2018 A-League Semi-Finals Preview

2018 A-League Semi-Finals Preview

We have arrived at the penultimate weekend of the 2017/18 A-League season and we are set for two exciting semi-finals.

The Newcastle Jets will host Melbourne City in the first A-League semi-final on Friday night, before reigning champions Sydney FC host old rivals the Melbourne Victory in a Big Blue for the ages.

At the time of publish, the combination of our two A-League semi-final tips in a multi will return odds of $4.47.

Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City
Jets to Win ($2.60)

The first A-League semi-final will see the exciting Jets square off with Melbourne City in Newcastle on Friday night.

Not a lot was expected of the young Jets squad prior to the season beginning, but they have continued to exceed expectations and finished second in overall standings. They were the only club that looked like bothering runaway leaders Sydney FC for a long time and they will enter this match fresh following a well-earned week off.

City won through to another A-League semi-final with a smart 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar last weekend, and they will look to make their first-ever Grand Final by winning again on Friday night. City absolutely dominated last weekend’s fixture and were unlucky not to find the back of the net more – registering 21 shots, and weathering only four in response. City flew the gates at the beginning of their campaign, but they have had a few inconsistent patches throughout the season and simply need to bring their best to this match.

Regardless of their form, performances and results, the Jets have been over the odds in most of their matches this season and that is certainly the case again ahead of their semi-final.

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC to Win ($1.72)

We are set for an absolute blockbuster when Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory square off in another heated edition of the Big Blue on Saturday night.

It was another glittering regular season for the Sky Blues, who took their position atop standings only weeks into the season and never appeared in doubt; eventually finishing fourteen points clear of the second-placed Newcastle. They boast a rock-solid defence, silky midfield and potent attack, and the Championship really does look like theirs to lose again.

The Victory have found form at the right point of the season and they will relish their underdog status this weekend. They ran into an impressive Adelaide United outfit last weekend, but found passage through to another penultimate weekend thanks to an incredible Besart Berisha bicycle kick late in the piece. Berisha and the other Victory stars will need to be at their best and if they are, they can give this match a serious shake.

Regardless of form, ladder positioning and what is at stake, this is always one of the best fixtures of any A-League season and realistically, any result is possible. Sydney FC are deserving favourites to win another title and they can sneak past the old enemy in a low-scoring semi.