A-League Round 4 Betting Predictions

Newcastle went from wooden spooners to runners-up last season, but find themselves back at the bottom early in this new campaign after a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory in the grand final replay last week. Sydney, who finished 14 points clear of Newcastle on the top of the ladder last season before bouncing out to Victory in the semi-finals, enjoyed an impressive 3-0 win at Melbourne City last week.

Where are all the goals?

Newcastle (10^th, 1 point) averaged more than 2 goals a game last season, but have only netted 2 from their 3 matches so far this campaign. Newcastle’s marquee Venezuelan international Ronald Vargas scored his first goal in the A-League a couple of weeks ago after missing most of the 2017-18 season with an ankle injury. Coach Ernie Merrick will be hoping Vargas can quickly gel with fellow forward Dmitri Petratos and Jair, the 30-year-old Brazilian recruited who debuted for Newcastle last week.

Sydney FC (1^st, 7 points) haven’t had any trouble finding the back of the net, with Englishman Adam le Fondre, signed from Bolton Wanderers in the off-season, scoring 4 goals in the first 3 league games. Sydney only had 39% of the possession against Melbourne City, but they won the one stat that matters, putting 4 of their shots on target and scoring 3 times – with le Fondre scoring a brace and Paulo Retre nabbing the third.

Other A-League Matches Predictions

Round 4 is Remembrance Round, commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War I.

On Friday night, Melbourne City (5^th, 4 points) take on Wellington Phoenix (6^th, 4 points) at AAMI Park. Both teams are looking to recover from big home losses last week, when City succumbed 3-0 to Sydney FC after a spirited opening 15 minutes and Phoenix lost 3-0 to Western Sydney Wanderers to ruin captain Andrew Durante’s 250^th game for the club. Melbourne City are warm favourites, given the home ground advantage and the fact Phoenix played in heavy rain last week.

On Saturday, Western Sydney Wanderers (4^th, 4 points) host Brisbane Roar (8^th, 2 points) at one of their regional homes away from home, Glen Willow Sporting Field in Mudgee, north-west of Sydney. Wanderers will be full of confidence given last week’s big away win. Brisbane are one of three winless teams, despite giving Perth Glory a late scare last week. Wanderers are the favourites here.

On Sunday, two of the competition’s form teams meet when Adelaide United (3^rd, 5 points) host Perth Glory (2^nd, 7 points). United won the FFA Cup for the second time last week, defeating Sydney FC at home in the final, and they backed it up on the weekend with a 3-0 thrashing of Central Coast Mariners. Perth’s good run of form has seen them move up to fourth in A-League title betting, although Adelaide are the favourites in this one.

Defending champs Melbourne Victory (7^th, 3 points) and struggling Central Coast Mariners (9^th, 2 points) close out the round at AAMI Park. Usain Bolt’s time with the Mariners came to an end last week, after the club failed to reach a permanent deal with the 8-time Olympic gold medallist. The news isn’t any better on the field, where Victory will start hot favourites.

A-League Week 4 Betting Tips

Newcastle v Sydney FC: Adam le Fondre, first goal (4.35 at Unibet)

Adelaide United v Perth Glory: Both teams to score (1.60 at PointsBet)

Western Sydney v Brisbane Road: Wanderers to keep clean sheet (3.20 at Ladbrokes)