There’s one clear headline story in Round 20 of the A-League and it’s the belated proper homecoming for Perth Glory as they play their first match at HBF Park this season.
Having enjoyed a successful spell at Macedonia Park, the Glory will look to keep their slim finals hopes alive against the second placed Wanderers.
Elsewhere in the A-League, Brisbane and Western United are in real danger of being cut adrift of the race for the top six and will need to win their matches this weekend against Melbourne City and Victory respectively.
We’ve got you covered with our A-League Round 20 tips below!
It might be in a different stadium, but the rule for Glory home games remains the same as always, expect plenty of scoring chances over the 90 minutes.
Perth’s road trip was a miserable one with successive 2-1 defeats against Brisbane and Western United, but their home form is where they have built their success with 16 of their 20 points coming at Macedonia Park.
Western Sydney has won its last two and their most recent away game produced a memorable 4-4 draw in Adelaide.
Over their last three matches they have scored 10 goals so they are more than comfortable playing attacking football if that is what the situation dictates.
Stick with what has worked so far and back the overs in the total goals market.
With just one win from their last seven matches, the Mariners are struggling at the wrong time of the year as far as they are concerned.
That has seen them drop down to fourth place and any dropped points will see them likely finish the weekend in fifth.
Macarthur got a much needed win against the Roar last weekend, however they made it very difficult on themselves almost letting a 2-0 lead slip.
That was the fifth time in six matches that the Bulls had conceded at least two goals and the Mariners attack has been firing even in their poor run of results.
Last week’s loss to the Wanderers was the first time since December 27 that the Mariners had failed to score in a game and they should have no trouble starting a new streak here.
Look for the Mariners to jump out of the gate quickly and take an early lead on their way to a win.
We’re all set for a shootout in the Hunter with Newcastle taking on Adelaide with both teams boasting profitable attacks of late.
The Reds have been scoring for fun with 17 goals in their last five matches and they will be eying off an inconsistent Jets defence here.
On their day Newcastle have also had their share of success scoring but their issues at the other end of the pitch have cost them, conceding five goals in their last two defeats.
Backing Adelaide at $2.40 (at publish) looks like a tempting option, however the is a chance they may suffer a letdown after such a big win over Melbourne City last week.
Taking four or more goals to be scored is at the same price (at the time of publish) and with the way both teams are trending, it looks like we could be seeing plenty of goals flying in.
On recent form, few teams can boast a better record than the Nix with seven points from their last three games.
That has them sitting in fifth place heading into the weekend and they have a great chance to consolidate their position with a win over sixth placed Sydney FC.
Wellington has only lost twice at home this season and Sydney has taken 16 points away from home so the Nix could be in for a real challenge here.
However the Sky Blues have struggled with consistency all season and the potential letdown after last week’s Big Blue has me ready to steer clear of them.
Despite their recent form slump with two defeats in three matches, Melbourne City are deserved short priced favourites against Brisbane at home.
The reigning premiers have built a successful 2022/23 campaign on the back of a strong run of results at AAMI Park with six wins and two draws to date.
When the Roar come to town as well, they have had their number on just about every occasion with seven straight wins and their only home defeat coming in the first ever meeting between the two sides in November 2010.
Since then City have won 16 and drawn three home games against the Roar, so we are going to back that trend to continue here.
It’s a bit of a surprise to see Western United as such heavy underdogs considering their form heading into this match.
John Aloisi’s men come into the match on the back of successive wins over Newcastle and Perth, while the last placed Victory have played three draining rivalry games in a row.
Add in the fact Western United have won the last three meetings between the clubs, and there is some value to be found backing the upset.
It would be a big blow to the Victory as they are consigned to at least another week on the foot of the table but the price on the nominal visitors looks well over the odds.