2025/26 A-League Tips | Round 2

On the back of a first up scoreless draw against the Victory, Auckland will be greeted by an expectant home crowd for the first time this season.

Last season they had to settle for a share of the points against the Wanderers, with neither side able to really find their groove in attack.

Western Sydney had a draining draw of their own in Round 1 against Melbourne City and loom as one of the main challengers for Auckland’s throne, but right now you have to side with the home team.

It should be a close game with both meetings last seeing the under hit and both managers seemingly prioritising a stingy defence.

Half an hour into their Distance Derby over in Perth, it looked like it was going to be a nightmare start to the season for the Nix.

But to their credit they rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point to get off the mark for the season.

Now they take on a very different Brisbane Roar side who won their Round 1 clash against Macarthur on Friday night.

New coach Michael Valkanis fielded a starting 11 with seven new signings and they were able to grind out a 1-0 victory despite playing the last 35 minutes with 10 men.

The recent head to head history between these two sides suggests this is going to be a low scoring encounter with the last five matches finishing either 1-0 or 1-1.

There was a lot to like on both sides in Round 1 and I can see them cancelling each other out with the spoils being shared.