Aust. A-League
2020-03-23 - Perth Glory vs Western United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Australian A-League
Monday 23rd March 2020 - Kick Off 8:45pm
British Time: 10:45am
Preview
They might not have had quite enough to win a maiden Grand Final having been Runners Up twice, but Perth Glory did win the Premiership last season for the first time. Following that up was always going to be a test, but Perth are in a position where they can earn a spot in the Play Offs and will still believe a strong end to the season will give them a chance for an automatic spot in the Semi Final.
A heartbreaking Penalty Shoot Out defeat ended Perth Glory's bid for the Grand Final win last season, but for now the concentration is trying to pick up their form ahead of the post-season. The recent slump has just allowed teams to close in on Perth who are 5th in the A-League table but only 4 points clear of 7th placed Adelaide United going into this weekend.
The Glory are also taking on the team directly below them in the League table as Western United are performing above expectations in their inaugural season in the Australian top Football Division. Perth have produced a 4-2-3 record at home where they have scored 22 goals and conceded 15, but this is a team who have not won any of their last 5 games in all competitions.
In that time Perth have been beaten 3 times, but they did battle and grind out a goalless draw with League leaders Sydney last week. Last time out here Perth were beaten 2-3 by Melbourne City, a result that ended a 5 game unbeaten run at home for the Glory during which time they had won 4 times.
Perth have scored at least two goals in their last 6 home games, but there have been issues defensively which has seen them concede at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 here.
No one can take anything for granted against Western United despite playing their first season in the A-League as they are up to 6th in the table and just recorded two very big wins. The side have a respectable 4-2-3 record away from home in the League and have scored 14 goals and conceded 10 in those fixtures, but Western United know it will still be a tough road to run if they are going to earn a spot in the post-season.
Western United had not won any of 4 League games and had been beaten in 3 of those, but a 6-2 home win over Central Coast Mariners and a 1-5 win at Adelaide United has given them some confidence. They had not won any of 4 away games and had lost 2 of 3 before the win over Adelaide United which has taken them back into the top six in the Division.
These teams played out a 1-1 draw in Victoria earlier this season and this will be the first time they meet in Perth.
Prediction
In recent games involving Perth Glory and Western United the goals have been racking up and I think that could be the case when they meet each other for the second time this season.
Perth Glory have scored a lot of goals at home, but they have also conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 here. On the other side Western United have scored 11 goals in their last couple of games and I do think backing at least three goals to be shared out at the price is more appealing than picking a winner in this one.
You can understand Perth Glory being the favourites, but at the same kind of price backing goals looks more appealing.
The Pick :
Perth Glory 3-2 Western United
