What a weekend of A-League action in store for us!
It is all headlined by a massive clash between to spiteful rivals in Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory from AAMI Park.
The BetDeluxe has all the best bets on hand.
western united vs. adelaide united
december 17th 7:45pm
Western United will attempt to hold down its spot entrenched in the top three of the A-League table when it welcomes to Adelaide United to GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
The Black and Green Army has looked a completely different outfit under new coach John Aloisi compared to the team that missed the finals by a long way last season.
Adelaide, meanwhile, will be licking its wounds after a 2-1 loss in the ‘Original Rivalry’ against Melbourne Victory last weekend.
The Reds have looked well off the boil in the opening four fixtures and are yet to register a win.
Doubt they can change anything here against a Western United team that is really up and about early in the season.
Prediction: Western United 1 Adelaide United 0
Suggested bets: Western United head to head at $2.2
central coast vs. western sydney
december 18th 5:05pm
It is fifth on the table versus seventh when Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers go head to head on Saturday evening.
The Mariners put their season on track with an emphatic 2-0 win over Sydney, while Western Sydney was accounted for by Macarthur 2-0.
This game is one the toughest games of the weekend to line up.
Both teams have really mixed up their form this season making it hard to pick an outright winner and the market is finding it difficult to split this one as well.
Prediction: Central Coast 1 Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Suggested bet: Draw at $3.4
melbourne city vs. melbourne victory
december 18th 7:45pm
Another chapter in the rivalry between two spiteful neighbours is set to be written when A-League champion Melbourne City hosts Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday.
There will be a stinging sensation inside the Victory camp when they step out for this clash with their rivals taking the mantel as the top team in league.
The Victory have put together a great start to the season bar a blip on radar against Perth when they went down to 10 men.
City, meanwhile, has slowly built into the year and come into this off a 1-0 win over Perth Glory thanks to an 88th minute strike from Nathaniel Atkinson.
Looking at the markets, City look absolutely horrific odds for a team no where its peak just yet.
The market looks to be priced on what City has produced last season compared to its current form.
Even if Victory are without gun left back Jason Davidson, they look great value at the $5.25 on offer.
Prediction: Melbourne City 1 Melbourne Victory 2
Suggested bet: Melbourne Victory head to head at $5.25
macarthur vs. newcastle jets
december 19th 4:05pm
A big chance to solidify its spot atop of the A-League table presents itself for Macarthur FC when it clashes with Newcastle on Sunday evening.
The Bulls have kicked off from their final-finishing inaugural season by charging to first spot with an undefeated start through their first four matches.
A second-half double was enough to seal the deal against Western Sydney last weekend and put the Bulls into title contention.
Newcastle, meanwhile, hit this game full of momentum after a 4-0 thrashing of Wellington.
It was the first victory for new coach Arthur Papas and the weight off his shoulders is now released as his vision for the Jets continues to come into existence.
Both teams are clearly potent in attack, so expect goals in this game.
Another very difficult match to split, so we will go with a total market as our bet for this one.
Prediction: Macarthur 2 Newcastle Jets 2
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score in first half – YES at $4.19
sydney vs. wellington
december 19th 6:45pm
Coming off disappointing results in match week four, both Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix will be keen to bounce back into winning ways come Sunday night at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Sky Blues have looked nothing like the team that has been up the top of the A-League for so many years.
A 2-0 loss against Central Coast last week consigned them to 11th spot in the league, while Wellington lost its second consecutive match following a 4-0 implosion against Newcastle.
If you want to be forgiving of the Sky Blues and are keen to take the $1.8, then by all means.
Would much rather see them show us they are back in form rather than trying to back them into form.
Both teams will likely tread carefully in this match with the form looking dire in the last fortnight.
Prediction: Sydney FC 0 Wellington 0
Suggested Bet: Total goals scored under 1.5 at $3.79
