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‘Lady Luck’ has been on Western United’s side in the last two months. They have won 5 of their last 6 and found a way to overcome a 3-2 deficit away to Melbourne Victory with two injury time goals earning them all three points.
In comparison, the Jets are languishing in 11th place following a 3-1 home defeat to Macarthur and despite opening the scoring in their last three games, have managed to win only one of them. Under 2.5 goals has held on in 5 of the last 6 meetings between these two teams with a team winning to nil in each of the last three.
The Jets last two wins have come away from home and they have maintained a clean sheet on both occasions. Taking the big odds for them to replicate that here.
The Wanderers are on the short turnaround following a trip to Perth and the Mariners will be looking to capitalise. Sydney was not a happy destination for the Mariners a week ago where they fell apart late in a 4-1 loss to Sydney FC. That loss ended an 8-game unbeaten run away from home, but several streaks remain alive.
They have scored at least once in 8 consecutive away games with both teams to score hitting in the last 7. It should rain goals in this one as the Wanderers have scored multiple goals in their last 5 home games with four of those games producing 5 or more total match goals.
With a single win across their last 5 games, Auckland have surrendered top spot. They have failed to score in their last two home games and now host the team that sits at the summit.
Melbourne City are undefeated in their last 7 (5 wins and 2 draws) and have maintained a clean sheet in each of their last three games – all wins. Under 2.5 goals is 5-0 in their last 5 and 4-2 in Auckland’s 6 home games so far this season.
These are the top two defensive teams in the A-League by a clear margin and I am expecting a technical battle rather than one where both teams are pushing numbers forward without concern of consequences. The way that City have been playing, a single goal could be enough for them to come away with the win.
Brisbane’s horror season continued last week in a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory and despite conceding only a single goal in 4 of their last 5 games, they lost all of them. In the meantime, Sydney FC won their third straight game at home and are suddenly withing touching distance of top spot.
The Roar have battled hard to keep teams to a single goal in many of their matches in the last month, but their defence will not be able to hold on much longer. Sydney FC have scored 3+ goals in their last 5 home games, and I am expecting that trend to continue here.
Just when it looked like Melbourne Victory would get their season back on track, they surrendered a 3-2 lead at home by conceding twice in the dying stages. Winless in their last five, they have watched numerous teams overtake them on the ladder in the last month including Adelaide.
The home side is coming off consecutive 2-1 wins with the winning goal coming in the last 15 minutes in both games. There have been 3 or more total match goals in 10 of the las 11 matches involving Adelaide with both teams scoring in all but two of those games. Expecting both teams to get on the scoresheet here in a high scoring contest.
Macarthur FC may want to put in a request to play all their games away from home. The 3-1 win over the Jets was their 4th consecutive win on the road but they haven’t given their loyal fans much to cheer about with 2 draws and 3 losses in their last 5 home fixtures.
This will be the third game in a 9-day span for the visitors which gives provides Macarthur with an excellent opportunity to improve their results at home. The Phoenix have struggled on the road having conceded 2 or more goals in their last three – all losses. This is a huge chance for the home side to close the gap at the top and I am predicting they will achieve that win a win by 2+ goals.