2016 Grand Final A-League Preview & Bets

A-League Football

It’s finally here, after a couple of cracking Semi Finals, the A-League Grand Final for the 2015/16 season is upon us. Last week kicked off on Friday with Adelaide hosting Melbourne City at Hindmarsh Stadium. Adelaide started a pretty short price, and I thought it was justified, but when it was 0-0 at halftime it looked like it was anyone’s game. Djite, who has been a star for Adelaide all season proved once again that he is one of their biggest assets. In the space of 12 minutes he bagged himself two goals, giving Adelaide a 2-0 lead. Melbourne City got a goal back courtesy of Fitzgerald, but not long after that Adelaide scored another couple to secure their place in the last game of the year.

Sunday afternoon’s match between Western Sydney and Brisbane was much closer. Brisbane came out firing early and after only 25 minutes they were amazingly 3-0 up. At the break Western Sydney had pulled back a couple of goals to leave them trailing by only one. Early into the second half Castelen bagged a couple more to give Western Sydney the lead and to complete his hat trick. As he’s done so many times before Maclaren got Brisbane an equaliser late in the game to leave the match at 4-4 at the final whistle. Being a final, obviously the match didn’t finish there though and during overtime it was Vidosic who was the hero for Western Sydney getting them the goal that gave them a ticket to the Grand Final.

It’s the last match of the season and we’ve got the best two teams from throughout the year facing-off, the way it should be. With Adelaide finishing the season at the top of the table, they’ve earned the right to host the Grand Final, which is a massive advantage.

Here’s the latest update on how the tips are going. Of the 208 selections; I have had 83 winners, 105 losses and 20 pushes. This equates to (at betting to win 1 unit) -1.96 units and a POT (profit on turnover) of -0.97%.

This is the last preview for the season, but I’ll post Grand Final review as well as an end of season wrap-up over the coming weeks. If there’s anything else you’d like to see, just shoot me a tweet.

Happy punting on the last game of the season.
@AL_TheProfits

Best Value: 
1st:    Adelaide United – Head to Head – $2.45.
2nd:    Adelaide United – Draw No Bet – $1.73.

Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers

Sunday 1 May, 4:00pm (AEDT) – Adelaide Oval

After 139 games, we’re finally here; it’s the A-League Grand Final for 2015/16. After winning the Premiers Plate, Adelaide has the honour of playing host to Western Sydney for the big match. Adelaide’s Semi Final was against Melbourne City and they had no real trouble dispensing of them. It was still 0-0 at half time, but the second half was all one-way traffic for Adelaide. With a total 22 shots at goal, they had more than double of their opposition, so it was no surprise to see them win easily. They ended up finishing the game 4-1, with Djite being the star netting the first two goals. That has taken Adelaide’s winning streak to four, and they still have only lost one match since before Christmas. Their form has slowly improved all season, and they’re peaking at the right time. Western Sydney’s match last week wasn’t quite as easy against Brisbane, especially when they were looking at the scoreboard after 25 minutes and they were 3-0 down. They kept their heads though, and quickly pulled back two goals so that they came out of halftime only goal behind. They kept the pressure on after the restart and bagged another two goals, giving them a 4-3 lead. Brisbane weren’t done with though, and this time it was them who scored to tie things up. After 90 minutes the game sat at 4-4 so another half an hour of football was put up to find a winner. Vidosic, who has had his critics this season, came to the fore for his side and scored the match winner, taking Western Sydney into the Grand Final. I can’t believe I’m saying this, as it is a Grand Final, but in my opinion if Adelaide turn up fully fit and play to their ability, they should just win. Adelaide has been clearly the best team for the better part of the last two/three months, and the fact that they’re at home here, everything points to them. It might be the last game of the season, but this looks to be one of the best value picks I’ve had all year. I’ve rated Adelaide $1.65, and as much as $2.45 is available for them. I can’t fathom that Adelaide are anywhere near that price, you can even get $1.73 about them with money back if it ends in a draw, which is still longer than my Head to Head rating. I think they are a great value and a great way to finish the season.

Last 10 games:    
Adelaide                3
Western Sydney    3
Draw                      4

Head to Head
Rated Price:    
Adelaide                $1.65
Western Sydney    $5.87
Draw                      $4.50

Market Price:    
Adelaide                 $2.45 Bet365
Western Sydney    $3.20 Sportsbet
Draw                      $3.65 Unibet

Draw No Bet
Rated Price:  
Adelaide                 $1.28
Western Sydney    $4.57

Market Price:    
Adelaide                 $1.73 Bet365
Western Sydney    $2.25 Sportsbet, William Hill

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Rated Price:    
Under            $2.25
Over              $1.80

Market Price:  
Under             $2.12 Unibet
Over               $1.75 William Hill

Value:         Adelaide United – Head to Head – $2.45.
Adelaide United – Draw No Bet – $1.73.

Author

AL

I’ve always been a massive soccer fan, starting with Manchester United in my early days (still love the Red Devils). While I followed the old NSL a little, I really got into Australian soccer once the A-League had been up and going for a couple of years. I’m amazed how it gets bigger and better every year and I’m excited to see where it will go in the future. I also have a keen interest in gambling and trying to use statistics to find an edge that others can’t. As soon as TheProfits asked if I would be interested in writing A-League for them I jumped at the opportunity. I hope that I can pass on some of my knowledge on both soccer and gambling to others, and I always appreciate any feedback or advice, I know that I’ve always got plenty to learn too. And most importantly, I hope I can help others win some cash and send those bookies broke.

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