A-League Round 10 Preview
We’re into Week 10 of the competition and A-League fans are starting to determine the teams considered as the heavyweights of the competition and those who will be struggling to appear in the finals come seasons end. Sydney FC remain at the top of the competition ladder with an undefeated start to their campaign, whilst Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory hold onto their positions in the top four with some impressive performances in recent weeks.
Western Sydney Wanderers had a fantastic return to form last week with a 4-1 thumping of Central Coast, with the Mariners sitting seventh on the ladder above Adelaide United who recorded their first victory last week. Sitting last on the table are Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix, who are both certainly struggling for form.
Week 10 kicks off on Friday night with a blockbuster at ANZ Stadium, with Sydney FC attempting to extend their lead on top of the competition ladder when they face an in form Melbourne City.
Saturday will Wellington Phoenix attempt to get off the bottom of the ladder, when they take on a struggling Central Coast Mariners outfit. Other games on Saturday include Western Sydney Wanders who will be looking for back-to-back wins against Melbourne Victory, whilst Perth Glory will round off Saturday’s triple header when they host Newcastle Jets at NIB Stadium.
Week 10 will finish on Sunday evening with Brisbane Roar looking to regain some much needed form, when they take on Adelaide United who recorded their first win of the season last weekend.
Sydney FC vs. Melbourne City FC
Friday 09 December 7.50pm LOCAL
ANZ Stadium
Sydney FC bounced back to their winning ways last weekend when they fired two second half goals to defeat Newcastle Jets 2-0 and extend their lead on top of the competition ladder. They sit first in the A-League for goals scored (20), whilst also boasting a remarkable defensive record with only three goals conceded along with six clean sheets so far this year.
Melbourne City dropped points last week when they drew 1 all with Brisbane Roar, but will be looking to put up a strong showing against Sydney after they recently defeated them just over a week ago in the FFA Cup Final. They are undefeated in their last four fixtures, but haven’t achieved the same result in back-to-back games since the opening two rounds of the Hyundai A-League season.
It will be an absolute blockbuster to open up Week 10 of the competition with both teams in great form so far this season, I can’t separate the two but history says Melbourne might claim the victory once again.
Tip: Sydney FC 1 Melbourne City 1
Best bet: Draw ($3.50)
Did you know? Sydney FC hasn’t won a home Hyundai A-League game against Melbourne City in almost three years (D2, L1), last notching a victory in a 2-1 effort in December 2013.
Wellington Phoenix vs. Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 10 December 7.35pm LOCAL
FMG Stadium
Wellington Phoenix are certainly feeling the heat so far this Hyundai A-League season after they were defeated 2-0 by Adelaide United who recorded their first victory of the season in the process. They can take confidence in knowing they have only lost two of the past nine fixtures against the Mariners, but have only scored six goals this season which is a significant worry for the home team despite coming up against the worst defense in the competition.
Central Coast Mariners have proven to be one of the most inconsistent sides this season, losing 4-1 to Western Sydney Wanderers last week who were down to 10 men in the last half an hour. Mariners have recorded the least amount of shots this year (80), but are undefeated in their last three games away from home. The last time they went undefeated away from home in four consecutive games was back in December 2014.
Both teams are coming off tough losses and will be looking to restore pride back in the jersey, especially for Phoenix after their coach Ernie Merrick resigned earlier in the week. Mariners were dreadful last week and they may struggle to get the win away from home.
Tip: Phoenix 1 Mariners 0
Best bet: Total game points under 2.5 ($2.40)
Did you know? Phoenix has conceded only 57% of their goals from open play this Hyundai A-League campaign, the fewest of any team.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Melbourne Victory
Saturday 10 December 7.50pm LOCAL
ANZ Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers remarkably bounced back to some scintillating form last week, thumping Mariners 4-1 to record their second win of the season. They were reduced to 10 men with 30 minutes to play, however held strong defensively and now sit just one win away from cracking into the top four. They will be looking for their first win against Victory since December 2015.
Melbourne Victory were unable to make it three wins in a row last week, after drawing 1 all with Perth Glory on Friday night. They were incredibly unlucky not to come away with three points, having 20 shots on goal compared to Glory’s 2; whilst having a host of opportunities denied by some last ditch defence. They still maintain the best conversion rate in the competition (21%), and will be looking to make it five wins from their last seven fixtures this weekend.
Last weeks result could spark a much needed return to form for the home side, but come up against a strong Melbourne outfit who boast the second best attack in the competition. Tip a Melbourne win in a thriller.
Tip: Wanderers 2 Victory 1
Best bet: Melbourne Victory win ($2.80)
Did you know? Melbourne Victory have kept their opposition scoreless in the opening half of each of their last five Hyundai A-League games away from home, though they’ve conceded seven second half goals in that span.
Perth Glory vs. Newcastle Jets
Saturday 10 December 10.00pm LOCAL
NIB Stadium
Perth Glory found some good form early in the season however dropped points again last week after drawing with Melbourne Victory away from home. They have only won once in their last six fixtures, however are undefeated in their last 14 games against Newcastle; winning 12 and drawing 2. They will look to striker Andy Keogh for further motivation, with the Irish striker equal first in goals scored with seven to his name.
Newcastle Jets are still winless since Week Two of the competition and now sit last on the ladder after their 2-0 loss to Adelaide United last weekend. They have conceded the second most goals in the competition this year (14), and also have the worst shooting accuracy in the competition (38%). Their winless streak of 10 last season is bound to be reached if they continue to put in poor performances in the weeks to come.
With both sides struggling for form it will be interesting to see how they each respond this weekend. Perth were lucky to come away with a draw last week but are up against a team who are really playing below their best. Tipping Glory to get back to their winning ways with a comfortable victory.
Tip: Perth Glory 3 Newcastle Jets 1
Best bet: Perth Glory handicap -1 ($2.80)
Did you know? Newcastle Jets have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last six games away from home in the Hyundai A-League , only once scoring more in reply (4-2 v Mariners).
Brisbane Roar vs. Adelaide United
Sunday 11 December 5.00pm LOCAL
Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Roar fell to there fourth consecutive draw against Melbourne City last weekend; the fourth time in a row they have also finished with the same score line of 1-1. Jamie MacLaren fired for the Reds once again, with the winger leading his team in goals scored with four this season, which is nearly half of his team’s total goals collectively.
Adelaide United got back to their winning ways last week, recording their first win of the season with their 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners. They somehow jumped to 8th on the competition ladder, and will be searching for their first win away from home since the last round of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League season.
Brisbane will be desperate for three points considering their failure to record a victory in four weeks, however, it will be interesting to see how Adelaide respond from their win last week. It should be a cracker of a game to finish off Week 10 of the season.
Tip: Brisbane 1 Adelaide United 1
Best bet: Draw ($3.60)
Did you know? Reds attacker Henrique faces off against his former team on the back of scoring his first brace since netting a hat-trick for Roar in November 2014.
For the latest A-League Round 10 markets, click here.
Blue Bet Words: Andre Cupido
