The A-League continues to heat up as we get set for another big set of season-shaping fixtures this weekend.
The BetDeluxe team has gone through all the games and to find the bets that represent the best value for the punters.
western sydney wanderers vs. melbourne city
february 11th 7:45pm
Western Sydney and Melbourne City go head to head in a Friday-night belter to get us underway for another weekend of A-League.
Since being appointed new Wanderers manager two weeks ago, Mark Rudan has had a bag of mixed results with first game being a 1-0 win over Perth and that was followed up by a 1-0 loss to Western United.
The Wanderers do look much more compact in defence and are playing with a bit more freedom under Rudan, but it could all change against City.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s men come into this game off six-goal thriller against Newcastle which it won 4-2.
Jamie Maclaren was in his usual goal-scoring form after netting a brace and will be a big issue for the Wanderers defence.
Prediction: Western Sydney 1 Melbourne City 3
Suggested bets: Melbourne City head to head at $1.80
wellington phoenix vs. adelaide united
february 12th 4:50pm
Fresh off ending Melbourne Victory’s nine-game unbeaten run on Wednesday, Wellington Phoenix hosts Adelaide United in a bid to make it three-consecutive league victories.
The Phoenix finally showed what they are capable of this season by defeating Victory 1-0 thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Oliver Sail.
Reno Piscopo may have scored the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute, but it was Sail who kept Wellington in the game with some amazing saves in the second half.
The Reds, meanwhile, need to get back into winning ways quickly after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home against Sydney.
Adelaide will, however, take in the confidence of a 4-0 win over the Phoenix earlier this season and that is probably the reason they are marked slight favourites here.
It will be tough to split these teams, given Phoenix have the ‘home-ground’ advantage.
Prediction: Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 1
Suggested bets: Draw at $3.5
melbourne victory vs. newcastle jets
february 12th 7:45pm
Melbourne Victory will try to get over its FFA Cup hangover when it hosts the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
It was a big weekend for the men in navy blue and white as they took home the FFA Cup against Central Coast.
Victory was not it’s guilt-edged self in a 1-0 loss to Wellington midweek, but would have shaken off the jaded feeling after their celebrations to prepare for this clash.
The Jets have battled along this year and sit 10th on the table, but they are very potent in attack.
They have scored 15 goals in their eight game this season and we could be set for a high-scoring fixture.
Prediction: Melbourne Victory 3 Newcastle Jets 2
Suggested bets: Melbourne Victory head to head at $1.95
sydney fc vs. western united
february 12th 7:45pm
Western United continues its sojourn through Sydney when it takes on Sydney FC at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium.
Sitting on top spot of the league table will have United coach John Aloisi absolutely buzzing at what his troops have dished up so far this season.
The same cannot exactly be said for the Sky Blues under Steve Corica.
Sydney has been extremely inconsistent this season despite sitting third on the table.
There are a heap of teams around the Sky Blues who have games in hand, so realistically, it is a case of a mid-table team against the top dogs.
Have to side with Western United here.
Prediction: Sydney FC 1 Western United 2
Suggested bets: Western United head to head at $3.50
central coast vs. perth glory
february 13th 5:45pm
Central Coast Mariners will try to put the heartbreak of an FFA Cup Final loss behind them when they meet Perth Glory on Sunday evening.
The Mariners played out a pulsating 3-3 draw against Macarthur FC midweek, but would still be feeling the sting of FFA Cup defeat.
Perth, meanwhile, has had the season from hell.
Sitting last on the table is not exactly where coach Richard Garcia would have had has team placed and a 1-0 loss to lowly-ranked Western Sydney did their confidence no good either.
Tough to tip a team that is down on form like Glory and with Daniel Sturridge providing minimal output, one has to wonder whether the Glory’s season is over.
Prediction: Central Coast 2 Perth Glory 1
Suggested bets: Central Coast Mariners head to head at $2.15
brisbane roar vs. macarthur fc.
february 13th 6:45pm
Macarthur FC is on the road again, this time up north to Queensland for a Sunday-night clash against Brisbane Roar.
The Bulls played out a crazy 3-3 with Central Coast after coming from behind on multiple occasions as Tommy Oar and Craig Noone put their hands up for goal-of-the-season contenders.
The visitors are definitely on track for a tilt at the A-League championship given what we have seen this season, while Roar is doing its best to try to stay off the bottom and keep in touch with the top six.
Brisbane was sent back home with its tail in between its legs after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The Roar need to get better and pronto if they are to salvage anything from this season.
Doubt that will happen against the Bulls who are well drilled and structured.
Prediction: Brisbane Roar 1 Macarthur FC 2
Suggested Bet: Macarthur head to head at $3.10
