A-League Melbourne Victory vs. Newcastle Jets punting tips

Saturday, November 26, 2016, 5.35pm AEDT, AAMI Park, watch on Fox Sports.

IF you looked at this one as an outsider, you would tip Melbourne Victory to absolutely crush Newcastle in their A-League clash on the weekend.

And that may very well happen in a battle of the haves and the have nots.

But it might not be the walk in the park every one is thinking.

Of course, Victory have home field advantage on their side, and the Jets have not won a game in their past five, but they outsiders are still doing enough to keep pace with the top six.

Only three points and two spots separate these two sides in the standings, with Victory yet to consistently find a formula that produces the dominance many expected when they signed attacking superstars Marco Rojas and James Troisi in the off season.

We’re not sure if it is an advantage or a hindrance, but the Victory have not played a competitive game in nearly two weeks, after their match against the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night was cancelled.

Phoenix’s stadium was damaged by last week’s huge earthquakes in New Zealand and the FFA made the decision to postpone the scheduled game.

The extra week’s rest could be a blessing for the Victory, giving the players a break and allowing them to rest niggling injuries. But they will hope it won’t also cause some lethargy against he Jets.

They will want to keep their competitive edge after disposing of the Western Sydney Wanderers last time out, 3-0.

Goals from Oliver Bozanic, Jamie Ingham and new man Maxi Beister gave the Victory an easy win.

Despite lowly Central Coast being reduced to 10 men in their weekend clash with the Jets, Newcastle could only manage a 1-1 draw, leaving coach Mark Jones calling for more consistency and fitness from his attackers.

He expects more out of stars Morten Nordstrand – who scored the team’s goal – and Andrew Nabbout.

“He’s (Nordstrand) just lacking a bit of confidence at the moment,” Jones said.

“He had an injury at the start of the year, so he’s just getting game fitness.

“He’s getting better, but I think he’s trying to make his way through the game.

“He holds himself back a little bit.

“He needs to give 100 per cent from the start. He holds himself then come second half, he run out the game quite well.”

“Nabbout run out of legs at the end again which is a little disappointing.

“He needs to be able to play 90 minutes.”

First goal scorer tips

Melbourne Victory:

Besart Berisha ($4.50 with Sportsbet.com.au)

He might have problems with his application to become a recognised Australian player for the Victory and perhaps isn’t the player he once was, but there is no doubt Besart Berisha is still one of the most dangerous attacking forces in the entire A-League. Is the club’s joint leader with four goals and will be hoping to add to his tally against the Jets.

Alan Baro ($26 with Sportsbet.com.au)

There are a mountain of attacking options on the Victory list. From Berisha to Troisi, to Rojas, Mitch Austin and every one in between, any one can bob up on any given night and score a goal. And that’s why there is some serious value in Alan Baro. The Spanish signing is not a noted goal scorer, but has produced several notable runs out of defence and you feel like he has the class to cause trouble in the A-League.

Newcastle Jets:

Morten Nortdstrand ($13 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Bagged the Jets’ goal in last week’s draw with Central Coast and is perhaps the Jets’ best player. The Danish striker’s clinical finish was hopefully a sign of things to come for Jets fans eager for a hero.

A Nabbout ($15 with sportsbet.com.au)

Has just the one goal this season for Newcastle, but Jets talisman Andrew Nabbout will be out to prove something against his former club. The gun winger has the attacking chops to cause serious problems for the sturdy Victory defence. Jones has laid down the gauntlet, expect him to respond.

Match predictions

Match result: Draw ($4.25 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Correct match score: Draw 1-1 ($8 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Total match goals: Under 2.5 ($2.19 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Look, we’re picking the Victory and we wouldn’t be overly surprised if they smashed the Jets off the park. But there is just this nagging feeling that at least a minor upset is brewing. After losses to Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix, the Jets pushed Mebourne City all the way, with only Fornaroli’s class getting them over the line, and then eked out the draw with Central Coast. They aren’t getting absolutely pummelled and, while they have struggled to score in recent times, they do possess a solid line up that has the ability to push the best teams. With both teams at their best, the Victory would win comfortably, but the A-League is a fickle beast that always has the potential to produce the unexpected. Back the draw or try the Victory draw no bet.