The season that won’t go away is finally coming to a close with non-stop A-League action scheduled over the next month.
Sydney FC looks to be well on their way to another Premier’s Plate with a comfortable lead atop the table, while there’s still plenty to play for elsewhere with finals positioning on the line.
We’re previewing each remaining match over the coming month, so be sure to check back daily for our best bets and selections!
It’s no real surprise to find almost even money on offer between the Wanderers and Victory on Wednesday night.
The Wanderers won 2-1 when these two sides last met, while the Victory couldn’t have been more impressive in their 4-0 victory over the Glory on Saturday.
Since there’s nothing more than bragging rights on the line, I think we’ll see a handful of goals.
Four of the last five games between these two sides have resulted in 2.5 goals or more, so take the Over and Melbourne to make it two in a row.
The Glory have been well-supported to bounce-back from Saturday’s loss to the Victory.
Perth were shutout 4-0 by Melbourne, but the market suggests they should have no trouble turning things around against United.
These two sides played out a 1-1 draw when they first met back in October though, so there’s plenty to suggest we could see an upset here.
Western United also won 5-3 over the Wanderers last week, a performance they’ll be hoping to build on.
With only two wins in their last five games, I’m backing United in an upset.
United have played some great football since the season resumed, but they are about to meet their match against a Melbourne City side riding the highs of a 2-0 win over Sydney FC last week.
United are playing on only four days rest here, while they’ve only managed to defeat Melbourne City twice in their last 12 attempts.
With a chance to close the gap between themselves and the Sky Blues atop the ladder, I’m taking the value on offer for City to win.
The stakes are high this evening for the Roar as they hope to leapfrog the Phoenix for the third spot on the ladder.
Brisbane drew 1-1 with Wellington last Wednesday, but they do look a live chance to bounce-back here against a Sydney FC side that has failed to win its last three games.
The Sky Blues drew 1-1 themselves with Adelaide United last Thursday and have only won one of their four games since the restart.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if either side won this game, but a low-scoring game would.
Four of the last five between these two teams have seen over 2.5 goals, so I’m playing it safe with the Total.
The Glory have a prime opportunity to slide back into the top four on Saturday when they take on the Victory at Bankwest.
Unfortunately, Perth are coming off back-to-back losses to the Phoenix and Adelaide United over the last two weeks, so I’m finding it a little tough to back them with any degree of confidence.
The Victory are unbeaten in their last three games against the Glory with the two sides last playing out a 2-2 draw back in February.
Both teams will be looking to make a statement here, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bit of a goal-fest unfold with plenty on the line.
There’s plenty more than just bragging rights on the line in Friday’s Derby.
United and the Wanderers both find themselves tied on 30 points apiece on the ladder and there is still a very slim chance that either side could wind up in the finals picture if things go their way.
United remains undefeated in their two matches so far against the Wanderers, so I’m happy to stick with them here.
Western United were unlucky to lose to Newcastle 1-0 on Monday, but they’ve typically responded well to a previous defeat posting a 4-1-4 record in their existence.
Things could really start to get a little interesting atop the ladder if Adelaide United were to pull off an upset tonight.
United currently find themselves only three points behind the fifth-placed Perth Glory on the ladder, while the gap between ladder leaders Sydney FC and Melbourne City remains eight points.
The Sky Blues are the slight favourites in the market having won each of their last four games against United. That said, back-to-back losses to Newcastle and City leaves Sydney FC looking a little vulnerable.
Adelaide, on the other, hand, defeated the Glory 5-3 last week to remain undefeated since the restart.
Four of the last five games between these two sides have finished with three goals or less, so you’re probably better off playing it safe in the Doubles Market.
The Glory are looking to put a pair of back-to-back losses behind them on Tuesday night when they square off against a Western Sydney looking to build on their shock 1-0 win over the Phoenix last week.
To say Perth have looked ordinary since the restart would be an understatement, but they should sense the urgency of this game with a chance to remain inside the top six for another week.
Another Wanderers upset would come as no surprise, but I’m sticking with the Glory here at some decent value.
Perth haven’t lost to the Wanderers since 2017, so I’m happy to back their impressive track record.
The Victory and the Mariners have had plenty of time to prepare for this game as they both look to bounce back with a win tonight.
Melbourne came up short 2-1 against the Roar last Wednesday, while the Mariners drew 1-1 with the Wanderers a week ago.
Central Coast defeated the Victory 3-2 when they met back in January, but it’s very difficult to argue with the market this time around.
Prior to their previous defeat, Melbourne had won four straight against Central Coast, and with some time to get their heads straight, they should have no trouble turning their luck around against the bottom dwellers.
United resumed their season with an impressive 2-1 win over the Victory last Saturday, but that hasn’t been enough to sway the bookies in the market.
A win here for both sides is crucial as they currently find themselves sitting seventh and eighth on the ladder respectively, but it appears the Jets will start as favourites with a distinct home-field advantage at McDonald Jones Stadium.
These two sides have met twice over the last 12 months with only one combined goal being scored.
It’s difficult to know what to expect from this contest, so it’s one I’m happy to stay out of.
This might be the most highly anticipated game since the restart as the top of the table Sky Blues tackle the third-placed Melbourne City.
A win here for City is far more important than it is to Sydney FC as they currently sit tied on points with the Phoenix at time of publish.
Unfortunately, the Sky Blues have won eight of the last nine meetings between these two sides, but with City enjoying added rest before resuming their season, it might be worth just playing it safe with the Draw.
This is a massive game for the Phoenix if they hold any hope of cementing their finals spot and manager Uruk Talay must ensure his side don’t overlook the struggling Wanderers.
