Who to bet on in the A-League Victory vs. Roar week 15 clash

MATCH of the week in the A-League for week 15 sees the Brisbane Roar travelling to Melbourne to face the Victory at AAMI Park on Friday night.

The top-of-the-table Roar have been one of the more dynamic sides of the season. Their spread of goal scorers has been a feature – three Roar players have scored four or more goals this season.

Brisbane’s nil-all draw with the Wellington Phoenix on the weekend extended the Roar’s unbeaten run to five matches.

Melbourne Victory’s form has been poor in recent weeks, which has seen Kevin Muscat’s men register just one win from their last six matches.

Despite their poor recent run, the Victory’s last match was a thrilling six-goal draw against the Central Coast Mariners.

The reigning premiers overturned a three-goal first half deficit to snatch a much needed point – a performance that could be the catalyst for a second half revival.

The Victory have won the last three games against the Roar, and a win on Friday would see them draw level on points alongside third placed Melbourne City.

A win to the Roar would see them extend their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Match preview

Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au

Winner: Brisbane Roar- $3.55

First goal scorer: Henrique – $7.50

Kevin Muscat has had varying levels of ineligibility to deal with throughout the 2015/16 campaign, but the Victory’s playing stocks are almost at a crisis point.

Muscat has five players away in Qatar playing for the Olyroos, captain Carl Valeri is sidelined through injury and Daniel Georgievski is out via suspension.

The Victory manager believes his side’s current predicament is unprecedented.

“I think we are down to 10 match-fit bodies. Having said that what a great challenge it is for us. Brisbane are top of the table. They are the form team of the competition,” Muscat said.

“I can’t remember anything like it. It’s why I get up and get out of bed every morning and think we are in the situation we are in and what a great challenge it is. I am more than confident we will come out the other end in a positive position.”

Brisbane manager John Aloisi also has a selection dilemma on his hands.

Two of the Roar’s attacking threats in Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello are both in Qatar on international duty, but still have a strong roster of players to choose from for Friday night.

Muscat believes the Roar – who still have key personnel from their three-time premiership glory days amongst their squad – will present his men with the toughest challenge they have faced this season.

“A lot of that Brisbane group is still together from when they won the championship a few years ago. They are good players from being able to do that. They are the team to beat at the moment,” Muscat said.

“It’s our responsibility to take the game to them. They are patient, they will press really high, they won’t drop off, they will get the ball down and play.”

The Victory’s biggest problem in recent weeks has been their defending, keeping only three clean sheets for the entire season.

The three first half goals against bottom of the table Centeral Coast highlighted their defensive deficiencies, but Muscat was optimistic about what the season can hold after his side mounted an astonishing comeback to level it at 3-3.

“The defending wasn’t great [last week)]. What was disappointing is that we are aware of Central Coast in transition. To concede goals from that was disappointing … we got punished dearly. In the first half they got into our box three times and scored three goals,” Muscat said.

“On the other hand I think the reminder for us all was that we have to draw some confidence from that second half because it was outstanding. This week we have to get on the front foot and replicate that right from the start and maintain it for 90 minutes.”

If the Victory ever needed to tighten up their structures, this is the week to do it.

The Roar have scored the second most goals by any team in the league this season and have proven this campaign that any defensive lapses from the opposition will be immediately seized upon.

The Victory will find it hard to compete with the league leaders, despite holding home ground advantage and a good recent run against the visitors.

Expect the top of the table Roar to extend their unbeaten run to six matches whilst also putting a gap between them and the second placed Wanderers in the process.

A-League specials and promotions for round 14

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Crownbet are also offering a $50 dollar bonus bet on the A-League this weekend.

If you place a four or more leg multi this weekend and one leg fails, a bonus bet will be credited to your account.