A-League MW9 Tips & Preview

A-League MW9 Tips & Preview

The A-League finds a way through this mess we call life in 2021, with seven* big games on the cards in Matchweek 9. (*for now)

If we get through Matchweek 9 with all seven matches being played without some interruption, I’d consider it a victory and would like to see our traders price it up.

Some big games are on the cards and there’s plenty of value to be found for the Punters.

Read on in our Matchweek 9 Tips and Preview.

best bet
ADELAIDE UNITED VS CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Central Coast Mariners @ $2.75

Yet again the top-of-the-table Central Coast Mariners go into a game as underdogs in our market.

I have no idea why that is the case, and rather than ask my colleagues in the Neds trading room as to why that is the case, I’m instead going to back them at the excellent odds of $2.75 (at time of publish)

It’s not every week I offer up a Best Bet, but in the case of backing the top-of-the-table Mariners at underdog odds – I’ll most certainly offer that up.

The Mariners are coming off a convincing 2-0 win over the Nix last week and have won 6 out of 8 matches this season.

There’s so much to like about them, especially if you look at my account balance.

Adelaide United are currently on a 3 game losing streak and was subject to a good old fashioned 4-0 belting from Macarthur last weekend.

The only thing that could possibly justify the Reds being favourites in this clash is the fact they are playing at home, but time after time the Mariners just know how to win.

I’m looking forward to the Mariners kicking off the weekend with a nice tidy profit.

I only hope my boastfulness in this preview isn’t a curse.

WESTERN UNITED VS MACARTHUR FC
Macarthur @ $2.90

The A-League’s reach knows no bounds, they’ll play anywhere – even on Mars…Stadium in Ballarat, where Western United takes on Macarthur.

This will be the first meeting of the two expansion teams in what is set to be a fascinating encounter.

Macarthur hasn’t lost in three games and will take plenty of confidence on the trip down to Ballarat after they dished out a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing of Adelaide United at home and put Brisbane Roar back in their place with a 2-0 victory on the road prior.

Western United got an extended break, while you’d understand if it were to recover from the trauma of blowing that lead to the Mariners in Gosford, it was for reasons beyond their control.

They’ll be keen to get back on the pitch this Saturday.

There’s a lot to like about Macarthur who are currently sitting second on the A-League table with 4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses.

Western United have been competitive in most fixtures this season, but I can’t help but ride the wave of momentum.

Macarthur to take the chocolates at Mars.

SYDNEY FC VS BRISBANE ROAR
HT / FT Sydney FC/Sydney FC @ $3.50

A real test awaits the Brisbane Roar as they head down to Jubilee Oval and face Sydney FC this Saturday night.

The A-League champions had just started to find their groove with some solid wins over Wellington Phoenix and Macarthur before last weeks scheduled match against Western United was postponed due to the Victorian lockdown.

The Sky Blues have had a good fortnight to prepare for this game against the Roar and would love to make a statement that they are still very much the team to beat.

Brisbane Roar has had a terrific start to their A-League campaign this season, however, Warren Moon’s men were held to a 0-0 draw against the Newcastle Jets and were blown away by Macarthur 2-0 prior – both games at their home ground.

Recent performances by the Roar are cause for concern, and it’s very hard not to back Sydney FC in this one.

I’ll go for the Sky Blues to be leading at Half-Time/Full-Time for a bit of value.

MELBOURNE VICTORY VS NEWCASTLE JETS
Newcastle Jets @ $2.70

Despite opening the betting as favourites in this one, things are looking grim for Melbourne Victory and they’ll be desperate to get their season back on track against the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park this Saturday.

Victory has had a terrible start to the season, losing their past two matches convincingly and it’s fair to say they were lucky to even win the one game a few weeks back.

Currently sitting on the bottom of the A-League table, Victory simply MUST win this match.

At the start of the season, Newcastle was the doom and gloom team but the Jets haven’t lost in four matches and have been highly entertaining and playing great Football throughout this little streak.

Jets to win.

 

WELLINGTON PHOENIX VS WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Under 2.5 Goals @ $2.10

It’s a tough old time for the Nix, as they settle into life in their temporary Wollongong home, currently sitting 11th on the A-League table with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses, they face the Wanderers at “home” this Sunday night.

The Nix are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Mariners last week and will desperately want to get their season back on track with a win over Western Sydney in a makeshift “Derby” of sorts.

The Wanderers are unbeaten in their past six matches and are just coming along nicely as they sit 4th on the A-League table.

I’ll spice things up a bit and go the Under 2.5 in this one.

I expect the Wanderers to win this, but perhaps the Nix will put up a bit of a fight.

Melbourne City v Sydney FC
Sydney FC @ $2.95

 

A meeting of last seasons Grand Finalists awaits us on Tuesday night and this clash between Melbourne City and Sydney FC is set to be a fascinating encounter.

Sydney FC goes into this clash coming off a goalless draw with the Brisbane Roar on Saturday, ending a two-match winning streak or the Sky Blues are three games unbeaten, depending on which way you’d like to look at it.

Steve Corica and his men currently sit 5th on the A-League ladder, however, the Sky Blues still need to play a fair few catch-up games and you’d still fancy them to be part of the business end this season.

This Tuesday night’s game will be Melbourne City’s first match since February 7th and they will desperately want to get the win after a poor start to the season

Prior to their little break, City has been on a three-game losing streak and it would be an understatement to regard their start to the season as disappointing.

While City will go into this game with a fully-fit squad and will be well-rested, Sydney FC still remains the better team on form and are at excellent value to get the full three points on the head to head betting.

Melbourne Victory vs Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix @ $2.75

These are grim times for Melbourne Victory.

Seven games in, Victory is sitting bottom of the table, with just one win, five goals, four points and a goal difference of minus eight.

They’ll be desperate to get some form back as they host the Wellington Phoenix this Wednesday night.

With their backs to the wall and the pressure on, Victory fans would hope their team will show some fight in this match but it is very hard to make a case for them.

Victory was more than disappointing in their 1-0 loss to the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, it can only get better for them one would hope.

Wellington Phoenix travels to Melbourne with plenty of confidence after fighting out a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Wanderers on Sunday.

In a highly entertaining contest, there was a lot to like about how the Nix went about it, but for some reason, the market has Melbourne Victory down as favourites.

On the current form, more than happy to take the Wellington Phoenix at the $2.75 price in this one.