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Western Sydney Wanderers vs Macarthur FC Tips & Prediction - Macarthur can continue good form in WS derby

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Tue 30 Dec 2025 04:28

The New Year's Day A-League fixture sees the Western Sydney Wanderers take on Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium. Macarthur comes into the match with renewed energy, seated in the top six, thanks to recent consecutive wins. In contrast, Western Sydney Wanderers are struggling with just two wins this season, languishing in 11th place. With unpredictable A-League dynamics, Macarthur are favored, especially in the Double Chance market. Bozhidar Kraev of Macarthur is highlighted as a potentially crucial player, ready to improve his finishing skills in the match.

Andrew Hendrie 30 Dec 2025
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  • WS Wanderers vs Macarthur FC predictions for Thursday's A-League R11 game
  • Macarthur are in great form, unbeaten in 11 of their last 13 games
  • Wanderers anchored near the bottom of the ladder with just two wins, can't be trusted as favourites
  • Bozhidar Kraev backed as an outside chance to convert one of his many chances created
  • The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.00pm AEDT on Thursday January 1
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Wanderers Macarthur
Wanderers host Macarthur on Thursday (Photo by Getty Images)


Western Sydney Wanderers vs Macarthur FC Tips & Prediction


Macarthur FC will be hoping to consolidate their newly-found top six status when they face the lowly Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium in the A-League on New Year's Day.

It's been a hectic holiday period for Macarthur, but they've used it to their advantage, registering two wins and a draw in the space of seven days to propel themselves up to fifth spot on the ladder heading into Round 11. The Bulls' confidence is sky-high following their pulsating 5-4 triumph over Australia Cup champions Newcastle on Boxing Day and now they will be looking to extend that winning momentum into 2026. Meanwhile, the Wanderers will be hoping a new year brings new fortunes after a dismal start to the season that has seen them record just two wins and has left them languishing in 11th place on the table.

It's the A-League, so anyone can beat anyone, but it's tough to justify the Wanderers as favourites given their current form. These two sides shared the spoils earlier this season, so I'm liking Macarthur in the Double Chance market, which then covers us if the Bulls win, which wouldn't be surprising in the slightest. For Anytime Goalscorer, I'm going to take a punt on Bozhidar Kraev. The Bulgarian attacker ranks in the top 10 for chances created this season, but has been wasteful with his finishing, while he also hit the crossbar a couple of weeks ago vs Auckland. As good a game as any to convert one of his chances.
  • Wanderers have won just two of their 10 games this season
  • Macarthur are unbeaten in 11 of their last 13 games in all comps
  • These two teams drew 1-1 back in Round 3 this term
  • Macarthur have drawn two of their last four A-League games
  • Bozhidar Kraev has created 16 chances this season

Wanderers vs Macarthur Head To Head

These two teams played four times in 2025. Macarthur prevailed 3-2 on New Year's Day before the Wanderers notched up 2-1 and 3-1 victories during the back-end of last season. A 1-1 draw was played out in Round 3 this term, with Harry Sawyer opening the scoring before Anthony Pantazopolous equalised with 10 minutes remaining.

Western Sydney Wanderers Form Analysis

It's been a nightmare start to the season for the Wanderers and another defeat here could see Alen Stajcic given his marching orders.

Western Sydney have only managed two wins from the opening 10 rounds, sitting above only the Mariners on the table.

Attack remains the big issue at Wanderland - they've scored the fewest goals in the competition (8), despite a talented frontline that includes Kraev, Kosta Barbarouses, Alou Kuol, Brandon Borrello and Angus Thurgate.

The Wanderers did score twice through Borrello and Ayden Hammond in their most-recent outing against Adelaide - but the problem was they conceded three, including an injury-time winner to Johnny Yull.

Western Sydney Wanderers Team News

Squad will be announced closer to kick off.

Macarthur FC Form Analysis

Mile Sterjovski will be thrilled with how his Macarthur side are travelling heading into 2026.

The Bulls have advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League 2 and over the last week, hauled themselves up the A-League ladder into fifth spot.

It all started with a come-from-behind win over Brisbane (the Roar's first defeat since Round 2) before a point on the road against reigning champions Melbourne City.

Macarthur then emerged triumphant in arguably the most entertaining game of the season on Boxing Day, with Luke Vickery's 96th strike securing his side a 5-4 win over the Jets.

Dean Bosnjak also bagged a brace, Harry Sawyer notched up his fifth goal of the season to top the charts and Bernado opened the scoring in a successful night at the office for the Bulls.

Macarthur FC Team News

Squad will be announced closer to kick off.

Verdict

Macarthur are tipped to take at least a point over the struggling Wanderers, but Kraev can finally convert one of his many chances to find the back of the net.

Best Bet1: Macarthur Win or Draw Double Chance $1.95 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Draw H2H $3.75 at Playup - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Bozhidar Kraev Anytime Goalscorer $3.10 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: 1-1 Correct Score $8.00 at betr - 1 Unit
Macarthur Win or Draw
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Western Sydney Wanderers v Macarthur FC

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