A-League Rd 21 betting tips, top odds & best value bets

Round 21 of the A-League is headlined by a clash between cross-town rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium. Bragging rights will be on the line, but the teams are also only separated by four premiership points as the season nears the business end. The surging Adelaide United kick off the round when they host fifth-placed Wellington Phoenix in another six-point game between likely finals contenders.

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix

Friday, March 17 — 7:45pm AEDT
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

Adelaide ($2.05) emerged from their trip to Newcastle with all three points after pouring in four goals against the listless Jets. Following the win Adelaide now sit outright second on the ladder with a three-point buffer to a chasing pack. United are now unbeaten in their last nine appearances and looking in ominous form. They will be very tough to beat back at Coopers Stadium.

Wellington ($3.40) edged out Sydney FC in round 20 with a tidy 1-0 win at Eden Park. A first-half strike from the prolific Oskar Zawada was enough to keep their solid home record intact. The Phoenix have been less reliable on the road but have knocked over Sydney and Brisbane away this season. Wellington had too much firepower when these sides met in round eight at Sky Stadium, so they will not be over-awed by this tough assignment.

Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Saturday, March 18 — 5pm AEDT
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle ($2.30) went down swinging against Adelaide, but the loss was their third in succession and they will be keen to get back in the winners’ list. A finals berth is still not entirely out of reach, but there will be no room for slip-ups. These sides have met twice this campaign resulting in a 2-1 Newcastle win in round two and a 2-2 draw in round 15.

Perth ($3.05) ground out a pleasing 1-0 win over Wanderers in round 20 at HBF Park to repay their loyal home fans. The Glory were reduced to 10 men in the second minute of the game when Jordan Elsey saw red, adding merit to their performance. Scores were locked until deep into injury time when Aaron McEneff produced a 96th-minute miracle.

Brisbane Roar v Western United

Saturday, March 18 — 5pm AEDT
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Brisbane ($2.25) forced Melbourne City to produce their best football in round 20 after a courageous display by the visitors. Scores were locked at 1-1 until the 88th minute when Aiden O’Neill found his second goal to break the stalemate. The Roar have a tenacity that keeps them in games when it they are expected to struggle, and few punters gave them any chance heading to AAMI Park. The close finish should set them up well for this more favourable matchup.

Western United ($3.10) proved the naysayers wrong when they travelled to Melbourne and knocked over the Victory. This was the third win on the trot for United, who have dragged themselves off the foot of the ladder to now sit in seventh spot. The three games have netted seven goals with Noah Botic hitting his straps deep into the season.

Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday, March 18 — 7:45pm AEDT
Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Sydney ($1.95) were unable to break down the Phoenix wall in round 20 despite enjoying a numerical advantage for 32 minutes and creating some solid chances. The loss leaves them in a crowded section of the ladder with four teams snapping at their heels. They will have it all to play for in front of a huge partisan crowd at Allianz, and the occasion should be motivation enough to throw everything at their derby rivals.

Wanderers ($2.95) let the points slip when they travelled to WA and failed to continue their goalscoring run. They looked to have secured a point for their efforts, but a last-gasp goal the other way sent them back empty handed. Wanderers now sit fourth in a tight tussle with Wellington and the Central Coast for ladder position. Honours are shared between these sides with a pair of 1-0 results this season.

Macarthur FC v Melbourne City

Sunday, March 19 — 3pm AEDT
Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown

Macarthur’s ($5) topsy-turvy form shows no signs of abating. After raising a strong effort to beat the Roar in round 19, they were completely dismantled by the Mariners in round 20. The 4-1 scoreline was an accurate reflection of the action, as the visitors had no answers after an early surprise goal put them ahead. The Mariners took control from the 30th minute and ran amok while Macarthur were relegated to spectator status.

Melbourne City ($1.62) held onto top spot with a workmanlike effort over the hard-working Roar as their talisman, Jamie Maclaren, had a quiet afternoon in front of goal. They still enjoy a six-point break over second-placed Adelaide and a further three points to the next bunch of chasers. City might have a flat spot after two sub-standard efforts and might be vulnerable while it continues.

Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners

Sunday, March 19 — 5pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne

The Victory’s ($2.25) woes continued when they disappointed their home fans with a limp performance against Western United. They will again have the benefit of home soil, but the Mariners appear a tougher test. The Victory began the season as equal favourites to win the premiership, but a miserable campaign sees them alone at the bottom of the pile. Their best football, when it emerges, is good enough to beat anyone, but internal issues have cruelled their hopes of a successful campaign.

After a tough trip to CommBank Stadium, the real Mariners ($3) returned with a devastating performance against a hapless Macarthur. Central Coast average exactly two goals per game this season, which makes them a headache for defending sides. These sides met in round 10, when the Mariners prevailed 2-1 at Industree Stadium, and the Central Coast look like good value for this contest.

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