The 2024-25 A-League season rolls on this weekend with six more fixtures for Aussie football fans to enjoy. Action begins on Friday night with Adelaide United vs Sydney FC, and we have a full preview and best bet for that much plus more Round 9 fixtures below. Good luck to everyone following along!
A-League Round 9 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide United vs Sydney FC
Coopers Stadium, Friday 20th December, 7:35pm AEDT
Adelaide continued their fantastic start to the season with an emphatic 4-0 road win against the Mariners last weekend, which made it seven games without a loss (5-2-0). The Reds have been sublime in attack this campaign with 17 goals, scoring at least once in every game and 2+ in five out of seven. This has them sitting in second spot on the table and only two points between Auckland at the top.
Sydney FC broke their run of trading wins and losses last weekend as they succumbed to consecutive defeats for the first time this season. They played their part in a seven-goal thriller against United but finished on the wrong end of the 4-3 score line. Defence has been a major issue for Sydney this season, as they’ve now conceded 2+ goals in five straight games and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
These clubs are 1-1 in their meetings in 2024 with both holding serve on their home deck, and the trend of the home side winning looks likely to continue based on the form we’ve seen from both clubs this campaign. With that said, getting better than even money for Adelaide to win looks like a great bet to kick off Round 9.
Adelaide to Win
$2.20 (2 Units)
Auckland FC vs Western United
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 21st December, 3:00pm AEDT
Can anyone take down Auckland in their inaugural season? Melbourne City came the closest we’ve seen last weekend when forcing a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. A pair of second half goals on enemy soil saw Auckland keep their unbeaten start to the season alive, and they now return home where they’ve won four from four while conceding just one goal in the process.
In contrast, Western United have found the going tough in 2024-25 with only a pair of wins to their name through eight outings. However, one of those wins came in impressive fashion last weekend as they took down Sydney on the road in a seven-goal thriller (4-3). In fact, both of their wins have come on the road this season, although they’ll face the toughest of tests currently available this weekend.
It's impossible to bet against Auckland right now for a number of reasons, but the main one is their otherworldly defence. It’s incredible to think they’ve conceded just three goals in their first seven games in the competition, and just one from four at home. And while Western United showed some improvement last weekend in a necessary win, you still have to side with Auckland to get the job done in this one.
Auckland -1.5
$2.45 (1.5 Units)
Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City
AAMI Park, Saturday 21st December, 7:35pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory returned home to host Perth last weekend and it was business as usual as they came away with a professional 2-0 win. That made it a perfect three from three on their home deck this season, while their away form hasn’t been too shabby either (2-1-1). Needless to say, Victory loom as one of the biggest contenders this season and enter Round 9 sitting in third spot on the ladder and just three points off top spot.
Melbourne City came as close as anyone has of knocking off Auckland last weekend, but had to settle for a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. Interestingly, it was the first time they’ve picked up a point at home this season (0-1-2) as they’ve done almost all of their heavy lifting as the road team in 2024-25 (4-0-0). City come into this weekend’s action in fourth spot on the ladder and also look as though they’ve be in the thick of it come the end of the season.
Victory have shown the slightly better form of the pair this season but I still can’t justify their odds-on tag here, while you can get nearly $4 odds for City. As mentioned above, City have thrived as the ‘away’ team this season, so having the bulk of the crowd against them won’t be an issue. With that said, I’m happy to back in the value and take City to cause the upset.
Melbourne City to Win
$3.90 (1 Unit)
More A-League Round 9 Tips
Brisbane Roar vs Perth Glory (Sat 5pm AEDT)
TIP: Brisbane to Win – $1.62 at Neds (1.5 Units)
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Wellington Phoenix (Sun 5pm AEDT)
TIP: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals – $1.91 at Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Macarthur FC vs Central Coast Mariners (Mon 7pm AEDT)
TIP: Macarthur to Win $1.85 at Neds (1.5 Units)
