A-League Round 9 betting tips, best odds & top value bets

The A-League rolls on through the festive period, and the Australian football community will be hoping round nine can deliver the right type of headlines. This week’s schedule is highlighted by a vital mid-table clash between Macarthur FC and Sydney FC on Christmas Eve.

Brisbane Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers

Friday, December 23 — 6:45pm AEST
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

After a big win over Sydney FC in round six and a credible 1-1 draw against Adelaide in round seven, the Brisbane Roar ($2.37) kept on their upward trajectory with an away win over the Jets in round eight. This burst of good form has seen them climb to seventh on the ladder despite scoring a mere six goals from the season’s opening eight rounds. With hometown advantage in their favour, they are slight favourites to knock off the higher-placed Wanderers.

After conceding a goal within five minutes to Western United in round eight, Western Sydney Wanderers ($2.87) offered little threat for the remainder of the match. Despite the slip-up, they remain second on the ladder after Adelaide were also beaten in a round of upsets. Their struggle to create goalscoring opportunities has been masked by the competition’s second-tightest defence, but they will need to improve this stat if they hope to hold onto a spot at the top of the table.

Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix

Friday, December 23 — 7:30pm AWST
Macedonia Park, Perth

After a home win in round seven, the Perth Glory ($2.75) were back on the road in round eight and gave a solid account in a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Macarthur FC. This encouraging effort will give them confidence heading back to Macedonia Park in what might be a high-scoring affair. While the Glory currently sit at the bottom of the ladder, we expect them to climb above the wooden-spoon position as the season unfolds.

The Wellington Phoenix ($2.37) continued their free-scoring ways in round eight, slotting three goals against a hapless Adelaide side. Oscar Zawada got the party started in the second minute of the game, and Bozhidar Kraev and Yan Sasse rounded out the romp. The success of this international trio points to some canny recruitment by Phoenix administrators, who have assembled the league’s highest-scoring squad at this point of the season.

Sydney FC vs Macarthur FC

Saturday, December 24 — 5pm AEDT
Allianz Stadium, Sydney

After neatly knocking over Melbourne City in round seven, it appeared that Sydney FC ($1.53) might have turned a corner. They were unable to replicate this effort and were overrun by the Mariners in round eight after going ahead in the 11th minute. A three-minute defensive lapse from the 36-minute mark was enough for the Central Coast to pour in two quick goals and seal the deal. Such lapses have cost Sydney dearly this season, and they languish in ninth spot having conceded 15 goals.

Macarthur FC ($5) eked out a narrow 1-0 win over the Glory in round eight to hold onto their top-four position. With 10 goals scored and 11 conceded this season, they hold the worst goal differential of any team in the top eight. These numbers are skewed slightly by a 4-1 loss to Wellington, but a negative goal differential is rarely sufficient to play finals in any football league.

Western United vs Melbourne Victory

Monday, December 26 — 6pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne

Western United ($3.20) sprung one of the upsets of round eight when they toppled second-placed Wanderers to drag themselves from the foot of the ladder. The pleasing take-away from the match was a clean sheet given the defensive frailties that have been exposed by the Mariners and Adelaide, who both scored four against the struggling Western outfit. This game will serve as another test against a highly ranked opponent.

It is impossible to guess the Melbourne Victory ($2.10) mindset following the chaos of round eight that led to the abandonment of their derby clash. Their efforts prior the pitch invasion have been disappointing, and they sit eighth with a possible points deductions yet to be imposed. The Victory have been lacking in attacking firepower, with just eight goals in the bag at this stage of the season, but this looks a good chance for them to find their shooting boots.

Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners

Tuesday, December 27 — 5pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne

Despite not getting a kick in round eight, Melbourne City ($1.61) still top the A-League ladder with five wins, one draw, and one loss. Their goal differential of +9 is far superior to their rivals, with Central Coast being the second-ranked team on this stat with +3. If this form holds, City should have too many guns for the Mariners.

We will know more after their match with the Jets on Wednesday, but even with a win in Gosford, the Central Coast Mariners ($5) are still expected to be a class below City. They have registered a single away win this season, albeit a 0-3 thumping of Wanderers. Their defence may be stretched by the City attack, which is averaging more than two goals per game.

Adelaide United vs Newcastle Jets

Tuesday, December 27 — 7:15pm ACDT
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

Adelaide United ($2) will be happy to return to home soil after a tough day in the office against the Phoenix in round eight. Despite the loss, they hold onto third spot based on their high scoring rate. Their defence has been found wanting on occasion, as highlighted by the trip to Wellington where they conceded three goals. The Adelaide cause was not helped by a red card to firebrand Ben Halloran in the 51st minute.

The Newcastle Jets ($3) have not played their best football on the road this season, incurring big away defeats to Wanderers and the Victory. They will need to lift in that department if they hope to trouble Adelaide. Newcastle’s 10th position on the ladder can also be attributed to a leaky defence, having conceded 12 goals in their opening seven matches.

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