A-League betting odds, specials & multi tips – Round 6

CAN anybody catch Sydney FC?

Not this week, as the Sky Blues are five points clear atop the A-League 2016-17 table with five wins from five.

It’s early days yet in the title race, however, and a slip against Perth Glory this weekend would bring the rest of the comp right back into it.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best A-League odds and value bets for round six at Australia’s top soccer betting sites.

A-League match betting – round six

Melbourne City $1.40 – Draw $5 – Newcastle Jets $7

Adelaide United $2.45 – Draw $3.50 – Brisbane Roar $2.75

Central Coast $2.40 – Draw $3.60 – Wellington Phoenix $2.70

Melbourne Victory $2.05 – Draw $3.60 – Western Sydney $3.40

Sydney FC $1.70 – Draw $3.90 – Perth Glory – $4.75

All odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au

Melbourne City vs. Newcastle Jets

7:50pm AEDT on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at AAMI Park

– Melbourne City 2-1 correct score ($8.50 at William Hill)
– Bruno Fornaroli first goalscorer ($4.25 at William Hill)

City’s inconsistency is starting to become a concern. Though they have beaten Melbourne Victory twice this season, they have come undone when faced with potential title threats such as Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar. Their plight won’t be helped by the absence of key midfielder Luke Brattan, who has joined the Socceroos squad for the World Cup Qualifier against Thailand.

Newcastle started the season brightly but have drifted down the ladder after back-to-back defeats against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. What will worry Jets boss Mark Jones most is his side’s apparent inability to play out of defence with any authority. Perhaps Labinot Haliti and Ma Leilei, both promoted to the senior squad this week, can provide an injection of creativity and vigour.

Adelaide United vs. Brisbane Roar

7:50pm AEDT (7:20pm local) on Saturday, November 11, 2016 at Coopers Stadium

– Draw half-time/Adelaide full-time ($6.50 at William Hill)
– Marcelo Carrusca first goalscorer ($12 at Sportsbet)

There’s a hint of deja vu about Adelaide’s season so far. Winless after eight weeks before charging home to clinch the double last term, the Reds have captured only a single point in the opening five rounds of their title defence. Gui Amor’s men have hardly embarrassed themselves, however, and the return of James Holland from injury should improve the Adelaide midfield.

The Roar have climbed to second on the ladder without really setting the world alight. The question this week is whether they can cover the goal threat of Jamie Maclaren, who is away on Socceroos duty. That should mean a start for Brandon Borrello, although Brisbane coach John Aloisi could opt to push someone like Brett Holman into a ‘false nine’ role instead.

Central Coast Mariners vs. Wellington Phoenix

5:35pm AEDT on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Canberra Stadium

– Mariners win/both teams score ($3.90 at CrownBet)
– Fabio Ferreira first goalscorer ($8.50 at William Hill)

The Mariners notched their first win of the season last week with a 2-1 result against reigning champs Adelaide. That leaves the preseason favourites for the wooden spoon only one game outside the top four. Coach Paul Okon said this week that Central Coast’s front four was “as good as any in the A-League” and promised plenty of attacking flair in Canberra, where they will play two home matches this season.

CCM could hardly have picked a better time to face the Phoenix, who are missing five regular starters due to the international break. Kosta Barbarouses, Andrew Durante, Louis Fenton, Michael McGlinchey and goalkeeper Glen Moss are all away with the New Zealand national team, so Wellington boss Ernie Merrick has to figure out how to cover gaping holes on every line. That and four losses from five don’t bode well for the Kiwis.

Melbourne Victory vs. Western Sydney Wanderers

7:50pm AEDT on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Etihad Stadium

– Victory win/under 2.5 goals ($5.20 at CrownBet)
– Besart Berisha first goalscorer ($5.50 at Sportsbet)

Two wins, two defeats and a draw isn’t exactly the kind of start you would expect from the A-League title favourites, but that’s what Melbourne Victory have served up so far. Having hit Wellington for six, they were brought crashing back to earth last week as Sydney FC ran out 2-1 winners in an eventful Big Blue. The Victory news feed is clogged with talk of a marquee move for Steven Gerrard, but for now they will have to make do with the return of skipper Carl Valeri from injury.

Wanderers are unbeaten since their round one thumping in the Sydney derby, but nor have they registered a win in their last three. Brendon Santalab has drawn plenty of criticism after another reckless tackle late in the draw with Perth Glory, but the in-form WSW striker has vowed that he won’t water down his all-action approach. It could be an interesting evening.

Sydney FC vs. Perth Glory

5pm AEDT on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Allianz Stadium

– Sydney FC to win both halves ($4.50 at Sportsbet)
– Milos Ninkovic first goalscorer ($11 at Sportsbet)

It may be a little too early to call them champions elect, but the Sky Blues could hardly have enjoyed a better start to the 2016-17 A-League season. The win over the Victory was a big response to those who might say Graham Arnold’s men hadn’t beaten any real contenders yet, although some would argue they were a little lucky to get the result. Michael Zullo was cleared of any serious injury after a nasty collision with the fourth referee’s table and should be available.

The Glory have lost only once this season and should fancy the likes of Rhys Williams and Rostyn Griffiths to ruffle a few feathers in the middle of the park. They must be especially wary of Milos Ninkovic, who has two goals and two assists from the Sydney FC midfield, but they will hope their own Serbian star, Nebojsa Marinkovic, can cause plenty of problems going the other way.