A-League Preview - Round 13
A-League Preview. The New Year is already upon us and we are nearly halfway through the Hyundai A-League season. Their have been some surprise performances over 2016 and a few teams will be looking to finish the year off in perfect style and set themselves up for a big second half of the season.
Sydney FC will host Brisbane Roar on Friday night to kick off Week 13, and both teams have enjoyed significant success so far with both teams undefeated since Week 1 and 2 of the competition. New Years Eve will be graced with the traditional clash between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City FC, with both teams looking to re-find form after some poor performances in recent weeks.
Sunday will see Wellington Phoenix take on Adelaide United at home, with the New Zealand based side enjoying some considerable success since their recent coaching overhaul. Capping of New Years Day will be Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory, who are both looking to find some consistency after they have recorded just one victory in their past six fixtures.
Melbourne Victory will go head to head with Newcastle Jets in the last game of the round, with Victory coming off a dominant 4-1 win whilst Newcastle sit just outside the top four with two wins in their last three games.
Sydney FC vs. Brisbane Roar
Friday 30 December 7.50pm LOCAL
Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC put in a barnstorming display last weekend after defeating Adelaide United 4-o away from home. They remain undefeated this season winning three of their past five fixtures, and are seven points clear of the rest of the competition. They will be looking to continue their sublime form as they have scored four goals in six of their last thirteen fixtures.
Brisbane Roar were unable to come away with the victory last weekend, but still remain undefeated since their 4-0 loss to Newcastle in Week 2 this year. Jamie Maclaren leads his team with six goals so far this season, which is more than a third of his team's total (16). He will be looking to again find the score sheet against the Sky Blues, scoring three goals in his last three appearances against them.
It is a top of the table clash and one team is bound to see their undefeated streak cut short. Brisbane find themselves with the second most draws this season and are up against a team who has won 9 of their 12 fixtures this year. I'm tipping Sydney to win in a tight encounter.
Tip: Sydney FC 1 Brisbane Roar 0
Best bet: Game total under 2.5 goals ($1.75)
Did you know? Brisbane Roar is undefeated in their last four Hyundai A-League games against Sydney FC (W2, D2), though they’ve Cenwon on only one of their last four trips to Allianz Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne City FC
Saturday 31 December 7.00pm LOCAL
Central Coast Stadium
The Mariners are coming off their fourth successive loss after they were pummeled 4-1 by Melbourne Victory on Monday night. They sit second last on the ladder and in the same position for goals scored, whilst also recording the worst defensive record of any team this season. Their 26 goals conceded is the most of any team, including 9 in their last three fixtures and five alone in their last match against Melbourne City at home.
They may be winless in their last four games however Melbourne City will be looking to cap off 2016 in winning style against a struggling Mariners outfit. Their 4 draws this season have come in their last six fixtures, but can take confidence in knowing they have won their last three matches against the Mariners. Bruno Fornaroli will be looking to add to his tally of goals this season (9), having also scored three goals in his last three encounters with Central Coast.
They have fought hard in all their games this season but Central Coast simply lack the star power to close out games. They are up against a team who have struggled to record a win in previous weeks but contain quality across the park to find the three points. City to win convincingly.
Tip: Central Coast Mariners 1 Melbourne City FC 3
Best bet: Melbourne City -1 handicap ($2.20)
Did you know? Bruno Fornaroli has attempted more shots than any other player in Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season (41) and has scored three goals in his last three encounters with the Mariners.
Wellington Phoenix vs. Adelaide United
Sunday 1 January 5.35pm LOCAL
Westpac Stadium
After recording back to back losses at the start of December, Phoenix have improved significantly with a win and back-to-back draws in their last two fixtures. It is their longest undefeated streak since February 2015, and are now up against a side who have recorded three successive losses. They have a lot of play for this Sunday with a victory potentially putting them in fifth place on the competition ladder.
The defending premiers can almost kiss their new campaign goodbye after another crushing loss to Sydney FC continuing a bitter sweet 2016. They have won once in their 12 fixtures this year, but have won six of their last nine Hyundai A-League games against Wellington. They have certainly lacked strike power this year, finding the back of the net just 10 times which is the least in the competition.
It's hard to see a significant difference between the two sides considering their positions on the ladder, but Wellington's form in recent weeks has been more positive than what Adelaide have manage to put together this year m. It may just take one game to change things around for the premiers, but I don't see much changing in this encounter.
Tip: Wellington Phoenix 2 Adelaide United 1
Best bet: Wellington Phoenix and both teams to score ($4.00)
Did you know? The Phoenix have won five and drawn four of their last 11 Hyundai A-League home games against Adelaide United (L2), though they suffered their worst ever home loss to the Reds (4-0) in their last such encounter.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Perth Glory
Sunday 1 January 7.50pm LOCAL
ANZ Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers have been one of the most inconsistent sides this season, having recorded the most draws of any team this year (7). They are coming off a 1 all draw against an in form Brisbane Roar, and are the only side who are yet to keep a clean sheet. They are undefeated in their last four fixtures against Perth, and will be looking to close in on the top four with a win at home.
Perth Glory will be kicking their heels considering their dip in form; winless in their last five fixtures and are coming off a remarkable 3 all draw against Melbourne City. Look no further than Andy Keogh to get a goal on the weekend, with the Irish striker scoring seven goals this season and two in his last two fixtures against the Wanderers.
It could be a blockbuster with each team showing glaring potential in their seasons so far, and fans could be expecting a high scoring game considering recent scores. Wanderers have the home advantage and Perth have struggled significantly recently, so I'm leaning towards a win for the home side.
Tip: Wanderers 3 Perth Glory 2
Best bet: Game total over 2.5 ($1.55)
Did you know? Perth Glory has conceded 20 goals in their last eight games away from home in the Hyundai A-League. In fact, no team has conceded more goals this term than Glory (26 – level with Central Coast Mariners).
Melbourne Victory vs. Newcastle Jets
Monday 2 January 7.50pm LOCAL
Simonds Stadium
Melbourne Victory are arguably the in form team of the competition in recent weeks, with six wins in their past seven fixtures. They are coming off a 4-1 thumping of the Mariners, and boast a lethal attacking side that has scored 26 goals this season. They are undefeated in their last three encounters against the Jets, and have won every single Monday night fixture in the clubs history.
Newcastle Jets have bounced back to form in recent weeks, with two victories in their last three matches and a draw against Phoenix on Saturday night. They have never won from their last nine previous fixtures on Monday night, but have much to play for if they want to close in on a top four finish.
It's an exciting match up considering the form of each team, but Melbourne Victory have the home advantage and have scored nine goals in their last three games. They are in brilliant form, and will be hard to beat considering the seven day turnaround.
Tip: Melbourne Victory 2 Newcastle Jets 0
Best bet: Marco Rojas to score ($2.35)
Did you know? Victory’s Marco Rojas comes into this game having scored a brace for Victory in their most recent outing (v Mariners); he’s been directly involved in more goals than anyone else this Hyundai A-League season (14 – six assists and eight scored).
For the latest A-League Round 13 markets, click here.
Blue Bet Words: Andre Cupido
