A-League Betting Preview: Under 2.5 Goals looks a value bet in Adelaide United v Melbourne City

Recommended bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 5/4 (2.25) with Palmerbet

Adelaide United play host to Melbourne City at the Coopers Stadium on Saturday evening.

It’s a game that sees table-topping City defending the only remaining 100% record in the league after three rounds of matches.  The Reds can also boast an unbeaten start to their campaign, with a win and two draws from their opening three games.

Last week the Reds faced City’s local rivals, Melbourne Victory, at the Adelaide Oval and drew 2-2.  Adelaide fell behind early on (as has happened in all three of their A-League games this season) before going into a 2-1 lead, only to then concede a late equalizer.  Both of their goals came from an unlikely source in veteran midfielder Vince Lia, who scored with a couple of stunning strikes.

For their part, City moved two points clear at the top of the table as a Ross McCormack goal – his first since joining the club – gave them a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix.

Home advantage proved decisive in the three league games between the teams last season, with City winning 2-1 at AAMI Park a year to the day before Saturday’s meeting.  United gained revenge with a 2-1 victory at Coopers Stadium in January, when a late Mark Ochieng goal secured the points.  In the most recent clash, a Tim Cahill goal was sufficient for City to claim the three points at AAMI Park in April.

Adelaide do have an FFA Cup semi-final versus Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium on the Tuesday prior to this game, which could potentially have a bearing on their performance on Saturday.

There’s little to choose between the teams in the match betting, with the Reds being narrow favourites.  Taking into account how tight last season’s encounters were and the fact that neither team has scored or conceded more than two goals in any game this season to date, the signs are that this could be another match with little to choose between the teams.

That being the case, the 5/4 (2.25) on offer at Palmer Bet for there being Under 2.5 Goals in the game looks a decent value bet and worthy of an interest.