Has anything happened in the A-League during the week? I haven’t read the news.
There’s been big shake ups (or should I say KeepUps) to how football is run in this country but the one thing that will not change is the incredible quality of football we see each week.
There’s five games of football this weekend, let’s focus on that.
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 13 of the 2023/24 A-League Season.
The Roar escaped with a late win over the Newcastle Jets last week and have broken their four game losing streak.
On the back of that 3-2 win they’re $2.02 favourites heading into this game against the Bulls who have not won a game in their last five matches.
Despite getting the three points last week I still struggle to back the Roar with any confidence this week.
Macarthur could be a little bit of value for an upset, they’re paying $3.25 and I’m leaning towards them here to pick up the three points.
Easily the game of the round this one.
We have the top two teams in the comp doing battle on Friday afternoon.
The bookies are giving you a great price for the ‘Nix.
Top of the table Wellington are $3 to win at home over the Vics and keen followers of my A-League previews will know that we’ve made a fair bit of money off Wellington this year.
Wellington has won four of its last five A-League matches as a home underdog and I’d be crazy not to stick with the Kiwis.
Friday night the Sky Blues will host Newcastle and the bookies aren’t giving the Jets much of a chance.
Sydney are massive $1.64 favourites compared to Newy’s $4.60 and after the Jets performance against the Roar can you blame them?
The Jets are circling around the bottom of the ladder, currently five points clear of the Glory and six clear of United but a loss here to Sydney could see that gap shorten.
I’m sticking with Sydney in this one the bookies have probably got this one right.
Saturday evening the Wanderer’s will host the second last Perth Glory who are looking pretty grim at $5.60.
The Glory are on a three game losing streak and the third placed Wanderers have won three of their last five and will be up and about after knocking off Melbourne City last Friday night.
This is another game that the bookies have probably nailed, the home team has won seven of the last eight A-League matches between Western Sydney and Perth and given the massive difference in price.
I think the Wanderers get up comfortably here.
Wrapping up the week the Mariners will host Melbourne City whose rise up the ladder stuttered last week with a 1-0 loss to the Wanderers.
Fourth placed Cenny Coast are unbeaten in their last five games and were lucky to do just that with a late minute equaliser against the Victory.
Despite being the $2.30 favourites, I lean towards Melbourne City at $2.85, Melbourne City has won three of its last four A-League matches as an underdog and I will take $2.85 every day of the week.
The bookies have the Brisbane Roar as $2.40 favourites over Newcastle despite the dismal last month the once great side has had.
Brisbane have copped four losses in a row, a coach walking out on them mid season and now complaints about the playing surface at Suncorp.
It really breaks your heart to see such a beloved club hanging on by a thread.
BUT.
This week as I mentioned the bookies don’t mind them against Newy, the Jets have been mediocre at best so far this season and I genuinely believe the Roar can turn things around.
The betting trends lean Newcastle, Brisbane has lost five of its last six A-League night matches as a favourite but I’m sticking with the orange and black!