The A-League returns for its 20th season, with Auckland FC making their debut. Can the Mariners produce a three-peat? Or will a new contender emerge? We have you covered with our season preview below!
A-League 2024-25: Season Preview & Betting Tips
There has been plenty of star power injected into the A-League this season with Douglas Costa (Sydney), Juan Mata (Western Sydney) and Hiroki Sakai (Auckland) coming to Australia after successful careers in the top leagues in Europe. It sets the scene for a massive season for the New South Wales based clubs, who will be right at the pointy end of the table.
Central Coast Mariners produced a stunning Grand Final performance for the second consecutive year, beating Melbourne Victory 3-1 to claim a second consecutive championship. If the Mariners are to three-peat, they will have to do it with a new look squad after the departures of Josh Nisbet, Max Balard, Jacob Farrell and Dan Hall, and Danny Vukovic. Central Coast did manage to lure Trent Sainsbury back after ten years playing abroad, while the signing of Vitor Feijao from Caxias looks to be a great move after an impressive start in the ACL.
Melbourne Victory made the shocking announcement of new manager Patrick Kisnorbo during the off season, and his decision to leave Daniel Arzani out the Australia Cup Final, didn’t go down well with his new supporters. The Victory will have the best goalkeeper in the league when Mitch Langerak returns in January, so if the Victory defence can stay intact through the opening months of the season, they will be in great shape for another tilt at the championship.
Sydney FC have armed themselves with an absolutely stacked roster as they look to win their first championship since 2020. Douglas Costa, Patryk Klimala, Leo Sena, Anas Ouahim and Alexandar Popovic headline the signings that give Sydney the best squad on paper coming into this season. Douglas Costa has already started well, with two assists from two games in the Asian Champions League
Melbourne City have lost Jamie McLaren, and have looked to youth to reshape their squad. Kai Trewin (23), Marco Tilio (23) headline the youth movement, while German Ferreyra (28) and Andreas Kuen (29) still have plenty of good football ahead of them. They don’t quite have the same depth or experience as the other contenders, however they do have the talent if things fall their way.
Grand Final Winner Prediction: Sydney FC were the highest scoring team in the league last season, and will only get better with the inclusions of Douglas Costa and Leo Sena feeding the ball to Joe Lolley and Patrik Klimala. If Ufuk Talay’s side can improve defensively, they are going to be tough to beat this season. With the quality of their additions, and other clubs at the top losing players, the time is now for Sydney FC.
Sydney FC Grand Final Winner
$6.50
Top Goal Scorer: Bruno Fornaroli has starred since joining the Victory in 2022, and was a key factor in taking his side to the Grand Final last season. Fornaroli scored 18 goals from 21 games last season, second to only Adam Taggart, and with the Victory primed for another strong season, Fornaroli will be amongst the mark for the top goal scorer. Under Patrick Kisnorbo the Victory should play more attacking football than they did under Tony Popovic, which will open up plenty of opportunities for his star striker.
Bruno Fornaroli Top Goal Scorer
$10
