Welcome back hooligans!!
The A League is back.
We have new players, new coaches and best of all – A NEW TEAM.
Let’s preview some of the best action and tips across the league this week.
Western united fc v adelaide united
DECEMBER 28TH 7:05PM
Western United kick off their second A-League campaign after a semi-final loss to Melbourne City brought their impressive debut season to a bittersweet end.
Alessandro Diamanti takes the captain’s armband for Western United. Diamanti capped off a stellar debut A-League season by winning the Johnny Warren medal last season as the A-League’s best player and he will attempt to pull the strings against this inexperienced Adelaide United team.
Adelaide will be looking to vastly improve on its seventh-placed finish last season which saw it miss finals.
It has appointed a new coach in the form of Carl Veart in an attempt to climb back up the ladder into finals contention.
Veart will be hoping he can get the likes of attackers Al Hasan Toure, Mohamed Toure and Tomi Juric firing on all cylinders to remain competitive in not only this match but throughout the whole season.
Prediction: Western United has the runs and experience on the board to start off its second A-League season with a win.
Western United 2 Adelaide United 1
Suggested bets: Western Sydney head to head at $2
brisbane roar fc v melbourne city fc
DECEMBER 29TH 7:05pm
Melbourne City will be looking to go one better this season after coming agonizingly close to its maiden A-League Premiership win when it was defeated in extra-time by Sydney FC.
It will now be up to Patrick Kisnorbo to guide City as he steps from an assistant coaching role with the club to become the permanent head coach following the departure of Erick Mombaerts.
City will also be reliant on its star striker and 2019/20 Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren to head its charge towards yet another tilt at silverware this season.
For Brisbane, it will be looking to repeat its efforts from the last time these two teams met at this very stadium which saw the Roar win an epic high-scoring encounter 4-3.
Veteran Scott McDonald will lead the front line for the Roar again as the pair look to push towards yet another finals berth.
Prediction: It’s tough to split these two. The class of Melbourne City and the home-ground advantage for Brisbane.
Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne City 1
Suggested bet: Draw at $3.4.
western sydney wanderers v macarthur
DECEMBER 27TH 11:30AM
The new found rivalry of the A-League is here.
Macarthur FC will head to Western Sydney as it begins its inaugural A-League season.
Socceroo veteran Mark Milligan has been appointed captain of the A-League’s most brand new squad and former Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic will gaffer the Bulls.
It has also added some serious class in the heart of midfield with the signing of Benat Etxebarria.
The spanish central midfielder played 181 games for Athletic Bilbao between 2013-2020 and 105 matches for Real Betis.
He will be joined by his old Bilbao teammate Mark Susaseta who signed with the Bulls after being released by Melbourne City.
The Wanderers won’t be without talent and experience either having signed Bernie Ibini and James Troisi to add a heap of attacking flare to its offensive line-up.
Carl Robinson was also nabbed by Western Sydney to become its new head coach and the Wanderers will be hoping he is the man who can add the tactical nous required to snap its three-year finals drought.
Prediction: Another game with two teams that are hard to split but there should be goals in this one.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 Macarthur 2
Suggested bet: Total goals over 3.5 at $2.75
central coast mariners v newcastle jets
DECEMBER 31st 7:05pm
An F3 Derby to bring in the New Year.
Central Coast Stadium will be buzzing as these rivals go head to head yet again.
It’s been a tumultuous handful of seasons for both these clubs.
The Mariners have been unable to climb off the bottom of the A-League table for three years but the signing of veteran Costa Rican striker Marco Urenas is the first step towards the Mariners trying to turn its fortunes around.
Meanwhile, the Jets were left without a head coach in the off-season following the shock departure of Carl Robinson who took the top job at Western Sydney.
It also faces an ongoing ownership crisis with club owner Martin Lee stripped of his ownership and licence.
There seems to be a little bit more buzz around the Central Coast Mariners camp heading into this game and the price to find out if they can win is definitely enticing.
A contracted coach, an exciting new signing and a home game to start the season.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 2 Newcastle Jets 1
Suggested Bet: Central Coast Mariners head to head at $3.65
