The Kiwi Clasico could not have gone much worse for the Nix, on the wrong end of a 6-1 scoreline that has all but ended their season.
Now nine points behind the top six and winless in their last four, it’s tough to see them going on a run in the coming weeks to salvage their season.
City’s derby on the other hand was slightly more successful, picking up a point in a hard fought clash with the Victory.
While the head to head has been dominated by the home team over the last couple of years, the differing trajectories of these teams makes this a pretty easy trend to back against.
City should win, it’s just a case of by how much.
BEST: Melbourne City to Win $1.91 | VALUE: Melbourne City to Win and Under 2.5 Goals $4.33
It might be time to pull the pin on the Mariners this season, it just has not happened for them when they needed it to.
Their run of scrappy but kind of impressive draws in the A-League was brought to a screeching halt by the Wanderers last weekend and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend.
Western United are coming off a demolition of Adelaide with John Aloisi’s side making a real statement ahead of the run home.
It has been nearly three years since United have defeated the Mariners, losing six and drawing two, but there may be no better time for that run to come to an end.
BEST: Western United to Win $2.05 | VALUE: Western United to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 $4.40
Is anyone willing to take on Auckland FC at this point?
If there is, then that person is far braver than I, especially after their derby delight against the Nix.
We have not seen too many blowout wins from the new boys this season but that was surely an ominous sign ahead of this top of the table clash against the Reds.
Since their fiery, controversial and highly entertaining 2-2 draw on January 22, the Reds have lost three and won just once, not exactly an encouraging form line.
Their pain may be made even worse in this trip to Auckland if their defence repeats its effort against Western United last week.
BEST: Auckland to Win $1.90 | VALUE: Auckland to Win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 $4.60
Brisbane’s season is for all intents and purposes over and done and they are on the verge of being officially eliminated from finals contention in the next week or two.
Even the old adage of being able to play spoiler does not seem like it will motivate this lacklustre squad of players and right now they just have to hope they don’t wind up getting blown off the park too often during their final ten matches.
The Victory should make short work of them here and win this match comfortably.
It’s actually a surprise to see them this long in the market.
BEST: Victory to Win $1.80 | VALUE: Victory to Win Both Halves $4.60
Macarthur returns to the pitch after a tumultuous bye week that saw their club captain released due to frustrations with A-League refereeing… and nothing to do with the massive pay raise to go join the J-League.
What he leaves behind is a club seemingly trending in the wrong direction and showing no signs of correction.
Sydney on the other hand had a tougher than expected week for entirely different reasons, surviving extra time in their ACL2 clash in Bangkok before holding on for a 0-0 draw against Perth where fatigue was a real issue.
A win here is a must as it would provide some breathing space between them and the Bulls while also keeping the pressure on those above them on the table.
With a full week of rest and recovery, Sydney should come out firing here.
BEST: Sydney to Win $2.10 | VALUE: Sydney FC to Win Both Halves $5.50
We got to see the best version of the Wanderers last week and the market certainly thinks they will come out to play once again this weekend.
However Perth have shown some improvement in recent weeks, with six of their last seven matches decided by one goal or finishing in a draw.
A big reason for that is their defence keeping opponents to two or fewer goals in their last seven matches, a big improvement on the start of the season.
This might not be the blowout win for Western Sydney we saw last week but they should get it done one way or another.
BEST: Western Sydney to Win and Under 4.5 Goals $2.25 | VALUE: Western Sydney to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 $4.33