Auckland – Melbourne City: can Auckland extend their unbeaten run?
Auckland FC
In Round 19 of the A-League, Auckland will host Melbourne City on home soil. The match will take place on Saturday, 28 February, kicking off at 5:00 CET, and I am offering you a betting pick for it.
Auckland – Melbourne City: match facts and head-to-head
- Auckland are unbeaten in their last three matches: two wins and a draw.
- Auckland have scored in 17 consecutive matches.
- Melbourne City have managed just one win in their last six outings.
- Auckland boast the best defence in the A-League – 18 goals conceded.
- In 33% of their matches this season, Auckland have found the net in both halves.
- Auckland have not lost a single match to nil this season, while Melbourne City have done so in 15% of their games.
- Auckland have kept a clean sheet in 28% of their matches, Melbourne City in 19%.
- Melbourne City edged Auckland 2:1 in the most recent head-to-head meeting.
- The teams have faced each other three times: one win for Auckland and one draw in addition to that result.
Auckland – Melbourne City: match preview
Auckland are playing their second season in Australia’s A-League. They are currently battling for a top-two finish in the championship. After 18 rounds, they have collected 32 points and sit in second place. They are two points clear of the third-placed side and trail the league leaders by four points. In their previous match, they thrashed Wellington Phoenix 5:0 and are now unbeaten in three consecutive games, with two wins and a draw. Auckland also have the league’s most solid back line, having conceded just 18 goals.
Melbourne City are fighting for a place in the A-League play-offs. After 18 matches this season, the team have accumulated 22 points. The gap to sixth place stands at three points, so Melbourne remain firmly in the play-off race. They suffered a 1:3 defeat to Melbourne Victory in their previous match. In A-League action, Melbourne City are winless in four straight matches: two draws and two defeats. The Cityzens have one clear issue – just 20 goals scored, the third-worst attacking record in the league.
Probable line-ups
- Auckland: Woud, Hall, Elliot, Sakai, De Vries, Howieson, Gallegos, Girdwood-Reich, Rogerson, Randall, May
- Melbourne City: Beach, Behich, Delbridge, Ferreyra, Atkinson, Lopane, Teague, Caputo, Arzani, Younis, Memeti
Prediction
We are in for a tense and compelling contest, and I suggest a bet on both teams to score. Both Auckland and Melbourne City need the victory, and motivation will be high on both sides.
