Competition: A-League
market: Sydney FC double chance
Odds: 7/10 @ BetUS
In what could prove to be a frantic A-League showdown on Friday morning, Melbourne Victory will welcome Sydney to AAMI Park.
Starting with the hosts, Melbourne having a bronze medal finish among Australia’s elite last season, Vijay have struggled mightily to find any form of stability this term. With this weekend’s fixtures sitting outside the play-off places, interim boss Arthur Diles has a real job on his hands at AAMI Park. In a dramatic 3–2 defeat against eventual title rivals Adelaide, Melbourne went without a win in any of their previous six consecutive A-League games – dating back to 8 December. Despite picking up 10 points from their first four top-flight showdowns, Friday’s hosts came back down to earth in alarming fashion. Victims of the infamous A-League collapse at home against Western United on 10th January, Vijay showed some brilliant defensive struggles. In fact, Melbourne have conceded 13 goals in their six games. It should also be noted, Diles’ provisional squad have conceded six goals in their last two showdowns at AAMI Park.
For the visitors, who saw their extended excitement last weekend come to an abrupt end, Sydney will want an immediate response here. Finally coming off an action-packed 4-3 loss at home to Brisbane, Ufuk Talei’s men will quickly realize the importance of dusting themselves off. Having lost just one of their previous seven A-League appearances, the former Wellington boss will be buoyed by his team’s clinical performance in the final third. Storming their way to a sensational 4-1 win over Central Coast earlier in the month, Friday’s visitors have scored at least a pair of goals in seven of their previous eight outings. Finding their way back into the play-off places, Sydney will take many positives from their recent struggle against Melbourne. Talay’s side could smell an opportunity to lay down a similar marker on Friday morning, having won 3-0 when they welcomed Victory to the city on December 28.
Bet: Sydney FC double odds on Melbourne Victory 7/10 for Friday’s A-League matchup @ BetUS
