It was goals galore in Round 2 of the 2023/24 A-League Men’s season, with Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory surging to the top of the standings.
Round 3 will pit the two early leaders against each other in a heavyweight contest, while Sydney FC and Melbourne City will battle it out to avoid an 0-3 start.
Check out our Round 3 preview and A-League betting tips below!
A-League 2023-24 Round 3 Betting Tips
Melbourne City vs Sydney FC
Friday 3rd November, 7.45pm (AEDT)
In previous years this would be considered a clash of the titans, but this time around both teams head into the game winless.
Sydney have failed to score a goal in their opening two matches, conceding three to Brisbane Roar last weekend in a disappointing performance. City have likewise performed poorly, so much so that manager Rado Vidosic has been ousted after just a fortnight of the new campaign.
Aurelio Vidmar will take the reins temporarily, with the task of bringing his side back to life after a 0-6 loss to Adelaide away from home.
These sides have traded blows in recent years, but City are widely considered to be the better side, with more firepower to call upon.
As such, I’m backing the home side to welcome a managerial change with three points.
Melbourne City to Win
$1.92 (2 Units)
Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar
Saturday 4th November, 3.30pm (AEDT)
Wellington and Brisbane both sit on four points after two rounds, having recorded impressive victories last weekend.
The Phoenix struggled against Western Sydney, but found their mojo for a 2-1 win over Perth, while Brisbane also opened their account by putting three goals past Sydney.
Although these teams sit pretty at the moment, I can’t see either of them making a massive impact over the course of the season. Nevertheless, we have to pick a winner here.
Wellington treat their home turf as a fortress and that reputation definitely applies to Brisbane, who have not beaten the Phoenix in NZ since 2017. There have been plenty of draws in that time, but I’m picking Wellington to get the win in front of home fans.
Wellington Phoenix to Win
$2.32 (2 Units)
Macarthur vs Western United
Saturday 4th November, 5.30pm (AEDT)
I expected Western United to build on their strong opening win last week, but a 0-5 loss to Western Sydney has me questioning my faith in the Victoria-based side.
Macarthur were also involved in a surprising result in Round 2, beating the reigning champions away from home.
Therefore, I’m struggling to get a read on both Western United and the Bulls.
The punters agree with me to an extent, unable to pick a winner in this matchup, and I doubt this game will be a blowout.
The last two matches between these teams have been draws, and given the closeness of the market for this one, that result seems likely again.
Although both teams have shown scoring power in their matches so far, I’m predicting a gritty draw here.
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
Saturday 4th November, 7.45pm (AEDT)
Two of the best form sides to begin the season will come together on Saturday night with Melbourne Victory set to play hosts to Adelaide United.
Victory have surprised a few with their hot start to the season considering their struggles last campaign. They’ve won both of their matches to date, including a 5-3 win against the Jets last weekend.
Likewise, Adelaide have had a blistering start and will be full of confidence when they head to Melbourne. They destroyed Melbourne City 6-0 last weekend, making it nine goals for and zero against through two games.
You can’t knock the form of either side heading into this matchup, although we have to give the slight nod to the Reds simply due to last weekend’s demolition job of the title favourites in City.
At better than 3-1 odds to make it 3/3, there are certainly worse bets than backing Adelaide this weekend.
Adelaide United to Win
$3.50 (2 Units)
Perth Glory vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 4th November, 9.45pm (AEDT)
Talks of a premiership hangover are starting to intensify as the Mariners made it two losses from as many games to start the season.
Despite being at home and the clear favourites to defeat Macarthur, the Mariners could only find the back of the net once from 15 shot attempts, while their opponents were more clinical with two goals from 13 attempts.
Elsewhere, Perth Glory were unable to get anything from their travels to wellington last weekend when they lost 2-1. That came after they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Jets first up.
Nothing has gone to plan so far for the Mariners but it would be foolish to write them off just months after they won the competition in incredibly dominant fashion.
It’s a low bet game for me, but I fancy the defending champs to finally get off the mark here.
Central Coast Mariners to Win
$2.37 (1.5 Units)
Newcastle Jets vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 5th November, 3.00pm (AEDT)
The Newcastle Jets must feel as though they’ve done nothing put pick the ball out of the back of their net early this campaign, as they’ve already conceded seven times from just two outings.
However, they’ve had a rough schedule to start the season with back-to-back away games in WA and then Victoria, and finally get to return home this weekend to play in front of their fans.
The Wanderers played their part in a goalless draw against the Phoenix first up, but made up for lost time with a 5-0 thumping of Western United last weekend.
The Wanderers look to be a rejuvenated side this season and have one of the most talented squads in the competition, and that was in full display in Round 2.
Although playing away for the first time this season, the Wanderers should be able to get the better of this current version of the Jets.
Western Sydney Wanderers to Win
$2.03 (3 Units)
