A-League: Saturday match previews

There are three big games to look forward to on Saturday, including the ‘Big Blue’ between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

There is no love lost between the two sides and it is the perfect way for them to get their A-League campaigns underway.

Melbourne City, who are the hot fancies at 3.60 to win the grand final this season, also get their campaign underway against Western United.

To wrap up a bumper day of action in the A-League, Macarthur FC will entertain Brisbane Roar.

Both sides are tipped to struggle this season, so it is important they get off to a strong start.

Let’s take a closer look at Saturday’s action.

Close encounter expected in Sydney

What	Macarthur FC v Brisbane Roar
Where	Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
When	14:30 (AEST) Saturday 21st October, 2023
How to watch	Paramount+
Odds	Macarthur FC 2.45, Draw 3.60, Brisbane Roar 2.62

Making the top six and playing finals would be a huge success for either of these clubs, so it is important they get off to solid starts.

Both games were close last season, with Macarthur winning this fixture 3-2, while the clash in Brisbane finished 0-0.

It is likely to be another close game on Saturday, and the Bulls will be hoping home advantage can swing it their way.

We may not get the five-goal thriller like last season, but over 2.5 goals in the game can still be backed at 1.61.

Macarthur will hand an A-League debut to new signing Valere Germain, and he can be backed at 2.37 to score a goal at anytime.

City tipped for flying start

What	Melbourne City v Western United FC
Where	AAMI Park, Melbourne
When	16:30 (AEST) Saturday 21st October, 2023
How to watch	Paramount+
Odds	Melbourne City 1.57, Draw 4.33, Western United FC 5.25

Melbourne City dominated the regular season in 2022/23 and can be backed at 3.50 to win the minor premiership once again in the season ahead.

This fixture opened up last season as well with City edging out Western 2-1 in a tight encounter. The same scoreline on Saturday can be backed at 8.50.

Out of the six games played at AAMI Park, City have won four of them, while Western have won two.

Jamie MacLaren was the A-League’s top goalscorer last season and he is available at 3.40 to grab the first goal of the game.

Western have built their game plan around a solid defence, and it will get an early examination on Saturday. However, they can be backed at 7.00 to keep a clean sheet.

Bragging rights and points at stake

What	Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Where	Allianz Stadium, Sydney
When	16:45 (AEST) Saturday 21st October, 2023
How to watch	Paramount+, 10Bold
Odds	Sydney FC 2.00, Draw 3.75, Melbourne Victory 3.40

There is no stronger rivalry in the A-League than the one that exists between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

Both games were tight last season, but Sydney FC won them both on their way to a finals appearance, while Victory missed out on the top six.

Sydney won this same fixture 1-0 last season, and also picked up a 2-1 win in Melbourne.

The season before, Victory won 3-2 in Sydney and that would do very nicely once again.

It could be another open, entertaining affair, and over 2.5 goals can be backed 1.72.