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

Prediction published on 11/05/2023, 08:57  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 11/05/2023 at 09:58 in Football Predictions

The first leg of the A-League semi-finals take place this weekend. We start off with in-form Sydney FC at home to Melbourne City who finished top in the main season. The winners take on either Central Coast Mariners or Adelaide United in the final. Sydney ended the main season in fifth place and were 17 points behind Melbourne City. However, they had a strong finish to the season winning their last three league games with eight goals being scored. That took them into a play-off semi-final away at Western Sydney Wanderers. They caused a surprise by beating them 2-1 after going behind in the first half. That success took their unbeaten run to six matches. Home form has been a bit inconsistent with five wins but the same number of losses. They have only lost one of their last seven on home soil and back in December they beat Melbourne City 2-1 at home.

Melbourne City ended the main season 11 points clear at the top to go straight into the play-off semi-finals. Most of that lead was due to their excellent home form. They were unbeaten at home with ten wins and three draws. City also had the best away record but only by two points with six wins and three defeats. They ended the main season with an eight game unbeaten run but keeping clean sheets is not their strong point. The last 14 games all seeing both teams get on the scoresheet. Sydney won't make it easy for Melbourne who have won only one of their last five away games. The safest way to get a win seems to be betting on both teams scoring.