New Zealand is dominating the A-League with Auckland and Wellington occupying the top two positions on the table. Round 6’s slate is headlined by an all-Victorian clash between Melbourne Victory and Western United, as an entertaining A-League season continues. As always, Jack Tobin has you covered with betting previews for every game of the upcoming round below!
A-League 2024-25: Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide United vs Perth Glory
Coopers Stadium, Friday 29th November, 7:35pm AEDT
Adelaide United have been the surprise packet of the opening part of the season, and they get a golden opportunity to continue their hot start when they take on 12th placed Perth Glory. After finishing eighth last season, Adelaide United have started with 3 wins and a draw to sit in fourth place, the reds are currently on a three-game winning streak.
As expected, it’s been another horror season for the Glory, who are winless from five games, have the worst defence in the league (16 goals conceded) and are the worst attacking side (2 goals scored). The Glory are lucky Brisbane Roar have been so bad to start this season, which has taken the spotlight off them in what has been a dreadful five game span.
Adelaide have scored 10 goals, ranked equal second in the competition, and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing against a shambolic Glory defence at home. Perth’s four losses have come by margins of 5 goals, 2 goals, 5 goals and 2 goals, and it’s difficult to see them keeping this clash close against an in-form Adelaide United outfit.
Adelaide United -1
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Auckland FC vs Newcastle Jets
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 30th November, 3:00pm AEDT
After back-to-back losses Newcastle head across the ditch to take on the all-conquering league leaders in a massive challenge. Auckland FC can do no wrong at the moment, still with a perfect record, still yet to concede a goal in what has been a remarkable debut season in the A-League.
Auckland picked up their fourth consecutive win with a 1-0 victory over Macarthur during Unite Round, in what was their least convincing performance to date. Auckland FC only managed to record 35% possession and had just 6 shots on goal to Macarthur’s 13, but the Black Knights defence held strong once again to take back top spot on the A-League table. Four straight wins is the best start ever for a new side in the history of the A-League, which has been built on the league’s best defence.
Four clean sheets in as many games for Auckland, against the Jets who have scored only four goals from four games, doesn’t inspire much faith in Newcastle winning this game. The Jets only won three of their fourteen games away from home last season, and with the momentum Auckland have behind them, they will fancy their chances to hold another side goalless.
Auckland FC to keep a clean sheet
$2.38 (1 Unit)
Melbourne City vs Western Sydney Wanderers
AAMI Park, Saturday 30th November, 5:00pm AEDT
Fresh off the bye, Melbourne City will be looking to continue their solid start to the season when they host the struggling Western Sydney Wanderers at home. The Wanderers have a 1-1-3 record after their 4-2 defeat against Sydney last week, their second loss to the Sky Blues in the first five rounds of the season.
Remarkably the Wanderers have scored the most goals in the league this season (11), however they have conceded 12 goals which is the second most, only in front of Perth. It’s been a chaotic start for a side in tenth place who had higher expectations, and they’re in desperate need of a win. After a shaky fortnight to start the season, City have picked up back-to-back wins against Western United and Perth to be sitting in fifth place.
Melbourne City have loved playing against the Wanderers of late, winning four of the last six meetings between the two sides - including a 7-0 back in March. City’s defence has been brilliant this season ranking equal second in the league (3 goals conceded), continually finding a way to grind out opponents. The home side won't have any issues getting past the Wanderers.
Melbourne City to Win
$1.78 (2 Units)
Macarthur vs Brisbane Roar
Campbelltown Sports Ground, Saturday 30th November, 7:35pm AEDT
It’s Round 6 and Brisbane Roar are still searching for their first point of the season, as they travel south to take on Macarthur. The Bulls have lost three of their last four games after a Round 1 win, to be in seventh place with a 2-0-3 record. Brisbane’s 3-2 defeat against Adelaide United last week was their fourth consecutive loss to start the season.
In all four games the Roar have conceded two or more goals, in what has been a side that has conceded goals at will. After scoring 6 goals in Round 1 against Perth, Macarthur have scored only 4 goals from their last four games. However, the Bulls should take confidence from a strong attacking performance against league leaders Auckland (18 shots to 6, and 65% possession), although they couldn’t break down Auckland’s defence, Brisbane will not be able to hold up under the same pressure.
This won’t be the most exciting game of the weekend; however, it is a simply must win for Macarthur to stay in the hunt for a spot in the top six. Brisbane have only one win from their last eleven A-league games, and have lost their last two games against the Bulls. Macarthur will be too good at home against the Roar.
Macarthur to Win
$1.80 (1 Unit)
Western United vs Melbourne Victory
AAMI Park, Sunday 1st December, 4:00pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, when they take on fellow Victorian side Western United who won their first game of the season last week. John Aloisi’s side got on the board with a 3-1 win over Perth Glory, thanks to a sixteen-minute blitz in the second half, where United scored all three goals. Western United had only scored three goals across their first four games of the season.
Melbourne Victory dominated proceedings against Wellington recording 18 shots to 6 and 58% possession, however they couldn’t capitalise on their dominance which left the door ajar for an 82-minute winner from former Victory star Kosta Barbarouses. The defeat saw Victory drop from first to third on the table, after winning three consecutive games. Melbourne’s early season success has come on the back of an excellent defence, ranking as the equal second-best defence, having conceded only 3 goals.
Western United have struggled in the front third this season, and it looms as a major issue for them coming into this game. Another issue is that they’re yet to record a clean sheet this season, despite having played two of the bottom four sides in the league. Expect a bounce back performance from Patrick Kisnorbo’s side who will be eager to be within touching distance of Auckland FC.
Melbourne Victory to Win
$1.75 (2 Units)
