A-League Rd 16 betting tips & value picks – February 10-12, 2023

Round 16 of the A-League is headlined by a derby between Wanderers and Sydney FC, but there is plenty of other interest. League leaders Melbourne City face a tough road trip to Perth, and the Mariners will be keen to grab a much-needed win over the Roar when the sides line up at Kayo Stadium. Fourth-placed Adelaide will also be pressing for maximum points when they square up against the struggling Western United at AAMI Park.

Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners

Friday, February 10, 6:45pm AEST
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

After their humiliation in round 14, Brisbane ($2.80) bounced back with a much-improved effort against Adelaide at Coppers Stadium. After conceding in the 35th minute, the Roar equalised immediately in the 37th, only to let the game slip in the shadows of fulltime. They have struggled all campaign to score enough goals, but the solid Brisbane defence was again on display after the Newcastle nightmare. This type of back half commitment might be needed again against the league’s second-highest-scoring side.

The Mariners ($2.50) left round 15 empty handed after a brace from Jason Cummings was not enough to beat Sydney FC in a hard-fought contest at Allianz Stadium. The loss means they slide to third on the ladder after both City and the Wanderers emerged from the weekend with three points. Central Coast have had no issue finding the back of the net but defensive lapse have cost them dearly. They will face a less attacking threat in this matchup and an early goal or two should be enough to seal a much-needed victory.

Western United v Adelaide United

Saturday, February 11, 5pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne

Western United ($2.35) struggled to create chances against the organised Wanderers back half and were fortunate to only lose by a single goal. The loss see John Aloisi’s squad languish on second last position with the league’s worst goal difference. Their form since round 12 has been an improvement on their earlier woes with a win, two draws and a loss to show for their efforts. Remarkably, Western United have scored in all but two of their games this season, including two goals versus Adelaide in round five.

Adelaide ($2.70) got the job done at Coopers Stadium versus the Roar and will be looking to build on a recent run of good form. Coach Carl Veart admitted his side “rode their luck” against a determined Brisbane side that stifles free-flowing play with big numbers behind the ball. Adelaide have dropped a single match since round 10 and now sit fourth on the ladder, a single point behind second-placed Wanderers. This should motivate Adelaide to push for all three points on this road trip.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC

Saturday, February 11, 7:45pm AEDT
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

Wanderers ($2.75) are like a racehorse that never wins by more than a long neck. They consistently do just enough to get over the line and sit in second spot despite scoring just 17 goals in the season to date. By contrast, Melbourne City have scored 33, and the Mariners have slotted home 31. Coach Marko Rudan was pleased by the performance in round 15 and said of this coming fixture, “We go into next week’s derby full of confidence, we’re at home with a great resolve about us.”

After a very patchy campaign thus far, Sydney FC ($2.50) have finally strung together successive wins and bounded up the ladder into sixth place. They won a five-goal classic against the Mariners in round 15 in what might be a turning point in their season. Adam Le Fondre was the star of the show scoring the first and third goals to get the Blues home. Coach Steve Corica was understandably bullish and said of the effort, “We’ve got some good quality players and I think the belief and confidence are back.” This game promises to be a must-watch spectacle.

Perth Glory v Melbourne City

Saturday, February 11, 7:30pm AWST
Macedonia Park, Perth

Perth ($4.75) played an entertaining 2-2 draw against the rejuvenated Jets in round 15 and remain unbeaten in their last six fixtures. This burst of good form has yielded 12 goals and lifts the Glory to seventh position, trailing the third placed Mariners by just four points. If they can knock off the ladder leaders here the Glory will get a huge boost in confidence as the season enters the business end.

Melbourne City ($1.70) returned to their rampaging best against the hapless Macarthur Fc in round 15, slotting home six goals to one. Perennial goal sneak Jamie Maclaren opened and closed the scoring, with Richard van der Venne landing a hat-trick and Andrew Nabbout rounding out the lopsided scoresheet. City comfortably beat the Glory 4-0 in round five at AAMI Park, but this game promises to be a much more competitive affair. We can expect free-flowing A-League football in front of a loud and partisan crowd of WA fans buoyed by plenty of shots at goal.

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory

Sunday, February 12, 3pm AEDT
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

After an early portion of the season plagued by inconsistency, the Jets ($2.90) have shown vast improvement in the last four rounds. They have scored eight goals during this unbeaten run and grabbed six premiership points, lifting them to a more respectable eighth position. Newcastle had no answers when these sides met in round five, going down 4-0, but back on home turf, and with some confidence behind them, the Arthur Papas led squad should be significantly improved for this return fixture.

After a horror winless run of six games, the Victory ($2.30) finally found some form in round 15 with a tidy 3-1 win at home over the Phoenix at AAMI Park. Wellington struck in the 13th minute and home fans had that familiar sinking feeling, but to their credit, Victory steadied the ship and hauled themselves to a much needed win. They remain at the foot of the table but with hope of advancing beyond some of the league’s strugglers.

Macarthur FC v Wellington Phoenix

Sunday, February 12, 5pm AEDT
Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown

After being humbled at AAMI Park, Macarthur ($2.75) will be hoping to bounce back on home turf with a more credible performance. Coaching instability has obviously harmed the squad’s confidence, who have endured a winless month of football. Macarthur last tasted victory in round 11 when they prevailed 2-0 over the Jets. New coach Mile Sterjovski will need to sure up his struggling defence if they hope to contain a side that is averaging 1.6 goals per game this season.

The Phoenix ($2.45) are the A-League’s over-achievers after 15 rounds. They sit fifth on the ladder and have kicked 25 goals, third to Central Coast and Melbourne City. The big revelation has been Wellington’s away form, which has let them down in past seasons. Their record on the road stands at two wins, two draws, and two losses, an impressive return. Based on recent form we can expect them to press hard for goals and maximum premiership points from this matchup.

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