2017-18 A-League: Grand Final Betting Tips
2018 A-League Grand Final Preview and Betting Tips
After arguably the most exciting and skilful season in the leagues history, the 2017/18 Hyundai A-League Grand Final is finally upon us. We were gifted two brilliant Semi-Finals last weekend, which decided that it will be the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory who will playoff for the silverware in the season finale.
Road to the Final
The Newcastle Jets have been the biggest surprise packet of the 2017/18 season and have enjoyed a fairy tale route to the Grand Final. They’ve been the poorest performing side in Australian Football for an extended period of time prior to this season’s turnaround. Here’s where the Jets have finished in the standings in the three most recent seasons; 2014/15 (10th), 2015/16 – (8th), 2016/17 – (10th).
This time last year the team was on vacation after finishing the season with the wooden spoon – fast forward 12 months and they’re hosting their first Grand Final in the Club’s history. It’s truly been a remarkable change of events. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Jets in their Semi-Final win over Melbourne City. They trailed 1-0 at the main break and looked low on confidence, but an absolute screamer by Riley McGree in the 57th minute followed by a Jason Hoffman goal in the 75th minute was enough to secure the comeback win and their place in the Grand Final.
Melbourne Victory didn’t have the best of regular season’s in 2017/18, finishing fourth behind Sydney, Newcastle, and Melbourne Victory. However, as they usually seem to do – they came up clutch when it was needed. They’re now headed to their third Grand Final in just the past four years. Their most recent appearance in the Final was last season when they lost to Sydney FC in penalties, whilst their last time as champions was in the 2014/15 season when they defeated Sydney FC.
After finishing fourth in the season standings, Victory hosted Adelaide United in their first final, where they prevailed 2-1 thanks to an 89th minute stunner from Besart Berisha. They were then dealt the impossible task of playing Sydney FC in Sydney, where they won 3-2 in extra time on the back of a sublime Terry Antonis goal in the 117th minute.
Prediction
The 2017/18 Hyundai A-League Grand Final promises to be one of the most tightly contested deciders in recent memory. Incredibly, all major Australian bookmakers have both teams at the same odds to win, which just goes to show how on the fence everyone is sitting.
Despite the even odds of finalists, we’re giving the advantage to Melbourne Victory. They’re no strangers to the big stage and have been the champions of Australia 3 times in the last 11 years, which is more than any other team in the league.
It’s been a remarkable season for the Newcastle Jets, but I believe Melbourne Victory will get the job done on Saturday Night.
TIP: Melbourne Victory to lift the cup – $2.00 at Sportsbet
