A-League Rd 7 betting tips & best odds – December 9-11, 2022

The A-League returns with another round of home-grown football action following a break for the FIFA World Cup. Round seven features must-win games for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, who have both underwhelmed in early-season action and need to start finding some consistency. Read on for our full analysis of this week’s A-League games.

Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United

Friday, December 9 — 6:45pm AEST
Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Brisbane have made a slow start to the season chalking up one solitary win, three draws, and one loss in early going. They have struggled to mount attacking pressure with a total of just four goals from over 450 minutes of play. The Roar have looked solid at the back but have lacked urgency and fluidity in transitioning from their defensive half. English import Charlie Austin looks the man most likely to kick start some attacking momentum and Brisbane will be counting on him to deliver some much-needed shots on target.

Adelaide has enjoyed a more productive season thus far and currently sit third on the ladder. In contrast to the stuttering Roar, Adelaide has poured in 12 goals to date, ranking them equal second in the scoring department. This attacking mindset has seen them concede eight at the other end, but soccer fans are not impressed by safe 0-0 scorelines. Although Adelaide are on the road here we are very keen on their chances at nice odds.

Wellington Phoenix vs Western Sydney Wanderers

Saturday, December 10 — 5pm AEDT
WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Not much was expected from the Phoenix going into the season, but they have played some lively football, scoring 12 goals and recording one win, three draws, and two losses after six rounds. The win was a thumping 4-1 result over Macarthur is round four, and Ufuk Talay’s charges will be looking to replicate that type of output in front of their home fans here.

Western Sydney have played tight yet winning football in the opening six rounds, parlaying six goals into four wins, one draw, and one loss. The loss was a woeful 0-3 result against the Mariners, but the Wanderers looked very accomplished in 1-0 victories over Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. It’s hard to split these sides and betting markets reflect this sentiment. Despite Wellington’s often leaky defence, we are expecting this to be a low-scoring affair and are tipping the unders on the total goals market.

Sydney FC vs Melbourne City

Saturday December 10 — 7:45pm AEDT
Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Sydney currently sit in sixth position on the ladder with two wins, one draw, and three losses courtesy of some lacklustre defending. The Sydney back half has conceded 12 goals in six rounds, and this deficiency will need to be addressed if the side is to press for finals action. The worst of the losses was a 3-1 away drubbing at the hands of Brisbane in round five, and the sky blues might have another tough evening against the high-flying City squad.

Melbourne City sit alone at the top of the ladder at this stage and are yet to taste defeat. They have looked impressive across the park, slotting 14 goals while conceding a mere four. Such numbers can only be achieved via midfield dominance and great coaching, and Patrick Kisnorbo has found the key to extracting the most from his assembled talent. Young midfielder Marco Tilio has looked assured over the ball and landed two goals from his central position. We expect City to have too many guns for Sydney here.

Perth Glory vs Western United

Saturday, December 10 — 7:30pm AWST
Macedonia Park, Perth

Perth are the A-League’s current easy-beats with just a solitary win and four losses from their opening games. The Glory have mustered a mere four goals thus far, while conceding a disappointing 10. Their cause has not been helped by an exhausting stint on the road, but they get back on WA soil for this fixture. Perth’s sole victory was a surprise 1-2 away result over Central Coast, but the Glory were thrashed 4-0 by Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park during their most recent outing which may have hit their confidence levels.

Western United have endured a dismal opening six games recording one win, one draw, and four losses. They possess the league’s most porous defence, having conceded 16 goals including four to both Adelaide and Central Coast. John Aloisi will be nervously looking over his shoulder unless he can get his squad back into competitive shape. Another loss will see them slip to the foot of the ladder. This might be a sloppy, mistake ridden goal fest, so we are looking at the overs on the total score market.

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets

Sunday, December 11 — 3pm AEDT
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

The Mariners have been hot and cold in their opening five matches, registering two big wins over Western United and the Wanderers, losses to Perth and Macarthur, and a draw to Wellington. This inconsistency makes them an unreliable betting proposition, but internal confidence remains high among the young squad. Samuel Silvera has looked good up front, scoring with both feet, and might prove the difference in this derby.

Newcastle started their season brightly with home wins over Perth and Wellington but have slumped to three straight losses since. Two of the losses were on the road, suggesting they feel much more comfortable on home turf. Their last outing was an encouraging, hard-fought 1-2 loss to the Victory, so there are signs the Jets may be emerging from their slump. That said, betting markets are very keen on the Mariners here, and we are prepared to follow that lead.

Macarthur FC vs Melbourne Victory

Sunday, December 11 — 5pm AEDT
Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown

Macarthur have been reasonably solid for new coach Dwight Yorke this season, chalking up two wins, two losses, and two draws. The condensed nature of the ladder means this output sees them sitting fourth. Their last appearance was a pleasing 2-3 away win over the Mariners, after they were surprisingly thumped 4-1 in Wellington. If Macarthur can improve on the speed of their ball movement in counterattack, they might give the Victory a surprise here.

Melbourne Victory have been disappointing in their opening matches with two wins, one draw, and three losses to show for their efforts. They have struggled to find the back of the net with just seven shots hitting their target. The Victory looked like world beaters in round five, smashing Newcastle 4-0 after being held goalless for three straight games, but faltered in round six, losing 3-0 away to Adelaide. It is hard to get enthused about their prospects at this stage, and we are leaning toward their opponents for this fixture.

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