Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Tips & Live Stream - Value on under 2.5 goals in tight A-League contest

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 17 Jan 2025

Andrew Hendrie 17 Jan 2025

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Auckland FC vs Melbourne City predictions for Saturday's A-League R15 game
The sides meet in a top A-League match
A tight game with under 2.5 goals is predicted

Expired

Auckland host City on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)

Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Preview

The top two sides meet on Saturday and I'm expecting this A-League showdown to be a tight affair. Under 2.5 goals is the best bet and I'll take the value on available on a draw and a share of the points.

Auckland FC vs Melbourne City Preview
Head To Head
Auckland FC Form
Auckland FC Team News
Melbourne City Form
Melbourne City Team News

Auckland have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 2 games
Auckland have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 games
The only previous clash between the sides ended in a draw
Melbourne City have drawn 3 of their last 6 games
Melbourne City have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 5 games

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

After compiling a six-match winning streak to launch their debut A-League season, Auckland have 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 Central Coast 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 found their first big road trip to Perth daunting and suffered 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

Captain Hiroki Sakai is 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

Melbourne 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.

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

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

Verdict

Auckland FC v Melbourne City

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. A draw offers value in the H2H market.

Under 2.5

Total Goals

@4/5 - 2 Units

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Draw

Full-Time Result

@40/17 - 1 Unit

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