A-League Grand Final betting preview

It’s been five years since Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC squared off in an A-League Grand Final, and for coach Kevin Muscat, it’s the perfect opportunity to make amends for the penalty kick he sent shuddering into the upright that fateful night. Melbourne Victory finished top of the table this year, but a solitary win was all that separated the two sides, and after both teams made relatively light work of their semi-final opponents, this year’s Grand Final is shaping up as one for the ages. If you’re a seasoned A-League punter, or making your first A-League bet, we’ve got everything you need to know for the big dance.

The Rivalry

The A-League has expanded over the years from it’s original format, and with that, new rivalries. But the ‘Big Blue’ still is, and always will be the biggest rivalry in A-League. Since the inception of the A-League, the two sides have met 35 times, with the Victory saluting 10 times, Sydney FC 9 times, and on 16 occasions, there hasn’t been a winner. This year alone, the sides have met three times, two of these games have been 3-3 draws while the third was a nil-all draw. If you think they’ll repeat the dose, A nil-all draw is paying $11 and a 3-3 draw is paying a huge $36! Last time the two sides met in a Grand Final was in 2010. The game went to penalties and then Victory skipper Kevin Muscat missed an absolute howler from the spot, handing Sydney FC the win.

Goal Scorer markets

Given the attacking nature of both these sides, and the fact that on two separate occasions the sides met this year six goals were scored, there’s plenty of value in the first goal scorer and goal scorer markets. First Goal Scorer B Berisha – $6.00 M. Janko – $6.50 S. Smeltz – $7.50 A Thompson – $8.00 K Barbarouses – $8.50 C Pain – $13.00 Or if you think Berisha could have an absolute field day, he’s paying $26.00 for a hat-trick!

Win-Draw-Win and Lifting the cup

What’s the difference you say? The Win-Draw-Win market is the score at the end of the 90 minutes and injury time, so when the final whistle sounds, that score stands, regardless if it’s going to extra time. Lifting the Cup means which side will win the Final, including extra time and penalties. So if your betting on the ‘Lifting the Cup’, you’re essentially just eliminating the draw from your betting. Win-Draw-Win Melbourne Victory – $2.20 Draw – $3.50 Sydney FC – $3.20 Lifting the Cup Melbourne Victory – $1.60 Sydney FC – $2.25

Where’s the money?

WDW market Since the market opened, the Win-Draw-Win markets have seen little movement in the odds. 50% of bets have been on Victory to win, 40% on Sydney to win, and 10% on scores being level at the completion of regular time. One confident Sydney FC fan has put a bet on of $5000 to win at odds of $3.25 Half-time/Full-time Surprisingly, a massive portion of punters are jumping all over the Victory leading at half time and Sydney FC to be leading at full time at $31. 30% of punters on this market are having a crack at this result. Correct score Have a penchant for picking correct scores? From nil-all draws to ten goal drubbings, you can have it all here. One punter is confident it will be raining goals and Sydney FC to get up, putting $50 on a 5-4 at $501. He stands to collect a mammoth $25,050 if it gets up. Another punter is hoping for a white wash to the same tune World Cup Semi-final between Brazil vs Germany, when Germany belted the hosts 7-1. He’s outlaid all of 50 cents on Victory to defeat Sydney 7-1 at $501. First goal scorer No player was involved in more of his team’s goals than Besart Berisha in the Hyundai A-League this season (21; 14 goals, 7 assists). Combined with his experience in two A-League finals, Berisha looks good value at $6 to score the first or $2.40 to score anytime!

For these, plus all 131 markets we’re offering on the big game, click here