Competition: A-League
Market: Melbourne City win
Odds: 4/6 @ BetUS
Looking to shore up their spot in the play-off chase, Melbourne City will welcome Macarthur to AAMI Park on Friday morning.
Starting with the hosts, while Melbourne City might have found themselves at the heart of a real struggle on either side of opening February, the Sky Blues have come roaring back. Putting in what was a rugged performance last week as they collected a 1-0 victory away at Wellington, Aurelio Vidmar’s men have collected seven points from their previous three A-League appearances. Skyrocketing their way back into the play-off places, the former Australia boss will also be excited by his side’s continued dominant on home soil. Last seen at AAMI Park collecting a 1-0 victory against Perth, Melbourne have won all of their previous four consecutive A-League showdowns in front of their own supporters since opening the New Year. In fact, winning those four straight home fixtures by an aggregate score of 6-0, Friday’s hosts have not conceded a single goal at AAMI Park since the middle of December. Knowing that they can at least briefly climb into the AFC Champions League spots here, Melbourne will be desperate to lay down a statement of intent.
As for the visitors, putting in another downbeat display last weekend as they slumped to a routine 2-0 defeat at home against Sydney, Macarthur have endured a major A-League struggle this season. Getting Friday’s trip to Melbourne underway sat five points adrift of the play-off spots, Mile Sterjovski’s side have collected just a single point from any of their previous four appearances. Getting February underway with a 2-1 loss at the hands of title contenders Auckland, the Bulls have also registered just a sole victory from any of their last six A-League outings. Facing what should be another tricky test when they travel to AAMI Park this weekend, Macarthur have also lost their last two matchups outside of New South Wales by a 2-1 scoreline. Pencilled in as a real underdog contender here, Sterjovski’s camp do hold a worrying record in Melbourne. It should be highlighted, the Bulls have mustered just a single point from any of their five historic trips to AAMI Park.
Bet: Melbourne City 4/6 Macarthur in Friday’s A-League matchup @ BetUS
