A-League: Macarthur FC Focus

Macarthur FC will embark on just their fourth A-League campaign in 2023/24 and will be out to make a big improvement on last season.

It was a season to forget as the appointment of former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke failed to work out, and the Bulls finished in 12th position on the ladder.

They could be in for another tough campaign, and finishing anywhere near the top six, would be viewed as a success.

Macarthur can be backed at 19.00 to win the A-League grand final this season.

A-League history

Macarthur have only played in the A-League for three seasons so they have to be given time to make a name for themselves.

The signs were good in their debut season, the 2020/21 campaign, when they finished sixth on the ladder and played finals.

However, the season after they just missed out when finishing seventh and experienced coach Ante Milicic opted to move on.

Macarthur hoped the appointment of Yorke would help to raise the profile of the club and take them up the ladder, but it was not to be.

Yorke also left following a poor run of results and Macarthur will now be coached by former Socceroos international Mile Sterjovski.

Macarthur have tasted some success when winning the Australia Cup in 2022, but it is success in the A-League that they really crave.

New signings for 2023/24

Like all A-League clubs, there has been plenty of comings and goings during the off-season at Macarthur.

They have swooped for tried and trusted A-League players with Clayton Lewis, Matthew Jurman and Raphael Borges Rodrigues arriving from Wellington Phoenix, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City respectively.

The Bulls have also snapped up some European quality with the experienced French forward Valere Germain arriving on a two-year deal.

The 33-year-old has played for top French sides Monaco, Marseille and Montpellier and will add goals and creativity to the Bulls side.

Just as important as the new signings, are the re-signings that Macarthur have made.

Last season’s player of the year Ivan Vujica has pledged his future to the club by penning a new two-year deal.

Not only that Daniel de Silva and Jake McGing have committed for one more season.

Opening 2023/24 fixtures

Macarthur will begin the 2023/24 A-League season with a home game against Brisbane Roar on Saturday 21st October.

Roar are expected to be a side on a similar footing to the Bulls this season, so it is a massive game, and one they need to get three points from.

Macarthur are priced at 2.45 to pick up the win, while Brisbane Roar are 2.62 to leave with all three points. The draw can be backed at 3.60.

The week after will be a tough test away at reigning premiers Central Coast Mariners, before they begin November with a home game against Western United.

To wrap up November Macarthur face both Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

First up is a daunting away trip to take on City, before Victory are the visitors to Campbelltown Stadium on Friday 24th November.

It is crucial that Macarthur get off to a strong start and those three home game in particular are huge and ‘must-win’ games.