Nineteen rounds down, seven to go!
While the top six teams are starting to separate themselves from the rest, there is still plenty to play for, with Newcastle, Macarthur and Western United all a chance to climb into the finals positions.
Check out our Matchday 20 preview and A-League betting tips below, and if you're looking for a new sportsbook, why not try Betr?
A-League Round 20 Preview & Betting Tips
Perth Glory vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday 10th March, 10.00pm (AEDT)
The lowly Perth Glory will host a high-flying Western Sydney Wanderers side on Friday night, with the latter entering this match as hot favourites.
Western Sydney have flourished this season, sitting second on the table with eight wins and just four losses to their name. Defence has been the cornerstone of Western Sydney’s rise – the Wanderers have conceded the fewest goals in the league (17).
As such, it’s tough to see Perth walking away with all three points here. The Glory have not tasted victory in their last six games and haven't kept a clean sheet since the start of January, much to the dismay of their fans.
While the Wanderers have failed to win in their last three visits to WA, back their disciplined defence to hold Perth scoreless on Friday.
Both Teams to Score - No
$2.10 (2 Units)
Central Coast Mariners vs Macarthur FC
Saturday 11th March, 5.00pm (AEDT)
Central Coast have stumbled in recent weeks, but they will be confident heading into a Saturday clash with Macarthur. The Mariners have won just one of their last five matches, but they still sit fourth, safely in the top six.
It’s been thanks to a dynamic attack that Central Coast are firmly entrenched in the title race – the Mariners have scored the second most goals in the league (36). However, the Mariners will be desperate to avoid a third red card in three weeks.
Macarthur, on the other hand, enter this contest in winning form having knocked off Wellington 2-1 last weekend. The Bulls are still a mathematical chance of playing finals football, although their goal difference of -10 leaves a lot to be desired.
These two teams have played out enthralling high-scoring contests in recent years. In the last four encounters between these sides 20 goals have been scored in total. I predict a similar style of match on Saturday, with Central Coast doing the bulk of the scoring.
CC Mariners To Score In Both Halves - Yes
$2.15 (2 Units)
Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United
Saturday 11th March, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Newcastle will welcome Adelaide United for a primetime fixture, with both teams chasing a finals berth. The Jets are three points out of the top six and have lost their last two games, so this match becomes crucial for their chances.
Adelaide represent a tough opponent – United haven’t lost in five previous games, and they boast the likes of Craig Goodwin who has starred in attack throughout the campaign.
Furthermore, Adelaide have won five of the previous six head-to-head encounters between these two teams, so the punters are rightly leaning towards United. Nevertheless, there is more on the line for the Jets here and they will relish playing at home, so I’m going to back Newcastle.
Newcastle Jets to Win
$2.58 (2 Units)
Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC
Sunday 12th March, 1.00pm (AEDT)
A couple of teams in good form will go to battle in the first of two games on Sunday. Fifth placed Wellington will host sixth placed Sydney in a fixture with all sorts of finals implications.
Phoenix suffered a pair of losses in Rounds 15 and 16 but have returned to some of their better form over the past three rounds when going 2-1-0. Meanwhile, Sydney have won four of their last six fixtures, and would be thrilled with their 1-0 win at home against rivals Melbourne Victory last start.
Both teams are in good form coming into this matchup, but Sydney still clearly have the class edge. They’ve continued to improve as the season has progressed and now look primed to do some damage in the last couple of months. They should be winning this matchup more often than not and remain great value.
Sydney FC to Win
$2.45 (2 Units)
Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
Sunday 12th March, 3.00pm (AEDT)
At opposite ends of the table, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar will meet for the third time this season this Sunday.
City will be out to make amends for a couple of horribly defensive performances in recent weeks. They’ve conceded nine goals in their last three fixtures and that’s resulted in a pair of losses, both of which came on the road.
For the Roar, they’ve lost six of their last nine league matches and now face an uphill battle if they’re to make the finals in 2023. They’re currently seven points outside the top six despite starting the season with only one loss from their first 10 outings.
Melbourne City will start as the red-hot favourites to win on Sunday and deservingly so. However, there’s little value in the head-to-head market and taking them -1 might be a stretch on current form.
Instead, I love the value of the Both Team to Score market, which has hit in each of City’s last six fixtures and each of the Roar’s last five.
Both Teams to Score
$1.78 (3 Units)
Melbourne Victory vs Western United
Monday 13th March, 6.00pm (AEDT)
Both still a mathematical chance of playing finals, Melbourne Victory and Western United will be doing all they can to secure the three points when they lock horns on Monday night.
Victory were unable to find the back of the net last weekend against Sydney in what was their seventh fixture in which they’ve failed to score this season. They just haven’t been able to string two good performances together and that’s why they currently sit on the bottom of the table.
In contrast, Western United come into this fixture having won two in a row. The defending champs look to be hitting their best form at the most important stage of the season and will be confident they can push for a finals berth.
United have won each of their last two meetings with Victory and are also in the better form, so it’s surprising to see them as the big underdogs. I’m happy to back them in at a big price to secure an important win.
Western United to Win
$3.80 (1 Unit)
