A-League Round 13 tips, odds & value bets – January 20-22

After a weekend of football dominated by draws, round 13 of the A-League should contain a wealth of attacking action that delivers more decisive outcomes. All eyes will be on the unstoppable Mariners when they travel to Wellington, and then Wanderers, who visit Newcastle and cannot afford to sleep on their top-three position.

Adelaide United vs Macarthur FC

Friday, January 20 — 7:15pm ACDT
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

After hitting the front in the seventh minute against Melbourne Victory in round 12, Adelaide United ($1.95) let the win slip through their grasp when they conceded in 49th. The game was a spiteful affair and United were issued five yellow cards as tempers frayed across a warm evening. The draw leaves them sixth on the ladder, a mere three points adrift the third-placed Wanderers and with plenty to play for at this stage of the season.

Macarthur FC ($3.60) were found wanting against the high-flying Mariners in round 12, dropping two goals within 26 minutes. Some respectability was added to the scoreline when Matthew Millar found the net in the second half, but the result was rarely in doubt. Macarthur face an equally stern test on the road here and might be satisfied to emerge with a point from the long trip south.

Western United vs Sydney FC

Saturday, January 21 — 5pm AEDT
North Hobart Oval, Hobart

After a flurry of early activity, Western United ($2.80) played out a dull 1-1 draw with Newcastle in round 12. John Aloisi’s young team remains rooted to second-last spot on the ladder and this game presents an opportunity to punish some fellow strugglers from across town. United are still blighted by the competition’s weakest defence, having conceded 24 goals at a disastrous rate of two per game. They look a different side when the scoreline is intact, suggesting most of their problems are psychological in nature.

Sydney FC ($2.45) had the premiership points in the bag against Perth in round 12 until the Glory found an equaliser in the 12th minute of stoppage time. Scorching weather conditions meant for a slow and laboured evening’s football. The draw leaves Sydney stranded on 14 points and in a perilous eighth position. This poor ladder showing is also a result of defensive frailties, and this game might descend into a ragged and disorganised goal-fest.

Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne City

Saturday, January 21 — 6:45pm AEST
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Brisbane Roar ($3.90) looked flat-footed and impotent against Wellington in round 12, and it is hard to imagine they can find the improvement needed to trouble the league leaders here. Shots on target were hard to come by, but the Roar looked solid enough at the back and boast one of the competition’s tightest defensive structures. Containment rather than attack might be the agenda when Warren Moon delivers the pre-game instructions to his charges.

Melbourne City ($1.95) played a fierce and tactical battle against Wanderers in round 12 and will learn from the 1-1 result. Two of the A-League’s best 2023 sides fought long and hard for midfield dominance, and 90 minutes was not long enough to settle the argument. The draw means that the surging Central Coast are now within touching distance of City’s top ladder spot. We can therefore expect City to be sufficiently motivated to grab the spoils in this clash.

Perth Glory vs Melbourne Victory

Saturday, January 21 — 7:30pm AWST
Macedonia Park, Perth

Perth Glory ($3.15) escaped with a home 2-2 draw in round 12 and will be confident of another bold showing here. They remain undefeated at Macedonia Park this season with three wins and two draws on home soil. The Glory have now strung three strong performances together and appear on track to climb toward the middle of the ladder. Their goals notably occur very late in proceedings, in either half, which appears a coaching ploy rather than mere coincidence.

After a disastrous run of fortune on and off the pitch, Melbourne Victory ($2.30) salvaged a point from their clash with Adelaide in round 12, which might help steady the ship slightly. They are nearing the end of a string of away games, having played only twice at AAMI Park since round seven, and travel fatigue may play a role late in this encounter. The Victory languish in the wooden spoon position but are capable of rebounding quickly if they can land a couple of confidence-boosting wins.

Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners

Sunday, January 22 — 3pm NZDT
CommBank Stadium, Wellington

Wellington Phoenix ($2.50) have battle gainfully since round seven, posting wins over the Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane, and securing draws with Wanderers and the Glory. Their only loss during this sequence was to Melbourne City. There is little difference between their form at home and away, suggesting a strong culture of resilience has been instilled within the squad. The Phoenix face a stern test here, but we should underestimate them at our peril.

The Central Coast Mariners ($2.62) are running hot, landing another win in round 12 and adding real interest to the top of the ladder. A brace of first-half goals was enough to see off Macarthur, and the Mariners will continue to press their premiership aspirations here. They are the competition’s most prolific side, with 26 goals at this stage of the season. Of note has been their ability to score via quick ball movement out of the back half. This game promises to be a high-octane display of attacking football.

Newcastle Jets vs Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday, January 22 — 3pm AEDT
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

After a run of 11 drawless games, the Newcastle Jets ($2.80) finally landed the elusive lone premiership point in round 12. Newcastle have struggled for attacking fluidity all season, having only troubled the scorer on 10 occasions to date. This game shapes as a dour affair unless Arthur Pappas’ squad can miraculously discover their scoring boots. Daniel Stynes has shown glimpses of brilliance, but an inability to build consistent pressure for long periods has been the team’s undoing.

Western Sydney Wanderers ($2.45) went toe-to-toe with the high-flying Melbourne City in round 12 and emerged with their honour intact. Their defence appeared resolute throughout, keeping danger man Jamie Maclaren scoreless, and the team was in no way intimidated by the challenge. Wanderers will, however, need to address their low scoring percentage if they hope to contend with the surging Mariners, who recently leapfrogged them into second place them on the ladder. This soft matchup provides the opportunity to secure three vital premiership points.

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