Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview

Our A-League betting expert, Matthew O’Regan, is on hand to deliver his Melbourne Victory vs Sydney prediction, tips and best bets preview.

Four time A-League champions Melbourne Victory currently sit second, level on points with current leaders Wellington Phoenix. They host fellow four-time A League champions Sydney FC who are hoping to remain in playoff contention.

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Prediction and Tips Preview

1. Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 1: Over 3.0 Asian Goal Line
2. Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 2: Joe Lolley To Score Anytime
3. Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 3: Melbourne Victory to Win

In this article:

• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Team News
• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Stats Preview
• How to watch Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC
• Safer Gambling

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Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 1: Goals Galore

Australia , A League, Friday, January 26th, 08:45 (UK)

Both sides have entertained the masses this season, with Tony Popovic’s Victory side seeing an average of 3.15 goals per90 and Ufuk Talay’s Sydney seeing 3.69 goals per game.

When looking at xG, Melbourne is averaging 2.04 per home game – the third-highest in the league. In their five games at AAMI Park, Victory have scored 12 goals, scoring in every home game, scoring 2+ in 3/5. In fact, they’ve scored in 12/13 games this season, with the only blank coming away at rivals Melbourne City.

Sydney sits at the top of the league in terms of xG, accumulating an average of 2.23 per game. Away from home, they still have the most, amassing an average of 1.84. Their games are averaging 3.69 goals per game, with this average augmented away from home (4.00).

Since the appointment of Ufuk Talay, Sydney has witnessed a massive improvement – both in performances and for goals, with these ten games seeing 4.1 goals on average.

In their last five games, Sydney has scored 17 goals, scoring 2+ in all of these.

While over 2.5 goals has landed in just 2/5 Melbourne Victory home games, it has landed in 5/6 (83%) of Sydney away games, including the visit to Melbourne Victory earlier in the season, which ended in a 3-0 home win.

With two teams who have shown their attacking impetus, don’t be surprised to see goals galore here in Melbourne.

• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 1: Over 3.0 goal line (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.875
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 2: Lovely Lolley

Since arriving in Australia from Nottingham Forest in 2022, Lolley has become a firm fan favourite in New South Wales. The 32-year-old has recorded 33 goal contributions in 47 games and has gone from strength to strength.

Last season, he notched six goals and seven assists in 29 games, but has already beaten that tally this season with nine goals and 11 assists in 18 games. With five goals in his last five, it’s fair to say the Englishmen is in fine fettle.

His shot volume plays an important part in his goal tally, with the 32-year-old averaging a mammoth 5.47 shots per game, 2.17 of these being on target.

With confidence flowing and an obvious eye for goal, odds of 3.60 presents value for Lolley to add to his goal tally on Friday.

• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 2: Joe Lolley to Score Anytime
• Best Odds: 3.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 3/10

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 3: Victory for Victory

Despite banging the Sydney drum and pointing out their mass improvement under Ufak Talay, I am actually siding with the hosts for the victory.

Popovic’s side ranks top for points per game at home (2.2), having won three and drawn two of their five home games. One of these draws was 1-1 against Wellington Phoenix- a game in which the visitors failed to register a single shot. Melbourne have also won every home game on xG, and are unlucky not to have a flawless record.

Sydney’s away form, on the other hand, is a prime example of inconsistency, winning two and losing four of their six away games. They are also yet to keep an away clean sheet and have previous at the AAMI Park this season, having lost 3-0 in December.

• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Tip 3: Melbourne Victory to Win
• Best Odds: 2.15
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Fc Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00 , January 21st 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Team News Preview: Formidable Fornaroli Missing

Melbourne Victory have a fully fit squad to call upon, with their only absentee star talisman Bruno Fornaroli, who is on international duty with Australia. With 13 goals in just ten starts, the absence of the A-League legend is sure to be felt, but Melbourne Victory have enough firepower without him.

Despite having no players on international duty, Sydney FC are still missing four players through injury. Robert Mak, Aaron Gurd, Joel King and Jack Rodwell are expected to miss out.

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Melbourne Victory vs Sydney Stats Preview: Feisty Fixture

• The last five H2Hs have seen an average of five cards
• Melbourne Victory average 2.13 cards per game
• Sydney average 1.73 cards per game
• Sydney draw 2.0 cards per away game
• Melbourne Victory draw 3 cards per home game

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How To Watch

• Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC, A League.
• Date and Time: Friday, January 26th, 08:45 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): TNT SPORTS

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SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.