A-League: City need a response at unbeaten Western

Western United will be targeting their first win of the season when they take on Melbourne City on Monday night.

John Aloisi's side have begun the 2024/25 A-League campaign with a couple of draws and could do with the three points.

City, meanwhile, have been licking their wounds following a derby defeat against Melbourne Victory last week and a reaction is needed at AAMI Park.

They can be backed at 7.00 to go all the way and win the grand final, but they cannot afford to lose any more ground on the pacesetters so early in the season.

It may only be Week 3 of the new season, but there is already a lot on the line for both these sides and it is a game neither can afford to lose.

. What: Western United v Melbourne City
. Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
. When: 18:00 (AEST) Monday 4th November
. How to watch: Paramount +
. Odds: Western United 3.40, Draw 3.75, Melbourne City 2.00

Western aim for the three points

Western United have kicked off the season with a couple of solid 1-1 draws.

Considering they had to travel to take on Wellington Phoenix and then play Western Sydney Wanderers, staying unbeaten is nothing to be sniffed at.

City now represent another big challenge and, although another draw would not be a disaster, three points will be the order of the day.

The recent matches between these two sides have been tight, and another 1-1 draw cannot be ruled out and such a scoreline can be backed at 7.50.

Western will have been delighted to see new signing Hiroshi Ibusuki grab his first A-League goal for the club against Western Sydney.

The strike ace is proven at this level and is priced at 7.00 to score the first goal in this game, while he is 3.00 to grab a goal at anytime.

Four of the last six meetings between these two sides have seen both teams get on the scoresheet and both teams to score on Monday night is priced at 1.53.

City need to tighten up

City slipped to a 3-1 derby defeat against Victory last week, when their performance at the back came in for heavy criticism.

They found themselves 3-0 down after 25 minutes and it could have been more had VAR not come to the rescue.

It is important they tighten up in defence and find their form in front of goal at the same time.

They have only hit the back of the net on two occasions across their opening two matches, with Andrew Nabbout and Marco Tilio getting a goal each.

Nabbout is 2.62 to score at anytime, while Tilio is 3.40 to do the same.

Five of the last six meetings between these two teams have produced over 2.5 total goals and the same happening again is priced at 1.61.

Meanwhile, under 2.5 goals is available at 2.30.

bet365 News Team

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