The following are previews with betting tips for Round 19 of the 2019/20 A-League season.
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Friday, February 14
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Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners7:30 PM AEDT, Coopers Stadium |
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Last RD- Adelaide currently sit in 5th spot on the ladder, with 8 wins and 8 losses for the season so far. They are just 5 points of 3rd placed Perth. They are also just one win of dropping out of the finals altogether. They are in a precarious position at the moment. As they sit smack bang in the middle of the A-League ladder. Their last game was a 2-1 defeat to Brisbane in Brisbane. Halloran gave them a 58th minute lead, with the first goal of the game. But late 68th and 74th minute goals to the Roar, saw them steal away the win and hand the Reds the L. Adelaide owned 55% of the ball throughout the game, yet they managed to only muster up 5 shots on target from 18 attempts. They also completed a strong 86% of their passes, which was good for 483/563. They gave away only 10 fouls and 3 yellows.
For the Mariners, they are currently 2nd last on the A-League ladder. They have 11 defeats from 16 games played and have posted only 4 victories on the season. Their GD is at -15 currently, the 2nd worst in the whole of the competition. At a rain soaked Hunter Stadium last round, they lost a highly-entertaining 4-3 game to the Jets in what was the latest edition of the F3 Derby. The Central Coast scored their goals via Tongyik (45th minute), Clisby (49th minute) and a first Mariners goal to recent new signing, Harold (86th minute). They couldn’t quite get a point after Harold’s late, stunning goal in front of a low crowd. Despite only owning 36% of the ball, the Mariners still shot a very, very respectable 4/7 on target. They also completed 73% of their passes, which was good for 219/298. They gave up 9 fouls and 1 yellow throughout the duration of the game.
Past History- Adelaide have won 9 of the past 11 games played between these two sides. However, the last time they met, the Mariners caused an upset in Gosford as they were victorious 2-1. That day saw Rowles score in the 4th minute of the game and Duric in the 42nd. Halloran would strike back and get one in return for the Reds just 4 minutes later. But evidently it wasn’t enough. That game saw the Mariners own 55% of the ball, shooting 4/9 on target and complete 78% of their passes. Which was good for 354/453. For Adelaide, they had 45% possession of the ball. They shot just 5/17 on target and they completed 73% of their passes, which was good for 258/352.
Key Player- Tongyik. He scored his first ever A-League goal just 6 minutes after he was subbed on due to a Rowles injury. The youngster has played in only 4 total game this season. And his minutes average is just at 45 per game. But if Rowles misses this game, then he will more then likely start in his place. And Adelaide will target him given his age and in-experience. Thus he has to be ready to perform in the big-time for the Mariners. In some positive stats from his campaign to date, he’s won 12/18 duels, 1/1 takeons and has given away 0 fouls and he also has no errors leading to shots. The former Wanderer has a chance to really solidify something on the Central Coast, given their love affair with starting young players and giving them chances. First game up, this is where he’ll have to show how badly he wants it, on the back of his goal and appearance vs Newcastle.
Betting tip: Pick Adelaide to win at $1.50 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to score the games first goal at $1.41 (BetEasy)
Saturday, February 15
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Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City5:00 PM AEDT, Eden Park |
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Last RD- Wellington came close in Perth, but not close enough, as they suffered a 4-2 loss to the Glory. This was a result that has left them in 4th spot on the ladder on 24 points. It was only their 6th defeat of the campaign from 16 games played. They are now just 5 points of 3rd placed Glory. But also, at the same time, they are only 3 dropped points of being out of a finals position all together. They conceded goals in the 43rd, 46th, 54th and 90th minutes of the game. Their two strikes both came via Hooper (68th and 76th minutes). There was a fairly controversial red given out to Payne in the 71st minute for what was deemed a bad foul. And it completely changed the way the game was being played, as well as the potential outcome of it. The Nix owned 55% of the ball, but managed to shoot only 3/13 on target. They completed 86% of their passes, which was amazingly good for 504/583. They leaked 14 fouls, including 2 yellows and the 1 red.
