Western United vs Melbourne City Tips & Live Stream - City to edge A-League semi-final first leg

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 15 May 2025

Andrew Hendrie 15 May 2025

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Western United vs Melbourne City predictions for Friday's A-League semi-final first leg
City won 7 of the last 8 encounters against Western
Western United in strong form, with a recent hat-trick from Noah Botic

Expired

Western United vs Melbourne City A-League Men

Western face City on Friday (Photo by Getty Images)

Western United vs Melbourne City Preview

Melbourne City earned the week off by finishing in second spot on the ladder during the regular season, while Western progressed to the semi-finals courtesy of their 3-2 triumph over Adelaide United in last week's elimination finals.

Western United vs Melbourne City Preview
Head To Head
Western United Form
Western United Team News
Melbourne City Form
Melbourne City Team News

I think City offer the value having won seven of the last eight meetings, including the last three to nil. I'm backing City to prevail in a low-scoring opening leg.

Melbourne City have won 7 of the last 8 meetings
Melbourne City have won the last 3 meetings to nil
Under 2.5 goals has landed in the last 3 meetings
Under 2.5 goals has landed in 13 of City's last 19 games

Head To Head

City have won seven of the last eight games between the teams, including 1-0 and 2-0 victories this season.

Western United Form

Western finished the regular season in third spot on the ladder, just one point their rivals Melbourne City.

John Aloisi's side have won eight of their last 10 games coming into this contest, including back-to-back home victories over Auckland FC and Sydney FC to end the campaign.

Coming into the finals with big momentum, Western managed to get the job done against an out-of-form Adelaide United at IronBark Fields, prevailing 3-2 and securing their spot in the semi-finals.

Young striker Noah Botic was the hero for Western, scoring his first professional hat-trick.

Western United Team News

James Donachie remains the only injury concern for Western ahead of this contest.

Melbourne City Form

Despite a horrific injury toll midway through the season, City ended the regular campaign in second spot on the ladder with 14 wins and just six defeats, along with six draws.

Courtesy of their second-place finish, City enjoyed the week off, advancing straight into the two-legged semi-finals.

City went unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 games of the season, including registering a thumping 5-1 victory over Sydney FC in their most-recent outing, which prevented the Sky Blues from making the finals.

City saw five different goalscorers in that win, with Aziz Behich, Marco Tilio, Max Caputo, Andeas Kuen and Medin Memeti finding the back of the net.

Melbourne City Team News

Still a few injuries for City, with the likes of Andrew Nabbout, James Jeggo and Steve Ugarkovic all unavailable.

Verdict

Western United v Melbourne City

Melbourne City have dominated this matchup in recent times, while they've also been involved in low-scoring affairs more often than not this season. I'll back City to edge it again.

Under 2.5

Total Goals

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