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Our Australian A-League betting expert, Matthew O’Regan, gives us his Melbourne City vs Adelaide United predictions, tips and best bets preview as last year’s beaten finalists host last year’s beaten semi-finalists Adelaide United at AAMI Park.
In 2023, we saw three games between these sides, with a 3-3 draw followed by Adelaide’s 4-2 and 6-0 victories. City hopes to make amends in what should be a mouthwatering tie.
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Australia, A-League, Thursday, January 25th, 08:45 (UK)
Both teams are surprisingly outside the playoff places after a disappointing start to the season, with the sides sitting eighth and seventh, respectively. A win from either should see them into the playoffs and will provide a platform to build off as the season progresses.
Despite their poor start to the season, Carl Veart’s side is the current league’s top scorer, with 27 goals scored in just 13 games. A key player in this attacking form is Japanese forward Hiroshi Ibusuki, who has seven goals in just nine starts.
The 32-year-old has come into his own in recent weeks and is fresh off of a hat-trick in Adelaide’s dramatic 4-3 over Sydney. This made it six goals in five starts for the talisman.
He has shown a critical eye for goal, hitting a staggering 4.09 shots per 90, hitting 1.36 of these on target.
Playing against a Melbourne side that has conceded 21 goals and kept just three clean sheets this season, Ibusuki will fancy his chances of adding to his goal tally.
Much was made of Nestory Irankunda’s significant move to Bayern Munich, and rightly so. The 17-year-old is a supremely talented winger. Possessing a lightning pace, the diminutive winger is a real handful for defenders with his trickery and guile. This often leads to him being targeted by opposition fullbacks.
As he is still young, naivety and immaturity are bound to rear its head, and that is often the case with Irankunda. In 790 minutes played this season, the winger has been shown three yellows and one red, with two coming in his last five.
Despite not starting a game last season, the 17-year-old picked up seven yellows, often for cheap, niggly fouls or for dissent. Now, as more of a regular in the side, you would expect Irankunda to find himself cautioned more often.
I mentioned Irankunda’s ability coupled with his naivety in the last Melbourne City vs Adelaide United prediction. I am banking on that being the case again this week as the youngster looks to continue his hot streak in front of goal.
The 17-year-old became renowned as a super-sub last campaign, notching five goals in 19 substitute appearances. This year, Irankunda has scored two goals in 12 matches (nine starts) as he looks to establish himself in the Adelaide side.
One thing he does not lack is confidence. Irankunda has shown he is not afraid to shoot, averaging 3.76 shots per 90, with 1.25 of these on targets. He is also averaging 0.21 xG per90.
Melbourne City vs Adelaide United Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12;00, January 21st, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Despite just four players from the domestic league being called up, both sides are without a player due to their participation in the Asia Cup with Australia. Young goalie Joe Gauci misses out for Adelaide, while veteran left-back Aziz Behich is missing for the hosts.
City will remain without Matthew Leckie, Marin Jakolis and Samuel Souprayen due to injury. Adelaide United will be without teen sensation Musa Toure and centre-back Lachlan Barr who are both on the sidelines.
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