Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix Prediction & Betting Tips - A-League

Prediction published on 08/04/2023, 05:29  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/04/2023 at 06:29 in Football Predictions

A-League leaders Melbourne City can go seven points clear at the top with a home win over fifth placed Wellington Phoenix. Melbourne's title hopes were boosted when second placed Adelaide United were held to a 1-1 home draw by Newcastle Jets. That left Melbourne four points ahead and with this game in hand. Melbourne had drawn two successive league games before beating local rivals Melbourne Victory 2-1 at home in midweek. That continued their unbeaten run at home in the A-League and they remain the only side yet to be beaten at home. Eight out of 11 home league games have been won this season with 30 goals scored. Only Newcastle Jets have come away with a point in the last five home Melbourne games with 14 goals scored. 

Wellington Phoenix are looking good for a place in the end-of-season play-offs. They are four points clear of seventh place and are heading for the quarter finals. The top two go straight into the semi-finals but Wellington are currently ten points adrift of Adelaide United. Any hopes of a top two finish have faded in recent games with two successive defeats. That began with a 5-1 thrashing at Adelaide and then a 2-1 home loss to Melbourne Victory who are bottom of the table. On the road this season, Wellington have only had three league games and they've lost three of their last five. Back Melbourne City to get a important home win.