Best bets and value odds for A-League Week 6 punting

November 12, 2015 4:05 am.by Michael Maguire

A-League

While the rest of the world’s domestic football competitions take a breather over the international break, it’s business as usual in the Hyundai A-League.

And with a local derby and two Melbourne vs. Sydney clashes on the roster, round six is shaping up as a belter.

Without further ado, then, here are our top picks and value bets for all five games on matchday six of A-League 2015-16.

Wellington Phoenix vs. Adelaide United

7:30pm local time on Friday, November 13, 2015 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Phoenix – $2.42 (WilliamHill.com)
United – $2.87 (Bet365.com)
Draw – $3.50 (Sportsbet.com)

Adelaide United head to New Zealand desperate for a win, having managed just two points from their five A-League matches to date. The home side sits seventh, but a victory on Friday could launch them into the top half if other results fall their way. It’s a big away trip from South Australia, especially for an out-of-form United, so we’re tipping the Phoenix at home.

Top picks:

– Wellington to win ($2.42 at William Hill)
– Wellington clean sheet ($3.10 at CrownBet)
– Roy Krishna to score first goal ($6.50 at Sportsbet)

Melbourne City vs. Western Sydney Wanderers

7:40pm local time on Friday, November 13, 2015 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

City – $2.30 (CrownBet.com)
Wanderers – $3.00 (Sportsbet.com)
Draw – $3.50 (WilliamHill.com)

Melbourne City will have to make do without in-form Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy, who scored one and created another in the 4-2 win at Adelaide United last Thursday. That result put them up to fifth, where they sit ahead of sixth-placed Western Sydney on goal difference. City lead the scoring charts with 12 goals in five games, and we think they should have enough firepower to see of the far-less-prolific Wanderers (five goals).

Top picks:

– Melbourne City to win ($2.30 at CrownBet)
– Correct score 2-1 City ($9 at William Hill)
– Bruno Fornaroli to score the first goal ($6 at Sportsbet)

Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners

5:15pm local time on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Jets – $2.30 (CrownBet.com)
Mariners – $3.35 (WilliamHill.com)
Draw – $3.60 (WilliamHill.com)

Newcastle have a poor record in the F3 derby of late, with no wins in their last eight clashes against Central Coast. They’ve made a good start to the season, though, and are only two points off the top after five rounds. The Mariners, by contrast, are sitting two points from bottom after last week’s 3-1 loss to Sydney FC. We like the Jets to shake off their recent defeat to Wanderers with a long-overdue derby win.

Top picks:

– Newcastle to win ($2.30 at CrownBet)
– Under 2.5 goals ($2.05 at CrownBet)
– Leonardo to score first goal ($9.50 at Sportsbet)

Sydney FC vs. Melbourne Victory

7:30pm local time on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Sydney – $2.80 (CrownBet.com)
Victory – $2.65 (WilliamHill.com)
Draw – $3.50 (Sportsbet.com)

Even though they’re top of the table, undefeated and playing at home, Sydney FC are the bookies’ outsiders for the 36th edition of the Big Blue. That’s probably because they haven’t won in any of their last six clashes with the Victory, who triumphed 3-0 when these teams met in the 2014-15 A-League Grand Final. Both sides have been hit hard by the international break, with a combined six players away on Olyroos duty. Nearly half of these fixtures have ended in draws, including four of the last six, and we’re backing another one.

Top picks:

– Match to end in a draw ($3.50 at Sportsbet)
– Correct score 1-1 ($7.50 at William Hill)
– Besart Berisha to score first goal ($5.50 at Sportsbet)

Brisbane Roar vs. Perth Glory

4:00pm local time on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Roar – $1.70 (Sportsbet.com)
Glory – $5 (Bet365.com)
Draw – $3.85 (CrownBet.com)

The final match of round five is probably the easiest to tip. The bookies are heavily fancying Brisbane, who have won three of their first five games and sit second on the A-League ladder. Perth are second from bottom, although they have played one game fewer than most of the competition. Nevertheless, the Glory’s only win to date came against cellar-dwellers Adelaide, so the free-scoring Roar – who have 10 goals from five games – look like good value for their firm price here.

Top picks:

– Brisbane to win ($1.70 at Sportsbet)
– Brisbane to lead at half-time and full-time ($2.63 at Sportsbet)
– Brandon Borrello to score first goal ($7.50 at Sportsbet)