Western Sydney resumed its season with a 1-1 draw against the Mariners earlier in the week, while the Phoenix endured a stalemate themselves against Adelaide United last Saturday.
There’s plenty of value to be had on both sides here, but I’m happy to play on the Phoenix to win outright.
Wellington has been an exceptional betting play against Western Sydney over the last 12 months winning each of their last four games. They’ve kept a clean sheet only once however, so don’t be surprised if the Wanderers crack the scoreboard.
We’ve got a very interesting matchup here between fifth and sixth with both sides looking to make up for last week’s results.
The Glory lost 2-1 to the Phoenix last Wednesday, while United drew 1-1 with Wellington last Saturday.
With both sides looking to cement themselves in the finals picture, it’s no surprise to find plenty of value in the head-to-head market.
As far as tipping goes, I’m happy to take the Glory outright. They’ve won each of their last four games against Adelaide and have not allowed a single goal during the same time frame.
United are also winless at Bankwest Stadium, so the odds on offer for Perth appear too good to pass up.
The Roar and the Victory are both looking to bounce back on Wednesday night after suffering respective losses last week.
Melbourne has nothing other than bragging rights to play for here, while Brisbane has a lot more at stake with finals positioning on the line.
The Victory will relish the chance to spoil the Roar’s party and the recent history between these two sides certainly suggests Melbourne are a chance.
Grant Brebner’s side has defeated the Roar in each of the last four meetings, so there’s a bit to like about Melbourne in this contest.
The Wanderers have been well supported to resume their season with a win on Monday night against the bottom rank Mariners.
Central Coast has failed to find the back of the net in their two matches since the season restarted and their recent track record against Western Sydney doesn’t suggest that is about to change anytime soon.
The Mariners have lost four of their last five to the Wanderers. The last three games have also seen over 2.5 goals, so combining the pair in a multi looks a nice play.
Melbourne and Western United resume their seasons on Saturday in what should be a fun battle between ninth and tenth on the ladder.
These two clubs have little to play for other than bragging rights, something United has claimed in both meetings so far against the Victory.
Western United won both encounters against Melbourne late last year, and with rest on their side, they look good value to add to that record.
The Phoenix look good value tonight at the current quote coming off a bounce-back win over the Glory on Wednesday, but there is a case to be made for Adelaide after resuming their season with a 1-0 win over the Roar.
United also have an added five-day break to their advantage, while they should feel good about their chances knowing they’ve won three of their last five against the Phoenix.
On the flip side though, Wellington has shown a tendency to go on long winning streaks this season, so a draw wouldn’t be a surprising result.
The Jets resumed their season with a surprise 2-1 victory over Sydney FC on Tuesday, a performance manager Carl Robinson will be hoping his side can replicate ahead of Friday’s game against the Mariners.
Newcastle are playing on short rest here, but I’m having a tough time disagreeing with the market.
Central Coast showed little in their 1-0 loss to the Glory last Saturday, while they also have a short turnaround with a game against the Wanderers ahead on Monday.
The only constant between these two teams has been the Over, so it might be worth throwing a multi down. These two sides have combined for five goals or more in two of their last three meetings, so expect plenty of action.
A win on Wednesday night is crucial for both the Glory and the Phoenix as they look to secure their spot in the finals.
The Phoenix remain hot on the heels of second-place Melbourne City despite losing 3-1 to Sydney FC last Friday.
The Glory, meanwhile, remain only a point behind the Roar in fifth after resuming with a much-needed 1-0 victory over the Mariners last week.
Just like the ladder, there isn’t much separating these two teams from a betting perspective other than trends.
The Glory have typically enjoyed the better part of this fixture over the last calendar year winning each of their last four games against the Phoenix, which makes Perth one of the better value plays heading into the weekend.
The Sky Blues won comfortably 3-1 over the Phoenix last Friday and they represent enormous value to not only widen the gap between themselves and the rest of the league but also claim their fourth Premiers Plate.
Newcastle is returning to play their first match since March 23 where they were 2-1 winners over Melbourne City. The well-rested Jets will likely be looking to make a statement here, but their track record against Sydney FC suggests otherwise.
The Sky Blues have won three of their last four meetings against Newcastle and they should sense the urgency now to finally secure the title. With $1.91 on offer at time of publish, I’m happy to take the future premiers outright.
As much as most A-League fans would love to see Sydney capitulate and blow their chances at another Premiers Plate, that’s probably a bit optimistic.
They have had the wood over Wellington over the last few seasons, dominating the Kiwi based side (although they, like most other teams are a Sydney based side for the time being).
If there is one frustrating fact about Sydney over their era of success, its that they have managed to take care of business when it is in front of them and that’s exactly what I’m expecting to happen.
The Mariners are doing their bit to complete the A-League season despite having absolutely no chance of going on a run and making the finals.
Seriously, every other team has at least some chance, theirs is 0.0%
It means they get to be the sadistic party spoilers over the next few weeks and torpedoing opponent’s finals hopes might be the only joy they will get here.
Perth will be without their key attacker Diego Castro after he opted out of the A-League season restart.
There’s still enough talent in the Glory side to take care of business here though, even if it’s not the prettiest performance.
Brisbane facing Adelaide always seems to bring out the worst in both of these sides (or best if you are a neutral or just happen to enjoy chaos).
For some reason we seem to see plenty of goals, red cards and above all else, hostility between these two clubs.
While the Roar have had to move this match away from the primary base of Suncorp Stadium and their secondary home ground of Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe, their third option of CBus Stadium at Robina should give them a bit of an edge.
They won their last match before the A-League shut down at this venue, defeating Newcastle 1-0.
Of course since then they have lost coach Robbie Fowler but with new boss Warren Moon ready to take the reigns, this Roar side will be eager to impress the new man in charge.