The third round of 2022/23 A-League kicks off on Saturday, October 22, with a three-match lineup, including Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix, Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar, and Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City.
Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix Betting Pick
- When: Saturday, October 22 – 17:00 AEDT
- Where: McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia
- Weather: Showers, 20°C
Newcastle Jets have played just one game so far this season, but they took full advantage of the opportunity and defeated Perth Glory (2-1). Much of their success on the day was thanks to Beka Mikeltadze, who scored the game-winning goal in 90’+3.
Although the late goal might suggest that Newcastle didn’t deserve to win, they had to play with 10 men since the 72nd minute, for which they deserve a pat on the back. For this match, all the eyes will be again on the Georgian King as the main goalscorer of the Jets as they take on the Nix, who have proven to be anything but sturdy in the back.
Wellington Phoenix are 0-2-0 after two rounds of play with two draws against Adelaide United (1-1) and Central Coast Mariners (2-2). Much like the Jets, the Phoenix had to count on a late goal to collect points from their most recent fixture (88’), granted it was an own goal.
There isn’t much to separate Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix. And even though this bout will be played in Newcastle, the Jets have taken only seven points from their last six home games, so this is definitely a winnable game for the Nix.
No matter how this game ends, we can be sure that it will be a fiery display, so we’re taking over 2.5 goals.
- Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar Betting Pick
- When: Saturday, October 22 – 17:00 AEDT
- Where: CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia
- Weather: Cloudy, 22°C
Western Sydney Wanderers entered the 2022/23 A-League season as a team that might do well, but they’ve quickly proven that they are not to be messed with. After two rounds of action, WS Wanderers hold a perfect 2-0-0 record with minimal wins against Perth Glory (1-0) and Melbourne Victory (1-0), who they beat last round with a very strong showing.
WS Wanderers’ victory against the Melbourne side was impressive and well-deserved. Interestingly the visitors had only 39% mal possession and have produced just five goal attempts throughout the 90 minutes, of which only two went towards the goal. Melbourne Victory ended the game 1/10.
Brisbane Roar are 0-1-1, having suffered their first loss of the season last week, when they fell against Melbourne City (0-2), following a 0-0 stalemate against Macarthur FC. Losing against City isn’t the end of the world, but you would’ve expected more from the Roar, considering they had a man advantage since 74th minute.
Brisbane Roar might not look to be in a very good spot, but they’ve won five of their last eight meetings with WS Wanderers. Moreover, they won this affair 3-1 in May, and the Roar will surely want to replicate that success on Saturday.
We’re not saying that WS Wanderers will lose, but we can be sure that Brisbane Roar will give them a run for their money. Expect an explosive match with both teams finding the back of the net.
- Prediction: Both Teams To Score
Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City Betting Pick
- When: Saturday, October 22 – 19:45 AEDT
- Where: AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia
- Weather: Cloudy, 20°C
The day will conclude with a Melbourne Derby, as Melbourne City take on their rivals, Melbourne Victory. As a match that promises a spectacular 90 minutes of football, there’s an additional layer of excitement ahead of this affair, as it sees both clubs seemingly in top form.
Past head-to-head meetings don’t really give us a clear picture of how this one will go, seeing how three out of their last four meetings ended in a draw – suggesting that this is anyone’s game. Last time out (in May), the Melbourne clubs parted ways with a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming in the first half.
Before that, we saw a spectacular 2-2 draw that had a sprinkle of drama, with Nick D’Agostino scoring an equaliser in 81’, followed by a 90’+6 red card for Jamie Maclaren.
As the latest A-League betting odds suggest, Melbourne City are the favourites (2.37), which might make sense, but we’re leaning towards the Victory. They have Nani – who made his debut against WS Wanderers – who is bound to leave a mark – as history has taught us, these derbies usually see star players step up and deliver.
Talking about star players, we also can’t ignore Maclaren, who has already bagged three goals in two games and is bound to do some damage. And you could say that Maclaren’s scoring form is the big reason why City are the favourites.
Still, this is the Melbourne Derby, so you should expect the unexpected. In our book, there are no favourites when Victory and City meet, so taking the former at 2.80 is a no-brainer pick to end our Saturday’s A-League picks.
- Prediction: Melbourne Victory to win
