Auckland and Wellington face off in another blockbuster Kiwi Clasico, which is set to shape the top four of the exciting 2024-25 A-League season. As always, Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview of every game for Round 7 below, and good luck to all those following along!
A-League 2024-25: Round 7 Preview & Betting Tips
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne City
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 6th December, 7:35pm AEDT
Round 7’s action kicks off in Queensland as cellar dwellers Brisbane Roar host fifth placed Melbourne City. The Roar picked up their first point of the season in thrilling fashion, with a goal in the 93rd minute giving the Roar a 4-4 draw against Macarthur. It was a remarkable result given two of Brisbane’s goals were own goals and they only recorded 37% possession.
Melbourne City missed a golden opportunity to be in the top three, after a shock 2-0 loss to the Wanderers at home. It was the first time in nine years that City had lost to the Wanderers at AAMI Park, and highlighted the inconsistency they have displayed this season. Melbourne City have gone win, loss, win, win, loss across their five games.
These two sides have played in some high scoring games, Brisbane won the last game 5-1, while Melbourne City won the fixture before that 8-0. One thing that simply cannot be ignored is Brisbane’s form line, they’ve won one of their last twelve A-League games, with their last win coming back in April. City are the best team on the road this season, with three wins from three games, so heading up to Brisbane shouldn’t hold any issues for them.
Melbourne City to Win
$2.25 (1 Unit)
Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 7th December, 3:00pm AEDT
The second ever Kiwi Derby kicks off Saturday’s slate, as league leaders Auckland FC look to make it a perfect six from six to start the season. The Phoenix come into this game in good form with back-to-back wins over the Mariners and Victory, before having a bye last week.
The Black Knights have been nearly perfect to start their existence with 5 wins, 0 losses and 0 goals conceded. Auckland FC have the league’s best defence, and knocked off their New Zealand rivals 2-0 in a dramatic match back in Round 3. Wellington are the second-best defensive team in the league having conceded only three goals from five games.
These teams match up similarly, building their games around a strong defence and doing enough in the front third to win games. Wellington are in great form and will be desperate to get one back over their younger brother after losing to them in the first Kiwi Derby.
Wellington Phoenix to Win
$3.90 (1 Unit)
Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United
McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday 7th December, 6:00pm AEDT
Newcastle will be looking to put an end to their three-game losing streak when they host third placed Adelaide United on Saturday night. The Reds had to settle for a 2-2 draw against twelfth placed Perth Glory, becoming only the second team that has failed to beat Perth this season. Adelaide scored twice in the space of two minutes early in the second half to take a 2-1 lead, however only 4 of their 26 shots were on target, in a game riddled by missed opportunities.
Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat against Auckland saw them fall to a 1-0-4 record, which has the Jets in eleventh place. Newcastle have scored only four goals this season, the second fewest of any team in the league. The Jets also have the ninth ranked defence, having conceded 10 goals and are yet to record a clean sheet, which looms as a major issue against the third best attacking team in the competition.
Adelaide United are two wins from two in away games this season, while Newcastle are winless from three games at home this season. Zach Clough is going to cause plenty of headaches for a struggling Jets defence, and it’s difficult to see their lacklustre attacking unit being dangerous enough to produce a winning score.
Adelaide United to Win
$1.92 (1 Unit)
Western United vs Macarthur
Ironbark Fields, Saturday 7th December, 6:00pm AEDT
Macarthur travel to Tarneit to take on Western United, as both sides look to keep in touch with the Top six. Macarthur are seventh on the table with a 2-1-3 record after becoming the first team in the league this season to not beat Perth, after the Bulls conceded an own goal in stoppage time of a 4-4 draw. Western United were comprehensively beaten by Melbourne Victory, and are in 10th place with just one win from six games.
Macarthur have scored a league high 14 goals this season, however 10 of those goals have come against the bottom two teams in the league in Perth and Brisbane. The Bulls have conceded 11 goals, which is the fourth most in the league this season and is the main reason they have only won two games to start this season.
Both teams have struggled to start this season, and have played out three draws in the last five head-to-head matchups against each other. Western United are yet to win at home this season, while Macarthur have one win and one loss in away games this season. This game will be tough for both sides, and the draw provides a lot of value in this fixture.
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Sunday 8th December, 5:00pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory got back to winning ways with an excellent performance against Western United, and could be at the top of the league if results go their way this weekend. Victory host a struggling Perth Glory, who are still winless after six games this season. Perth did manage to secure their second point of the season against Adelaide United last week, thanks to Adam Taggart's brace.
Victory comfortably accounted for their Victorian rivals last week, with the 3-1 another show of their attacking advancement under Patrick Kisnorbo. They will be very confident that they can expose the Glory who are the worst defence in the league having conceded a mammoth 18 goals in six games.
Melbourne Victory have loved playing against Perth in recent seasons, winning three consecutive games against the Glory by an aggregate scoreline of 9-3. Victory have won all four of their games at AAMI Park this season, while Perth Glory have gone nine straight away games without a win.
Melbourne Victory -1
$1.75 (2 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney FC
Industree Group Stadium, Sunday 8th December, 6:00pm AEDT
Round 6 finishes with an all New South Wales clash in Gosford as Central Coast host Sydney FC. Both the Mariners and Sky Blues had the bye last week, with both clubs winning their last games in Unite Round. Central Coast finally got their first win of the season against Newcastle, while Sydney defeated the Wanderers 4-2 to win another Sydney Derby.
The defending champions are yet to win a game at home this season, with two draws and a loss from their three games. On the other hand, Sydney have been battle hardened on the road this season, winning two of their three away games this season. A week off would have done the Sky Blues a world of wonder given the amount of travel they’ve done to start this season.
The main issue for the Mariners this season and in this clash is their inability to score, and it becomes an almighty task against a Sydney FC side that is the fourth ranked attacking side in the competition. The Sky Blues have a strong record against the defending champions, with a 3-1-1 record in their last five A-League matches against the Mariners.
Sydney FC to Win
$2.05 (2 Units)
