to their campaign after finishing second on the table last season. They get a great chance to get their campaign going, against a Mariners side that has scored only one goal this season, the equal fewest in the league. If the Phoenix can create a free-flowing game, they should be able to stretch the Mariners defence.
The Phoenix are one of the best value bets this weekend, given how bad Central Coast have been to start the season. The Mariners have failed to produce performances against Adelaide United and Perth Glory, so it’s difficult to see them turning things around against a quality outfit like Wellington. The Phoenix will pick up a win on the road to continue the defending champion’s poor start.
Wellington Phoenix
$3.60 (1 Unit)
Sydney FC vs Macarthur
Allianz Stadium, Sunday 10th November, 6:00pm AEDT
Sydney FC finally get to play at home after three games on the road to start the season, which they managed to win two of to be in third place on the table. The Sky Blues have a chance to solidify their position at the pointy end of the table when they face fellow New South Wales side Macarthur. Unlike in the Australia Cup Final, the Bulls couldn’t hold on against the weight of Melbourne Victory’s dominance, conceding two second half goals en route to a 2-1 defeat.
They weren’t at their best last week, but they produced when they needed to against Brisbane last week, coming from behind twice to win 3-2 in stoppage time. The Sky Blues had the better of the game winning the shot count 14-8, as well as maintaining 68% possession. It was slightly concerning that they conceded 2 goals from 3 Brisbane shots on target, however they should be better placed coming into this game given the ridiculous travel schedule they had in the A-League and AFC Cup over the past 5 weeks.
The Sky Blues are set for a big performance this week, and given what the Bulls have dished up in their consecutive defeats over the last fortnight, shows they’re incredibly vulnerable. Giving up leads in both games is of major concern, and if Sydney scores early in this clash, things could get out of hand quickly. Sydney won 8 out of their 13 games at Allianz Stadium last season, and will continue their strong form in their first home game of the season.
Perth Glory vs Melbourne City
HBF Park, Sunday 10th November, 8:45pm AEDT
Melbourne City head out west in the final game of Round 4, looking to establish their position inside the top four of the A-League table. Perth Glory snapped a seven-game losing run in the A-League, with a gritty 0-0 draw on the road against the Mariners. City were once again far from convincing in their clash last week, but they have two wins from three games to start the season.
Melbourne City will be without Marco Tilio (hamstring, 2 months) and Andrew Nabbout (ACL, season) in what could be season derailing injuries. It’s far from ideal for a side that struggled away from home last season, winning only four of their 13 away games, the 9th worst away record in the league. After a terrible Round 1 performance, Perth have shown a lot more over the past fortnight, however it’s still yet to yield a win.
Perth were brave last week, however it is still not enough to have confidence in backing them. The draw looms as a safe beat, that still provides great value given the struggles both clubs are having at the moment. Given the injuries to key attacking players, Melbourne City’s attacking capacity will be limited, so the draw is where we’ll be looking in this clash.
