A-League Tips Round 14

Sydney FC v Newcastle – (Wed 7:50pm)

Where to next for Sydney FC…. They were at their devastating best in what was their biggest win ever over Perth extending their lead at the top to 8 points. Currently on a 7 match win streak in the league they are somehow improving with every game. Bobo is coming off back to back hat-tricks with Graham Arnold’s side scoring 18 goals in their last 4 games. The Jets are fully aware of the Sky Blues’ capabilities having now lost their last 9 meetings against the champions. In fact, Sydney have held Newcastle scoreless in 6 of the last 7 meetings! This top of the table clash will be a midweek treat and an absolute goalfest. They are the two highest scoring teams in the A-League by a big margin – combining for 63 goals. Just to get an idea… Sydney have scored 33 goals, Newcastle netted 30 with the next best on just 18. The Jets have scored in all 13 of their A-League matches this season with Over 2.5 goals saluting in 12 of those games. With a 7 point gap back to 3rd place the Jets are not going to Allianz for a point. This is a chance to close the gap on the runaway leaders and they will be fully aware that they will need multiple goals if they are to stand any chance of victory. The Overs is as close to a 5 chipper as we will get this week.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals ($1.60)
Value Bet: Over 4.5 goals ($4.75)

Brisbane v Western Sydney – (Fri 7:50pm)

Prior to last week they had combined for just 4 wins this season but the Roar and Wanderers managed to grab all 3 points. The Roar had to do it the hard way after McKay was sent off in the first half and they will be without him this week as a result. The Wanderers scored two goals in as many minutes to post a come from behind win over Melbourne City with coach Josep Gombau very satisfied with his sides character after having conceded first and losing a key player in Cejudo early on. They will have to do it without the Spaniard again this week which means both sides will be without their respective midfield generals. The Wolf says both sides will suffer, leaving gaping holes in the centre of the park. It means a free flowing game which is great news for the neutrals. Both teams have found the back of the net in 9 of the last 10 meetings so look for that trend to continue. This game will be tailor made for the likes of Khalfallah and Skapetis so look for them to run riot on the flanks for Brisbane. The Wolf is expecting Brisbane to dominate possession but lets not forget how well the Wanderers hit the Mariners on the counter a few weeks back. The side that takes their chances best will claim victory.

Best Bet: Both Teams To Score – YES ($1.57)
Value Bet: 1st Half Over 1.5 goals ($2.75)

Perth v Adelaide – (Fri 10:00pm)

Adelaide’s inability to score goals is becoming increasingly concerning. Despite Brisbane being relegated to 10 men in the first half they had to fight tooth and nail to score a single goal. They had a mountain of possession but it was not enough. Absalonsen made his long awaited return coming on midway through the second half and he is likely to be injected into the starting XI. The Wolf is expecting him to make an immediate impact and the Glory will definitely have a game plan to contain him. Having a plan is one thing, executing it is quite another. The Glory were embarrassed last week and The Wolf cannot see them turning things around in less than 7 days. Wilson and Andreu were completely outplayed in central midfield and they have lacked the firepower that we have been used to seeing. They have managed just 5 goals in their 5 home games this season and it comes after having scored multiple goals in 7 of their last 8 at nib Stadium to finish off last season. This one will be a real arm wrestle.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals ($2.05)
Value Bet: Draw ($3.40)

Melbourne Victory v Central Coast – (Sat 5:35pm)

The Mariners scoring drought continued last week and is now approaching 400 minutes of football! The Under is 8-2 in their last 10 matches as a result and they now find themselves in 9th place on the ladder. While the Mariners slide, the Victory continue to climb and are doing so at a rapid rate. Wins in 3 of their last 4 has them sitting in 3rd spot and with the Jets playing Sydney FC we could see them close the gap to second. Berisha and Barbarouses did the damage against the Jets with Leroy George proving very hard to stop on the other wing. The Victory are growing in confidence and after seeing them dominate the Jets The Wolf cannot see the Mariners getting a foot into this one. The pressure will be relentless and this could be the first Mariners capitulation since their opening round loss the Newcastle. Melbourne are undefeated in their last 13 A-League encounters with the Mariners and that streak will be extended.

Best Bet: Melbourne Victory WIN ($1.66)
Value Bet: Melbourne Victory 4+ goals ($6.50)

Melbourne City v Wellington – (Sat 7:50pm)

Wellington are glued to the bottom of the ladder and The Wolf says that they are destined to collect the dreaded wooden spoon. They have managed just a single win in their last 14 matches dating back to last season, have lost 5 of their last 7 away games (2 draws) and have failed to scored in their last 5 away games. City’s form hasn’t been much better with 3 consecutive defeats but we have to steer well clear of the Nix when they play on this side of The Tasman. A single goal was enough for City when they last met and The Wolf is predicting them to make it 6 wins in a row against Wellington.

Best Bet: Teams To Score – Melbourne City Only ($2.85)
Value Bet: Melbourne City 1-0 ($8.50)

Best Bets Round 13

Best Bet: Perth v Adelaide Under 2.5 goals ($2.05)
Best Value Bet: Melbourne Victory 4+ goals ($6.50)