The following are previews with betting tips for the Semi-finals First Legs of the 2024/25 A-Leagues Mens season.
Compare A-League bookmaker odds
View the A-League form guide
View bookmaker football promotions (excludes NSW, SA & WA)
 |
Melbourne City vs Western UnitedFriday May 16, 7:35pm AAMI Park |
 |
Western United have won their last six games on the trot, including a last start elimination win over Adelaide United, 3-2 at Ironbark Fields in front of a record 3078 spectators. Noah Botic scored twice, as Riku Danzaki also assisted twice. Botic secured his 13th and 14th strikes of the campaign to rise to the top of the A-League’s goal scoring charts. Whilst for ex-Motherwell Midfielder Danzaki, his performance was sublime and highlighted exactly why the ‘Green & Black’ are to be feared this campaign.
As for Melbourne City they’ve proven triumphant in six of their last nine clashes, with two of those also being draws. And the last time they stepped foot out onto the pitch was a 5-1 demolition job of Sydney FC at AAMI Park. A ruthless training run which witnessed them shoot 9/21 on target, completed 83% of their passes (393/474) and kicked the ‘Sky Blues’ out of finals contention in the process.
Two Melbourne Derbies in back-to-back weeks and to decide who gets to go to the Grand Final is a thought to simply salivate at for many Australian Football supporters across the country. Time and time again these two teams haven’t disappointed when pitted against one another. Plenty of highlight-packed games come to mind including around mid-last year when a beautiful curled in ball from Terry Antonis witnessed City steal the game in the 83rd-minute. Or during the 2022 season when the ‘Green & Black’ thought they were home at 2-0 up only to see strikes from Connor Metcalfe and Jamie Maclaren erase the deficit for a 2-2 stalemate. Or perhaps even the season prior when despite copping a humungous spray of 27 shots from City, Western held on for a memorable 2-1 victory. They put on a show for the fans and in a game that should attract at least 12000 eagerly awaiting spectators. This first legged clash is sure to be as entertaining as it is raucous.
Betting tips: Pick the ‘Green & Black’ to prevail at $2.70 (Bet365)
Also pick both teams to find the back of the net at $1.47 (BoomBet)
Whilst there will be eight + combined corners taken at $1.22 (Bet365)
And any of Noah Botic and/or Hiroshi Ibusuki will score anytime at $2.60 (Bet365)
 |
Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FCSaturday May 17, 7:35pm AAMI Park |
 |
Daniel Arzani take a bow. The ex-Celtic Forward put on a five-star display at CommBank Stadium on Saturday evening to eliminate the Wanderers 2-1 and earn the Victory a spot at the semi-finals table. In just the 7th minute he set up Kasey Bos beautifully. That before a strike on the stroke of halftime to Zinedine Machach came courtesy of an absolutely filthy run from Arzani during the lead-up.
Whilst Auckland are here courtesy of their absolutely thumping debut season. They’ve won the Premiership and are now gunning for the Championship under Steve Corica. From Day One Corica had/has the ‘Black Knights’ playing an electric and exciting brand of Football, a brand which began with a commanding 2-0 victory over the Roar at Go Media Stadium. Not too mention they are just a single game removed from being unbeaten in 14 straight.
Just a few short weeks ago it was Auckland who came to play in a 2-1 victory over the Victory at AAMI Park. Belgium-born Midfielder Louis Verstraete produced the opener in the 53rd minute, before Uruguayan-raised Forward Guillermo May put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute. Similar to that affair, that’s how I predict this first leg will play out. Melbourne will undoubtedly be up for the fight and may well be able to keep the ‘Black Knights’ ‘swordless’ for long periods of time. Western Sydney were kept to just one big chance, despite them owning 56% possession of the ball. Whilst prior to that against Newcastle at home, the Jets had zilch big chances created. However Jack Duncan & Co can only do so much whilst May – 9 goals + 2 assists, Neyder Moreno – 8 goals + 3 assists and Logan Rogerson – 8 goals + 2 assists, slowly chip away at their interior defence. Come 90 minutes + stoppage, the visitors should have at least a one-goal advantage headed into the second leg.
Betting tips: Back the ‘Black Knights’ to get the job done at $3.00 (Bet365)
Also look for the total goals scored to be over 3.5 at $2.62 (Bet365)
However no goals will be scored in the opening 9:59 minutes of play at $1.22 (Bet365)
And look for Guillermo May to strike anytime at $1.95 (Bet365)