Competition: A-League
Market: Auckland FC win
Odds: 8/15 @ Pribet
Looking to extend on their A-League title charge this weekend, Auckland will welcome Wellington to the Mount Smart Stadium in the early hours of Saturday.
Starting with the hosts, while Auckland might have only made their A-League debut this season, the Black Knights have embarked on a sensational run of form. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point at the top of the table, Steve Corica’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits this year. Putting in another gritty performance last weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Western United, the former Sydney boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to lay down another title marker here. Getting February underway with a 2-1 win against Macarthur, Auckland have now won each of their last three A-League appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1. Storming their way to a dominant 3-0 romp against Melbourne City last month, the Black Knights have registered 13 points from their last five outings. It should also be highlighted, Saturday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from any of their eight A-League showdowns at the Mount Smart Stadium this season.
As for the visitors, while Wellington might have claimed a silver medal finish among Australia’s elite last season, the Phoenix have endured a public A-League crisis this time around. Last seen putting in another flat display as they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Melbourne Victory, Giancarlo Italiano’s men have recorded just a sole win from any of their previous seven appearances – a run that stems back to December 28th. Getting Saturday’s showdown underway sat six points adrift of finding a route into the play-off places, Wellington should also be concerned by a downbeat record against the A-League title contenders. Including a 2-1 defeat when they last traveled to the Mount Smart Stadium back in December, they have lost their two meetings against Auckland by an aggregate score of 4-1. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class between Saturday’s opponents, we are expecting a home victory this weekend.
Bet: Auckland FC 8/15 to beat Wellington Phoenix in Saturday’s A-League battle @ Pribet
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