The following are previews with betting tips for the final regular season fixtures of the 2019/20 A-League season.
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Saturday, August 15
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Sydney FC v Western United5:00 PM AEST, Leichardt Oval |
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Last RD-Â Sydney claimed just their 5th draw of the season and in-turn their 53rd point, as they left Newcastle with a 1-1 draw against Brisbane. The Sky Blues conceded 1st to Wenzel-Halls in just the 11th minute of the game. But on the 40th minute it was another youngster in the form of Luke Ivanovic who stood up massively for Sydney with a brilliant individual effort, which evened things up. And that was how the match ended. Sydney owned 57% of the ball and shot a nice 6/10 on target + they had a shot bounce of the woodwork. They also completed a strong 85% of their passes. Something which was good for 515/608. Additionally, they won 37 duels and 10 aerial duels. They also made 15 tackles and gave away 15 fouls. But, they conceded no yellows or reds. This was a still-rusty, yet-better performance from Sydney, especially so when compared to their other recent match’s.
Barring losing 8-0 over their final two games, United’s last-start 2-0 win over Perth in Parramatta was/ has been good enough to get them Finals Football within their 1st season in the A-League. An impressive feat for sure! It was their 11th victory of the season and leaves them on 33 points. With also a great GD of +10. Berisha bagged his 16th and 17th goals of the season, in the 27th and 52nd minutes of a game in which he dominated the Glory from start to finish. W.U. shot 3 of their 5 attempted shots on target, with 46% ownage of the ball. They also completed 85% of their passes. Something which was good for 398/470. They won 51 duels and 11 aerial duels as well. Whilst they made 19 tackles and leaked a high 21 fouls. 2 Of which were yellow cards. They are in some sort of form at the moment and with the way Sydney are playing, they should be somewhat wary of an upset being caused here.
Past History-Â The only time these two sides have ever met one-another, was on the 1st of DEC, last year. There at GMHBA Stadium. The Sky Blues came away with a hard-fought 2-0 victory. Le Fondre scored the games two goals in the 27th and 49th minutes of the match. And whilst Sydney shot 6/8 on target, Western United shot only 2/22 on target! OUCH! And Sydney had just 39% possession of the ball, compared to United who owned 61% of it during the match. Sydney completed 79% of their passes and United 89% of theirs. they were good for 313/394 and 539/609 respectively. The Sky Blues had 3 corners and United, one more than that. Sydney won 59 duels to their 57. And the aerial duels were locked up at 18 a piece. The Sky Blues made 23 tackles and United, one less. And Sydney leaked 10 fouls + a yellow. As for United, they were at 12 and 3 respectively. Will history repeat itself here? Or will United come through with the upset victory?
Key Player-Â Barbarouses has been struggling since the season resumed. Brattan hasn’t really found his goal-scoring mojo this campaign. Alfie is a bit out of form. Buhagiar is restricted with the impact that he can make, coming of the bench. Caceres is ehhh. So enter Luke Ivanovic. One of the A-Leagues most talented young gems. He scored a worldly against the Roar earlier this week and he deserves a lot of credit for being able to pull Sydney back into that match. As they were looking absolutely dearth of any real, legit attacking options before that. And just moments before his fine strike, he had nearly scored after doing a brilliant solo run in/ about Brisbane’s box, as his shot just missed the goals. The 20 year-old, has more on-target shots, 3, then he does off, 2, this campaign. And despite being restricted to just 12 minutes per game so far, with only 12 games played, he’s certainly made his impact felt on the field. And with Sydney likely to rest some of their big-name players, as this is their final regular-season game before the finals start, expect him to play a significant role for the Sky Blues in this one.
