The weekend kicks off with one of the toughest matches to pick all season long, and it is not because of anything special either side is doing.
Brisbane dominated possession against Auckland last week but were unable to create any sort of clear cut chances, resulting in another home defeat.
Meanwhile Macarthur played in another chaotic fixture, scoring two late goals to secure a point at home to Newcastle.
When these teams met in November it was a wild 4-4 draw in Campbelltown, but in the humid conditions they are likely to face on Friday night, it is unlikely that the game will be played at that sort of pace.
And if both teams are a bit lethargic, we may not see too many chances created.
BEST: Under 2.5 Goals $2.20 | VALUE: Under 1.5 Goals $4.25
It might not have been the prettiest performance but Auckland continued their march to the premiership with a much needed victory in Brisbane on Sunday.
Now they return home for one of the final times this season looking to maintain their seven point advantage over Western United.
The Wanderers will be desperate for a win themselves though, still very much in the mix for a top two finish and also in danger of falling out of the finals entirely if things go wrong over the next few weeks.
But right now Auckland are just too good to back against, especially with a number of key players returning from injury, making them an ominous opponent as we approach the business end of the season.
BEST: Auckland to Win $1.91 | VALUE: Auckland to Win and Under 2.5 Goals $5.25
The Mariners mercifully ended a ten-game winless run on the weekend, beating Perth and all but ensuring they will not wind up with the wooden spoon.
Sure they only beat Perth but they are not in a position to get picky over who they beat.
While they would love a win over Melbourne City on Saturday, they just don’t look like they are capable of springing the upset here.
The market certainly does not give them much hope and justifiably so, City are the better team and should win this one easily.
BEST: Melbourne City to Win and Over 1.5 Goals $1.67 | VALUE: Melbourne City to Win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 $4.20
This is a fixture that has had plenty of goals in it and with the Glory’s defence reverting to type over their last few matches, this could get out of hand.
John Aloisi’s side are playing some spectacular football at the moment and will be raring to go after the international break and the bye have kept them out of action since March 16.
Prior to that they had won their last four by scores of 3-0, 3-1, 4-1 and 6-1, which shows a ruthlessness not many A-League sides have.
The final margin will likely just come down to how quickly they get out of the blocks, but there will be goals regardless of when they are scored.
BEST: Western United HT/FT Double $1.85 | VALUE: Western United to Win and Over 5.5 Goals $5.25
Adelaide’s fall down the ladder continued last week and their pain may not be over just yet as the sixth placed Reds host seventh place Sydney FC with a win for the visitors enough to leapfrog them into finals position.
Considering Adelaide has won just one game since January 20, taking six of a possible 27 points in that run, it should tell you all you need to know.
That should make Sydney FC the value play of the match but there is one major red flag with the Sky Blues and it is not their 3-2 loss to City last weekend, but the looming AFC Cup Semi Final in Singapore on Wednesday night.
Ufuk Talay might have to keep some players fresh ahead of a busy couple of weeks and that is enough to scare me off them.
Regardless of who plays where, we should see goals in this fixture given both teams’ recent run of high scoring games including a 3-3 draw at Hindmarsh in December and a 4-1 Sydney win in February.
BEST: Over 3.5 Goals $1.82 | VALUE: Over 5.5 Goals $4.40
The last couple of weeks have been an improvement for Wellington with back to back draws against Sydney FC and Western Sydney, but it is asking a lot for them to get by the Jets here.
While the Nix did win the first meeting this season, a lot has changed in the Hunter since then and Newcastle are almost down to their last chance in the hunt for the finals.
Having dropped points in three of their last four they find themselves seven points adrift of the top six and they cannot afford to fall further behind.
Take the more desperate team to win.
BEST: Newcastle to Win $1.75 | VALUE: Newcastle to Win Both Halves $4.50