Melbourne City vs Western United
28 May 1045hrs
Football – Australia – A-League
Pick Western United
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 18/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 19 May
Reigning champions Melbourne City are looking to retain their title whilst Western United attempt to become A-League champions for the first ever time.
Table of Contents
Melbourne City – Can Melbourne follow up their success of last season and make it back-t0-back titles?
Nobody can fault Melbourne City’s consistency in recent years. Saturday will be their third straight appearance in the A-League Grand Final and hoping to retain the title they won last season after two earlier defeats. A 3-1 win over the most successful club in Australia, Sydney FC, secured them the top prize 12 months ago, having lost to that same opponent the previous season. City finished top of the table in the regular season, as well, one point clear of their arch rivals Melbourne Victory and three ahead of their opponent’s in Saturday’s final.
City’s route to the final was hard-fought despite entering at the semi-final stage. They required extra-time to see off Adelaide United after two games, eventually prevailing 2-1 on aggregate.
Western United Preview – Will Western United become champions in just their third season competing at this level?
In what is just their third campaign playing in the A-League, Western United have made it to the first Grand Final and are now one game away from creating history and their first ever title. They reached the semi-final stage in their first every season before a disappointing showing 12 months ago. John Aloisi was brought in to improve the club’s fortunes on the back of that and he is certainly living up to expectation.
Aloisi will have even more motivation to get a result in this one. He was manager of their Grand Final opponents immediately before the takeover.
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Western United have already seen off the other half of Melbourne with an incredible performance in the second leg of their tie against Victory, who were very much favoured. Aloisi’s men won 4-2 on aggregate. That was their first away win in four games and have accumulated five wins in their last 15 on the road domestically.
The experienced Aleksandar Prijovic has been in fine form with 12 goals this season, including two last time out. In what is his first season at the club, he has more than replaced the goals of Besart Berisha who retired last year.
Melbourne City vs Western United Betting Advice
It has been a remarkable season for Western United and they overcame such a big hurdle in the semi-final by getting the better of Melbourne Victory. Their reward for that is playing against the reigning champions on their home turf. Although City have home advantage due to their higher seeding, it is at the same stadium as Western United’s impressive win last weekend.
Tony Popovic’s team have to overcome a poor recent record against Western United, they haven’t beaten them in four and have lost their last three.
Key Facts – Melbourne City vs Western United Betting Tip
- Melbourne City are competing in their third straight A-League Grand Final (one victory, one defeat)
- Western United produced an excellent second leg performance to defeat Melbourne Victory in the semi-final
- Western United are unbeaten in their last four meetings against City, winning three of them
It is set up to be very intriguing tussle. City have plenty in their favour but it is Western United who are the selection. The manner of their win last weekend at this stadium against Victory gives them a huge opportunity and they have shown already they have what it takes to beat their opponents.
Best Betting Odds for Melbourne City vs Western United