Betting tips: Pick Sydney to win at $2.02 (UniBet)
Also pick both teams to score at $1.66 (Bet365)
And also pick pick the highest scoring half to be the 2nd one at $2.05 (BetEasy)
Wednesday, August 19
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Western United v Melbourne City7:30 PM AEST, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium |
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Last RD-Â It’s an all-up Melbourne Derby right here. And boy oh boy, won’t Mark Rudan’s men be ready for this one! Most recently, they toppled the Glory 2-0 at Bankwest Stadium. A fine result which secured them a maiden Finals Football appearance. Not a bad feat for their first season in the A-League! Prior to that, they toppled the Wanderers 5-3, at Jubilee Stadium. Then it was a 1-0 loss to Newcastle, in Newcastle. Then 2 straight wins before that, beating Adelaide 5-1, in Adelaide and the Mariners 6-2, at GMHBA Stadium. Bersiha, Diamanti, Burgess, Pain & Co, have simply been killing it for the new boys on the block as of late. And they’ll love nothing more then for the opportunity to give 2nd placed City on last shake-up before the finals start. For instance, in their most recent victory over the Glory, ‘Bes’ claimed his 16th and 17th strikes of the season and thrives in these sorts of high-pressure environments. And whilst having only 5 shots in total, 3 of them still landed on target. + They completed their passes at an 85% clip, which was good for 398/470. They’ll be full of confidence headed into this clash, that’s for sure!
City are currently 2nd with 13 wins and 5 draws to their name. And they have been in some simply scintillating form as of late, making this game all the more exciting to watch. City’s latest match, saw them draw 2-2 with the Reds at ANZ Stadium. Luna scored the games 1st goal in the 34th minute. Then just 6 minutes after that, Maclaren scored his 20th of the campaign to put Melbourne 2-0 up and to also edge Le Fondre by 1 goal in the race for the Golden Boot. Adelaide would proceed to score late through Opseth (78th min) and Halloran (91st min), to make for an incredibly exciting climax to the game. City shot 2/2 on target + had a shot hit the woodwork, with just 36% possession of the ball. They also completed only 73% of their passes, which was good for 254/349. + They won 54 duels and 17 aerial duels. Whilst they made 21 tackles and also gave up 14 fouls. 6 Of which were yellows and the 1 red. Noone saw red in the 67th minute for a bad tackle and City struggled a bit after that. With the 2 Melbourne teams right here, it’s bound to be a good, intense one!
Past History-Â City have won both the affairs ever played between these two teams. Most recently on the 3rd of JAN, this year, they came out on top 3-2 at AAMI Park. Prior to that, last year, in Geelong, they also won 2-1. In the most recent clash, Melbourne’s goals came via a Maclaren double (5th and 44th mins) and one to Luna (36th min). Whilst Berisha made things slightly interesting with a strike in the 75th min. And Diamanti made his side think they could perhaps do the un-thinkable with a goal just 4 minutes after his Striker got one. City shot 6/21 on target in this encounter, having a shot also hit the woodwork. Whilst United went 5/8. It was also a high-fouling game, as is expected in Derbies, as City leaked 15 and United 13. Both sides also received 3X yellows a piece. Whilst City saw red also to Delbridge in the 78th minute of the match. A foul that really allowed United back into the game. Will history repeat itself for the 3rd time here, with another City win? Or will United stand strong and show their opponents the mettle that they’re really made of?
Key Player-Â It’s impossible to go past the two key Strikers here in the form of Berisha and Maclaren. Berisha is currently 3rd in the Golden Boot standings, with 17 goals on the season. Whilst Macca is 1st, with 20. These two guys are bound to put on one hell of a show in this clash! Despite turning 35 this year, Bes has still played in 23 games in United’s un-likely run to the finals. He’s shown he’s still got it, whilst he also has 18 shot assists. As for Maclaren, he is helping to break all sorts of history for City, as they’ve come 2nd in the regular-season for the 1st time ever in their history. Whilst the 27 year old, also has 4 assists. Both these star men, are they key to their respective teams attacks. If one of them can score first for their team, then it will give them a MASSIVE advantage throughout the match. This battle is sure to have a significant outcome on the overall result of the game. And you gotta tune into it! Cancel your plans, cause this is it!
Betting tips: When the match odds become available;
A- Pick Western United to be victorious at $2.60 (Unibet).
B- Also pick them to find the back of the net first with a goal.
And C- Pick Berisha to score at anytime/ likewise for Maclaren.
Best Bets of the Round
Sydney vs Western United match;
Pick the correct score to be 2-1 in favor of Sydney at $8.50 (Bet365)
Also pick the 1st goal-scorer to be Le Fondre at $3.85 (BetEasy)
And when the match odds become available for the MEL Derby, pick City to score the last goal of the game.