For City last round, they beat Melbourne in a highly-entertaining Derby as they came away with a close 2-1 victory. The 3 points means that City are currently in 2nd spot on the ladder. Although as it stands, they are a whole 10 points of 1st placed Sydney. They are two wins ahead of the 4th placed Nix though and 9 ahead of 7th placed Western United. At AAMI Park, their goals came via Berenguer (8th min) and Maclaren (71st min). That was ‘Maccas’ 14th goal of the season, as he is now just one of the league leader, Adam Le Fondre. City owned 47% of the ball throughout the game and shot just 2/8 on target. They additionally completed 77% of their passes, which was good for 338/439. They also have up 13 foul during the match, including 3 yellows.
Past History- City have won 8 of the past 11 games played between these two normally highly-entertaining sides. Last year and most recently, Melbourne beat Wellington 3 goals to 2 at AAMI Park. For City, Metcalfe (30th min), Galloway (4 mins later) and Noone (63rd min), were their goal-scorers. The Nix’s goals came via Hooper (24th min) and a late consolation goal to Waine (93rd min). City owned 61% of the ball throughout the match, they shot a solid 8/16 on target and they completed 85% of those passes. That great accuracy rate was good for 495/580. For Wellington, they owned just 39% of the ball. They shot only 3/7 on target and they completed just 74% of their passes. Those were good for 275/373.
Key Player- Hooper. The former Celtic man scored twice vs the Glory last round (one of the A-League’s best sides). And on the season he has 4 from 12 games. He’s also got 2 goal assists next to his name. He has proven to be a great complimentary player next to Davila, whilst he’s also shown he can be the star of the show when necessary. Here he’ll have to step up big-time against a free-flowing, high-attacking City side. The Nix won’t want to make a habit of their 2-goal loss to the Glory. The fact that he’s also won 32/56 duels and 13/17 takeons shows that he can dirty when needed to as well. Expect him to have a big performance in this one as he aims to help give the Nix all 3 points.
Betting tip: Pick both teams to score at $1.57 (Bet365)
Also pick Hooper to score at any time for Wellington at $2.48 (BetEasy)
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets7:30 PM AEDT, Bankwest Stadium |
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Last RD-Â Western Sydney’s highly anticipated Derby against Sydney FC was called of last round due to the torrential weather conditions the city of Sydney has been facing recently. So their last game was actually in Round 17, where they beat the Mariners 3-1 up in Gosford. They conceded a late 82nd minute goal, but their goals through Muller, Duke and Cox, in the 42nd, 76th and 95th minutes of the game, meant that in the end, they were far to strong for the home-side. Despite owning 58% of the ball throughout the match, they managed to shoot just 5/23 on target + they had a shot hit the woodwork. They also completed a solid 81% of their attempted passes, which was good for 387/478. Additionally during the game they have up 11 fouls, as well as 2 yellow cards. This was a result which leaves them in 8th spot on the table, with 5 wins from 15 games. On 17 points, they are just 5 points of catching 6th placed Brisbane for a finals spot. Looking at it the other way, they’re just 4 points ahead of the last-placed Mariners and Jets.
It was a low crowd, in a rain soaked Derby, but that simply didn’t matter to Newcastle as they claimed a much needed 4-3 F3 Derby win over the Mariners last round. The Jets four great goals came twice through Petratos (15th and 52nd minutes), Topor-Stanley (25th minute) and Eun-Sun OG (55th minute). They owned 64% possession of the ball throughout the game. And they shot a strong 8/22 on target + they had a shot bounce of the woodwork. They completed a great 87% of their passes as well, which was good for 457/528. Outside of that, they leaked 12 fouls during the match, as well as one yellow. This was quite honestly an outstanding game to watch! Leaky defences, but amazing attacks! The Jets are still in 11th spot, but they are also now on 11 points = with the Central Coast. They have the worst GD in the whole A-League at -17. But they have a clearer vision also for now and the future. As it stands, they’re just three wins currently of the 6th placed Roar.
Past History- Newcastle have a recent surprising history against the Red & Black. They have won 5 of their past 6 played matches against them, with the other one being a 2-2 draw back in 2018, at Spotless Stadium (remember that supposed Footballing venue?). Most recently, the Jets beat the Wanderers up in the Hunter Valley last season, 2 goal to nil. Thurgate scored first for the Jets after a long wait for goals, in the 78th minute. And Petratos made sure of the result with a goal of his own just 8 minutes later. Newcastle owned 48% of the ball, yet shot a very impressive 10/14 on target. They also completed 73% of their passes, which was good for 290/396. Western Sydney on the other hand, owned 52% of the ball. Yet they hit a poor 4/22 on target, + they had 2 shots hit the woodwork. They were good for a 75% passing completion rate, good for 309/414.
