A-League Round 3 Tips & Preview

A-League Round 3 Tips & Preview

There is only one game in contention for “marquee” status in Round 3 of the A-League competition and it’s Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby.

City and Victory have played out plenty of classic contests and this edition is shaping up to add to that list.

There’s plenty to look forward to this weekend in the A-League so read on and find our tips and best bets for every fixture here.

Western United v Macarthur
Draw @ $3.40

Western United’s season has not begun in ideal circumstances with a pair of defeats against Melbourne City and Sydney FC.

Round 3 presents another opportunity for them to try and right the ship, however it will not come easily against Australia Cup winners Macarthur who have taken four points from their first two outings.

Whatever concerns surrounding the Bulls came up in their draw away to Brisbane were allayed with a convincing win over Adelaide as Daniel Arzarni stole the show.

United is a surprise favourite and perhaps still getting the benefit of the doubt from their Grand Final win last year, but this is shaping up as a much closer contest than the market suggests.

There’s value to be found on the draw here, especially if United are able to welcome back the likes of Aleksandar Prijovic.

Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
SGM: Newcastle to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $3.47

Good times abound in the Hunter after the Jets recorded a dramatic win to open their season last weekend.

Down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes they found a way to rally with Georgian marksman Beka Mikeltadze scoring a 93rd minute winner.

They’ll head into this one as favourite against a Wellington side that has played out a pair of entertaining draws.

There’s plenty of firepower on both sides so both teams to score is the way to go, plus I do fancy the Jets to make it two for two at home.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Under 2.5 Goals @ $1.96

While Newcastle-Wellington might showcase plenty of entertaining football, this is probably going to be a slightly more defensively oriented contest.

Both Wanderers matches this season have finished 1-0 in favour of Marko Rudan’s side, while the Roar are scoreless after 180 minutes of play.

There is also a very strong chance that the Wanderers have a bit of a letdown following on from their big win over Melbourne Victory last week.

Brisbane on the other hand looks like a side still trying to work out what they do best and how to get the most out of marquee man Charlie Austin.

It’s shaping up as a low scoring contest which makes the under a value play.

Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
Draw @ $3.30

One of the feature matches on the A-League calendar is the Melbourne Derby and it’s shaping up to be played in front of a rocking AAMI Park on Saturday night.

It’s been two very different stories for the Victory so far with a big win away to Sydney FC before a disappointing loss at home last week to the Wanderers.

City dominated Brisbane last week to follow on from a huge opening night win over Western United.

These derbies always deliver on the drama and this one should be no different, three of the last four have also delivered draws so that is the way we are going to head for this one.

Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Sydney FC to Win @ $1.95

It was shaping up as a very grim start to the season for Sydney FC, trailing Western United 1-0 and having Adam Le Fondre failing to convert a penalty all in the opening half hour.

However it was their big name import trio of Le Fondre, Robert Mak and Joe Lolley providing the goals to course correct and get them a much needed win.

Now they have to find a way to build on that against an Adelaide team looking for a similar response after a disappointing effort against Macarthur.

However it’s tough to back against Sydney FC after they way they closed out their win last week and I’ll jump in on the Sky Blues.

Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Central Coast to Win @ $1.94

One way or another, the Mariners seem destined to make the headline week in, week out.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Jason Cummings, the Mariners have become must watch thanks to their exciting attacking play.

After a disappointing defeat in Newcastle last week, it’s tough to see Perth finding a way to bounce back here.

Take the Mariners to pick up another three points.