{"id":22816,"date":"2025-10-19T08:05:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T19:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=22816"},"modified":"2025-10-19T08:47:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T19:47:25","slug":"2025-26-a-league-tips-round-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2025\/10\/2025-26-a-league-tips-round-1\/","title":{"rendered":"2025\/26 A-League Tips | Round 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Season 21 of the A-League kicks off this week and it\u2019s time to bring some more silverware to this side of the Tasman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Auckland\u2019s debut campaign was a dream, claiming the premiership before a heartbreaking Semi Final exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However Steve Corica\u2019s side will have a chance to avenge that defeat when they visit Melbourne Victory in Saturday night\u2019s feature match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nix have an even longer trip on the cards, heading across the Nullarbor to take on Perth Glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have learned over the last two decades, anything can happen in the A-League and anything will, so find our best bets for Round 1 below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST BETS<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Adelaide United<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Sydney FC<\/div>\n
Friday 9:00pm \u2013 Coopers Stadium<\/div>\n
Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.30<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What better way to kick things off than a Friday night at Hindmarsh, with Adelaide hosting Sydney FC.<\/p>\n

Last season these two sides battled to the end for sixth spot and Adelaide pipped Sydney by one point.<\/p>\n

While there have been some changes in both squads, and in Adelaide\u2019s coaching staff there is no reason to think this match won\u2019t be any different.<\/p>\n

There has been no shortage of goals in this fixture over the last few seasons with seven of the last nine games producing four or more goals.<\/p>\n

Sydney won the last two head to head meetings but I\u2019m expecting an even, end to end contest that is going to go down to the wire.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Adelaide United v Sydney FC<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Melbourne Victory<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Auckland FC<\/div>\n
Saturday 9:35pm \u2013 AAMI Park<\/div>\n
Auckland FC to Win @ $2.80<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The Victory will host the defending premiers in the Saturday night feature match for Round 1 of the A-League and there is a lot to like about this match.<\/p>\n

While the Victory might have fallen at the final hurdle last season losing the Grand Final, they are once again expected to compete for silverware this time around.<\/p>\n

Head coach Arthur Diles has assembled a talented squad on paper, although Juan Mata might be limited to bench cameos from time to time as they manage his minutes.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately their lone competitive preseason hitout was a poor loss to Olympic Kingsway in the Australia Cup, so they may be rusty out of the gates.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Auckland went on a cup run through August that came to an end at the hands of eventual finalist Heidelberg.<\/p>\n

However there was a lot to like about the way they controlled games in the early stage of the season and Steve Corica has another title contender on his hands.<\/p>\n

The away side won three of the four meetings last season including both legs of that epic semi final tie, and I\u2019ll happily back Auckland to start the season with all three points.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

OTHER MATCHES<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Brisbane Roar<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Macarthur FC<\/div>\n
Friday 11:05pm \u2013 Suncorp Stadium<\/div>\n
Brisbane to Win @ $2.35<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\t\t\t\n Brisbane Roar v Macarthur FC<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Western Sydney Wanderers<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne City<\/div>\n
Saturday 7:00pm \u2013 CommBank Stadium<\/div>\n
Melbourne City to Win @ $2.60<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\t\t\t\n Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Perth Glory<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Wellington Phoenix<\/div>\n
Saturday 11:45pm \u2013 HBF Park<\/div>\n
Draw @ $3.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\t\t\t\n Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Central Coast Mariners<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Newcastle Jets<\/div>\n
Sunday 5:00pm \u2013 Polytec Stadium<\/div>\n
Newcastle to Win @ $2.10<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\t\t\t\n Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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<\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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A-League Round 1 Multi<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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