We are two months into the A-League season, be honest with me. Did you truly expect Macarthur to be top of the table after seven games?
We saw some big scorelines in Week 7 and we now have another big slate of games this weekend!
I’ve run my eyes over the markets, checked the trends and played a bit of FIFA EAFC 24.
Here is my preview of Round 8 of the 2023/24 A-League Season
The last placed Western United will host the Brisbane Roar to kick off the weekend.
United have been dreadful, they’ve scored just three goals this season and let in a massive 16 already.
To the surprise of no one, they are $2.90 underdogs as they prepare to host the second placed Brisbane Roar.
What a season it’s been so far for Brisbane, Ross Aloisi’s men are 4-2-1 to start the year and are coming into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Adelaide United.
The Roar look incredible value here at $2.20. They’re on a four game unbeaten run at the moment and now get to play the worst team in the league.
No brainer here, up the Roar.
Adelaide have lost two in a row but I’m taking those losses with a grain of salt, they’ve still scored the most goals in the league and I think they will be climbing the ladder soon enough.
The Reds are big under dogs against the Wanderers however on Friday night. WSW are $1.88 to Adelaide’s $3.60.
We’ve got an immovable object vs an unstoppable force in this match up.
The Wanderers defence has been tough this year, they’ve conceded the second least amount of goals in the league, but will they be able to stop Adelaide?
The betting trends lean towards yes, Adelaide has lost each of its last five A-League Week 8 matches.
They’re coming off a 3-0 upset over the Nix and this Saturday afternoon, Newy will take on the Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Jets are $2.02 favourites over the Glory and it’s easy to see why.
Perth have had a rough run of late, they’ve lost four on the trot and are $3.40 to get the upset here.
There is an argument that can be made for Perth here I suppose, the Jets have the second leakiest defence in the league – they’ve allowed 14 goals on the year.
I’m leaning towards the draw however, each of the last four A-League night matches between Newcastle and Perth have resulted in a draw and given how poor both these teams have been defensively.
I can see them sharing points here.
One of the classic old rivalries, the Victory will host Sydney FC on Saturday night and this one could easily be the game of the round!
The Victory are up 3-2 over Sydney in their last five meetings and are $2.10 over Sydney’s $3.15.
The betting trends suggest a draw in this matchup, four of Melbourne Victory’s last five A-League matches have resulted in a draw and both teams to score has hit in each of Melbourne Victory’s last six A-League matches.
I’m leaning towards Melbourne however, Sydney have really struggled to find the back of the net this year and they will be without first choice GK Andrew Redmayne after his handball outside of the box last week.
We’ve got ourselves a Grand Final replay in Week 8 but it’s quite a sad state of affairs this time round.
Granted, they’re both coming off wins but if the season ended today, neither of these sides would be in the post season.
City head into this clash as favourites, they’ve only lost one of their last five games and seem to have shaken off the horror start that they had to the season.
CCM in their post CumDog era might also be getting back on track, they put four past Western United last week and haven’t lost a game since the 12th of November.
Melbourne City has won each of its last 11 A-League matches against Central Coast at AAMI Park, so it’s hard to go against them… isn’t it?
Wrapping up the week we have our current table leaders the Bulls hosting Wellington on Monday evening.
Macarthur are still undefeated on the year and are $2.30 to keep that streak alive.
Wellington are only one point behind Macarthur and should absolutley test them.
The underdog has won four of Wellington’s last five A-League matches and that’s enough to sway me to take the Nix.
Are we about to see Macarthur’s Linsanity run come to an end?