The A-League Finals are have arrived as we get set for the first two knockout fixtures heading into the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Central Coast do battle with Macarthur, while Brisbane Roar host Adelaide United.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Macarthur FC
June 12th 7:05pm
The first of two knockout fixtures commences when Central Coast hosts Macarthur FC at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
It’s been a whirlwind of thrills for Central Coast this season finishing third on the table after being handed the wooden spoon last season.
Mariners coach Alen Stajcic has done a phenomenal job to catapult his side up the A-League ladder and genuine chance of going all the way.
Macarthur, too, has been a surprise packet of the league this year as the newly inaugurated team locked away its finals berth despite a 3-0 loss to Wellington in its final regular season match.
Both the Mariners and Bulls met each other only three weeks ago.
Stajcic’s men came away with a 2-1 victory at Campbelltown Sports Stadium thanks to Jack Clisby and Daniel De Silva finding the back of the net.
A return home to the inflatable sauce bottle surroundings of its home ground should the Mariners progress.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 3 Macarthur FC 1
Suggested Bet: Central Coast Mariners head to head at $1.95
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Central Coast Mariners head to head
Leg 2: Both tams to score (Yes)
Leg 3: Matt Simon to score anytime
Combined odds = $5.25
Brisbane Roar vs. Adelaide United
June 13th 3:05pm
Brisbane Roar welcome Adelaide United to Moreton Daily Stadium for a Sunday afternoon elimination final clash.
The home ground advantage seemed to be the key in both teams fortunes against each other this season.
Brisbane scored a 3-1 victory at this very venue during Matchweek 6 courtesy of a double from Dylan Wenzel-Halls and a Jay O’Shea goal, prior to Adelaide getting revenge at Coopers Stadium thanks to a Craig Goodwin strike.
Warren Moon would still be left scratching his head after an indifferent month leading into this elimination.
The Roar stamped its case as a premiership threat with a 3-0 win over Melbourne City but followed it up with a mixed bag of form.
Moon’s men woud go on to lost against Western Sydney Wanderers, beat Perth Glory then fall to Sydney FC in their last game of the regular season.
Meanwhile, The Reds scurried their way into the finals with a 2-2 draw against Western Sydney in its last fixture giving them the solitary point it needed to qualify.
It is advantage Brisbane in this game given what it showed in that thumping of Melbourne City last month.
That form is far superior to anything dished by the Reds this season and it should come to the fore here.
Prediction: Brisbane Roar 2 Adelaide United 0
Suggested Bet: Brisbane Roar head to head at $2.20
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Brisbane Roar head to head
Leg 2: Dylan Wenzel-Halls to score anytime
Combined odds = $3.80
