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Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory Tips & Prediction - Injury-ravaged sides clash in top four showdown

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026 05:44

Auckland FC plays host to Melbourne Victory this Saturday at Go Media Stadium. Both clubs face injury challenges with key players like Juan Mata out for Victory and several Auckland players missing. Auckland aims to close the gap on league leaders Newcastle, while Victory must fend off an advancing Macarthur. Historically, these fixtures see only one team scoring, making the 'BTTS - No' prediction appealing. Given the circumstances and form, Victory holds decent value in the Double Chance market, with Charles Nduka presenting a betting opportunity.

Andrew Hendrie 10 Apr 2026
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  • Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory predictions for Saturday's A-League R24 game
  • Both teams have suffered injuries to key players ahead of this clash
  • BTTS - No has landed in all five previous meetings - trend tipped to continue at good value
  • The game is scheduled for kick off at 3.00pm AEDT on Saturday April 11
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Melbourne Victory Auckland A-League
Auckland host Victory on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)


Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory Tips & Prediction


Auckland FC play host to Melbourne Victory at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, with both teams suffering big injury blows last week.

Victory's midfield maestro Juan Mata suffered a fractured elbow and underwent surgery during the week - there's a decent chance the Spanish superstar will miss the remainder of the campaign. Meanwhile, Auckland are without Guillermo May, Michael Woud and Jake Brimmer following last week's 1-1 draw with Adelaide.

It's a huge game for both teams - Auckland are trying to chase down Newcastle at the top of the ladder and are currently three points adrift, while Victory find themselves just four points clear of seventh-placed Macarthur after last week's shock loss at home to Wellington.

Tricky game to predict with the injuries and both teams have lost a step lately. I'm going to follow a value trend and that's BTTS - No, which has landed in all five previous meetings. I find it hard to pick a winner here, so Victory in the Double Chance market is decent value. Charles Nduka keeps getting released at ridiculous prices with Unibet for a regular starting striker and has to be backed at $5.00 anytime.
  • BTTS - No has landed in the last five meetings
  • Victory are unbeaten in seven of their last eight games
  • Auckland have won just four of their last 11 games
  • Charles Nduka has scored in two of his last four games & has started striker in six of his last eight

Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory Head To Head

This will be the second meeting between the sides this season after their Round 1 clash ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Auckland FC Form Analysis

Auckland come into this encounter with a 11-7-5 record on the season and sitting in second spot on the ladder.

The Black Knights are bidding to secure back-to-back minor premierships and trail the Jets by three points at the top of the table.

The wins have dried up a bit lately for Auckland - they suffered an upset home loss to Macarthur before last week's 1-1 share of the spoils with Adelaide.

Felipe Gallegos equalised for Auckland in the second half in what was a fiery showdown at Coopers.

Auckland FC Team News

Auckland FC squad: 3.⁠ ⁠Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Jimmy HILTON, 14. Liam GILLION, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Finn MCKENLAY, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Bailey FERGUSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 50. Eli JONES, 52. Luka VICELICH, 57. Van FITZHARRIS  77. LACHLAN Brook

Melbourne Victory Team News

Victory head into this contest with a 10-5-8 record on the season after 23 rounds.

Arthur Diles' side are currently in fourth spot on the ladder, but in an interesting position - they can still challenge for a top two finish, but must also be careful of a resurgent Macarthur side in seventh.

Victory appeared to be rolling towards that aforementioned top two finish following back-to-back 4-1 wins over Macarthur and Central Coast, with Juan Mata pulling the strings from midfield.

However, in a huge blow, Mata suffered a fractured elbow after Victory suffered their first home loss to Wellington in nine years last week, going down 1-0. The Spanish veteran isn't expected to return before the finals and could miss the rest of the season.

Melbourne Victory Team News

Melbourne Victory FC Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 7. Reno PISCOPO, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Franco LINO, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 44. Charles NDUKA

Verdict

Only one team is tipped to score, following a trend of five straight games between these teams. Victory can avoid defeat across the ditch.

Best Bet1: BTTS - No Both Teams To Score $2.35 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Victory Win or Draw Double Chance $1.70 at NextBet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Charles Nduka Anytime Goalscorer $5.00 at Unibet Australia - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Victory 1-0 Correct Score $10.00 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
BTTS - No
Both Teams To Score
$2.35 - 2 Units
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