Key Player- Topor-Stanley. Last round in the F3 Derby he bagged an unexpected goal in an unexpected win. The veteran has been willing away at it all season and his defensive abilities without the ball at his feet, will be crucial in holding the Wanderers out in this one. With only three being played at the back, this is as especially crucial as ever if the ball gets past the Jets midfield. He’s made 8/16 tackles and won 72/124 duels this season. He’s not the best there is. But you can never question his effort for his beloved Jets. The 34 year old will have to particularly be on his game so that he’s not outpaced by some of what the Red & Black has to offer. Expect him to be a big part of whatever Newcastle achieve this game, no matter how small or how big it may be.
Betting tip: Pick the Red & Black to be victorious at $2.10 (SportsBet, Bet365)
Also pick both teams to find the back of the net at least once at $1.61 (Bet365)
Sunday, February 16
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Western United v Brisbane Roar4:00 PM AEDT, Mars Stadium |
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Last RD- Western United are currently in 7th position on 21 points. They are just 3 points of 4th, highlighting how close, yet so far they are from the A-League’s upper echelon of teams. On the season they have 6 wins and 7 losses, as well as 3 draws from 16 games played. They had the bye last round, so their previous game was a close 0-0 draw with the Jets in Newcastle, during Round 17. Western United conceded zero goals, despite the Jets taking 26 shots against them! Impressive stuff! They owned 40% of the ball, as they shot 2 of their 4 shots on target during the game. They also completed 80% of their passes, which was good for 286/359. Outside of that, they gave up 9 fouls and one yellow. At least defensively-wise, it was a top-notch effort from Mark Rudan’s side.
Happy days for Brisbane and their fans, as they currently reside in 6th spot for the first time in a long time. Through 16 played games so far, they have 6 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats to their name. On 22 points, they are just two of 4th place. But also one of being out of a finals position all together. Whilst the last-placed Mariners and Jets are both on 13 points, they are two teams, that if their last game is anything to go by, could rise the ladder quickly and prove to be a threat to the Roar. At home last round and down in the 58th minute due to a Halloran goal, they looked down and out. But goals via Muratovic in the 68th minute and Aldred just 6 minutes later, they claimed the sensational comeback victory. With 45% of the ball, they shot 7/15 on target. They also completed 84% of their passes, which was good for 385/480. As well as that, they gave up 9 fouls and 4 yellows.
Past History- The only time these two sides have ever met was back on the 13th of December last year at Suncorp Stadium. There Western United came away with a somewhat surprising 2-0 victory. Pain opened the scoring for the away side in the 11th minute of the match. And then Berisha, who won countless trophies during his much-storied tenure at the Roar, struck against them in the 46th minute to make the score what it was. Western United won despite having just 29% possession of the ball during the game and going 3/6 on target. They also completed 78% of their passes, which was good for 222/286. As for Brisbane, they had 71% of the ball. But they shot a simply horrific 1/20 on target! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! They did however complete a strong 89% of their passes. Those were good for 614/690.
Key Player- McDonald. He left Western United in rather sour circumstances after not being given enough or having earned enough playing time. He was under the ire of head coach Mark Rudan at United and he left for the Roar. No doubt you can expect the home fans to really give it to him all game. Like whenver Janjetovic plays against Sydney or Barbarouses against Melbourne. He pissed of ‘supposedly’ a lot of people at the club. How he handles the pressure will be key to Brisbane, given his relative importance to the side. This campaign he’s scored only 1 goal and shot more off target shots 9, then on, 4. He will either crumble hugely under pressure in this one, or come up with an absolute peach of a game. There’ll be no in-between for the former Socceroo.
Betting tip: Pick Brisbane to win at $2.88 (UniBet)
Also pick both teams to score at $1.53 (Bet365, BetEasy)
Best Bet of the Round
Pick Adelaide to win at $1.50 (SportsBet)
Also pick them to score the games first goal at $1.41 (BetEasy)
Incredibly thorough and current, appreciated!