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Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Tips & Predictions - Under 2.5 goals backed in top-of-the-table clash

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: 16 Jan 2025
Andrew Hendrie 16 Jan 2025
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  • Auckland FC vs Melbourne City predictions for Saturday's A-League R15 game
  • Under 2.5 goals has landed in City's last five games
  • The only previous meeting between the teams ended in a draw
  • The match is scheduled for kick off at 3.00pm AEDT on Saturday January 18
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Auckland FC Melbourne City A-League Men
Auckland host City on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)


Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Tips & Predictions


It's a blockbuster top-of-the-table showdown in the first of three A-League games on Saturday as Auckland FC welcome Melbourne City to Go Media Stadium.

  • Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Tips & Predictions
  • Head To Head
  • Auckland FC Form
  • Auckland FC Team News
  • Melbourne City Form
  • Melbourne City Team News
After a historic start to the season, Auckland's form has tailed off over the last month or so, with the Kiwi club winning just one of their last five games, while City have leapfrogged them to be outright top of the ladder and come into this clash on a three-game winning streak. Under 2.5 goals is backed as the best bet for this encounter, with City going under in five straight games and Auckland in their past two outings. A draw offers value in the H2H market after these two teams shared the spoils in their only previous contest back in Round 8.

  • City have seen Under 2.5 goals in their last five games
  • Auckland have seen Under 2.5 goals in their last two games
  • Auckland have failed to score in three of their last four games
  • City have drawn three of their last six games
  • The only previous clash between the sides ended in a draw

Head To Head


Just the only previous meeting between the teams and it was a dramatic one, with Auckland salvaging a 2-2 draw following an equaliser in the 95th minute at AAMI Park.

Auckland FC Form


The honeymoon period is over for Auckland - after compiling a six-match winning streak to launch their debut A-League season, they've only tasted victory in one of their last five outings.

Auckland's six-game winning run was snapped in emphatic fashion by Western United in a shock 4-0 upset at home. Steve Corica's side bounced back immediately with a 4-1 demolition of reigning premiers the Mariners, but it's been slim picking since then.

After failing to score in a 0-0 stalemate with Melbourne Victory on New Year's Day, Auckland obviously found their first big road trip to Perth daunting, with the club suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to the lowly side.

Auckland have now failed to score in three of their last four games heading into this contest.

Auckland FC Team News


Big blow for this clash, with captain Hiroki Sakai sidelined due to concussion, while Adama Coulibaly is suspended after receiving his marching orders in stoppage time in the defeat to Perth.

Melbourne City Form


Despite a growing casualty ward, City have stepped it up over the last month, with their youthful side putting together an impressive three-game winning streak coming into this encounter.

Unbeaten in their last seven overall, City have conquered Wellington Phoenix (2-0), Western United (2-0) and Brisbane Roar (1-0) to surge to the top of the ladder, keeping a clean sheet in all three victories.

Aurelio Vidmar's side are proving tough to break down and can even count themselves unlucky not to be further ahead on the ladder after they were denied all three points against Auckland in the 95th minute last month.

Melbourne City Team News


Still a host of first-team players sidelined for City, including Yonatan Cohen, Andreas Kuen, Marco Tilio, Andrew Nabbout, while Mat Leckie and James Jeggo remain in doubt.

Verdict

City keep punching above their weight with their youthful squad, while Auckland's form has certainly dropped, coming into this clash having lost on the road to struggling Perth.

With Auckland failing to score in three of their last four games and City's defence rock solid, I'm backing Under 2.5 goals for the best bet, while a draw offers value in the H2H market.

Best Bet1: Under 2.5 Total Goals $1.80 at Elitebet - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Draw H2H $3.35 at PlayUP - 1 Unit
Under 2.5
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Draw
H2H
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Betting Slip | 18 Jan 2025

Auckland FC v Melbourne City