Two plays four here with plenty on the line for both teams. Auckland FC are gunning for the Premiers Plate, while the Victory, despite being in the top six, aren’t guaranteed a playoff spot.
Auckland, fresh off their 1-1 draw with Adelaide, will still have some PTSD from last time the Melbourne side visited… yes, that semi-final second leg…
The Black Knights scraped a point last week, but it was Melbourne who couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity, going down 1-0 at home to the Nix. Their first loss since February.
Auckland FC will be keen to not only rewrite their home history against the Victory but also make amends for their last outing at home, a loss to Macarthur.
It’s been the strikers that have done the damage to Melbourne, and Sam Cosgrove is in fine form and won the club’s player of the month for March.
I’d expect Cosgrove to be right in the action and lead his side to a much-needed win in front of home fans. He could bag the lone goal of the game too, with this fixture always being tightly contested.
Best: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $2.10
Value: Auckland FC or Draw & Under 1.5 Total Goals @ $5.50
Goalscorer: Sam Cosgrove (First, $6.00, Anytime, $2.63)
Chris Greenacre’s Phoenix side will be hoping for a copy and paste job this weekend after their 1–0 win against Melbourne Victory last week.
Same pitch, same time, different Melbourne team.
There’s a glimmer of hope in the Wellington camp at the moment, and a win could propel them into sixth place if Macarthur do not pick up any points away to Perth.
They have won three on the bounce, and for me, the difference is they are not leaking soft goals. Two clean sheets in their last three have helped hugely in their playoff push.
“Defence wins championships” could not be any truer in Wellington Phoenix’s case. They have got the quality up front and a newfound confidence that they can score goals, but can they keep the ball out of their own net?
It is always hard backing the Nix to win, but I think they have what it takes to grind out another tough result in Melbourne.
The double chance market looks a decent option, as does the under 2.5 total goals.
Best: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $2.10
Value: Wellington Phoenix To Keep a Clean Sheet @ $5.50
Goalscorer: Corbin Piper (First $12.00, Anytime $4.80)
- Auckland FC to Win @ $2.10
- Newcastle vs Adelaide Under 4.5 Goals @ $1.44
- Wellington Phoenix to Win @ $4.75
- Perth Glory to Win @ $3.10
Remember to use Multi Rescue, so if your bet loses by one leg, you’ll get your stake back as Bonus Cash up to $50.