Melbourne City vs Sydney Prediction & Betting Tips - A-League

Prediction published on 17/05/2023, 07:50  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/05/2023 at 08:35 in Football Predictions

Melbourne City can book their place in the A-League play-offs. After finishing top of the main season, they now take on Sydney FC who ended up in fifth place. Whoever wins this semi-final will take on either Central Coast Mariners or Adelaide United in the final. The away first leg ended in a 1-1 draw with Sydney coming from behind to level the game. Melbourne haven't always been at their best on the road and will be glad not to have any deficit to claw back in this second leg. Home form for Melbourne was the main reason they won the main season by 11 points. They were the only side not to lose a home league game with ten wins and three draws. Their last three home league games were all won and with nine goals scored. February saw then beat Sydney FC 3-2 at home. The goals have been flowing at home for Melbourne City. Eight of their last nine on home soil has seen them score at least twice.

FC Sydney finished the main season 17 points behind their opponents in this match. They won six of their 13 away league games, the fourth best record in the A-League. Sydney finished the season strongly to get into the play-offs. The quarter-finals saw them  come from behind to win 2-1 away at Western Sydney Wanderers. That win extended their unbeaten run to six games and it became seven with the home draw in the first leg. Have they missed the boat though by not getting a lead to take to Melbourne? Getting a positive result from this game isn't going to be easy and we tip Melbourne for the win.