A-League Betting Tip: Back Melbourne City on the Asian Handicap against Sydney FC

Recommended bet: Asian Handicap – Melbourne City +0.5 @ 3/4 (1.75) with Unibet

Third in the table Melbourne City face runaway A-League leaders’ Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday evening, with City needing the win to keep the pressure on Newcastle Jets in the race for second place.

City fought back from being a goal down to secure a 2-1 win at Brisbane Roar last weekend, with goals from Marcin Budzinski and Stefan Mauk turning the game in their favour.  

It was a particularly impressive result given that City were without a specialist central striker following Ross McCormack’s return to parent club Aston Villa and with Bruno Fornaroli (the man for whom McCormack was brought in on loan to cover) yet to recover from long-term injury.

It was also a result that maintained City’s recent good form, during which they’ve picked up 14 points in a six-match unbeaten run.

It was a far more routine for Sydney last time out, as they eased to a 4-0 win at home to bottom of the table Wellington Phoenix.  The Sky Blues were always in control following early goals from Alex Brosque and Adrian Mierzejewski.  Further goals from Miloš Ninković and David Carney completed the scoring, with arguably the biggest surprise being that 18-goal veteran Brazilian striker Bobô failed to add to his tally.

The win stretched Sydney’s unbeaten league run to 13 games since their only loss of the campaign to date and leaves them nine points clear at the top going into the weekend’s fixtures.

Although City are still likely to be missing Fornaroli on Saturday, the fact that they are at home and in decent form does give them hope.  

Also, Sydney face Suwon Bluewings of South Korea in their opening AFC Champions League group game at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday so, with the Sky Blues already looking nailed on to defend their Premiers crown, they could potentially be a little distracted.

Sydney are favourites for the game, but betting on Melbourne City +0.5 on the Asian Handicap with Unibet at 3/4 (1.75) looks worth a punt.  It’s the best bet where you will get paid out provided City avoid defeat and that looks a distinct possibility.