Finished
4
-0
Melbourne City - Western United FC
Australia A-League - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Prediction 1
First half - Melbourne City
28/25 (2.12)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Jamie Maclaren to score
31/20 (2.55)
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Odds from
*These betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Melbourne City vs Western United prediction, tips, and odds
Will Melbourne City extend their lead at the top of the A-League even further or will Western United cause an upset on Saturday? Let’s find out in our key Melbourne City vs Western United predictions below.
Contents
First half – Melbourne City
When you have the absolute best goalscorer in the league, you are always expected to win regardless of whom you face. And Western United are certainly not up to par with the heavyweights in this league. We expect Melbourne City to grab the three points in a rather easy game for them on Saturday. After all, the home team does have a slight head-to-head advantage with five victories, one draw, and four losses.
Jamie Maclaren to score
No other A-League player comes even remotely close to Jamie Maclaren’s sensational numbers this season. In just nine games, he managed to find the net on 12 occasions and with such a high-flying display, how can you not expect him to pile on the pressure on Saturday?
His last goals were in the last game versus Wellington Phoenix where he scored a lovely brace. He’ll undoubtedly be in the starting XI for coach Rado Vidosic and we anticipate a glamorous performance by the 29-year-old striker.
Exclusive Melbourne City vs Western United odds, stats, and markets
Head to Head
07/10/22
Australia A-League Australia
Melbourne City
Western United FC
2
1
28/05/22
Australia A-League Australia
Melbourne City
Western United FC
0
2
12/03/22
Australia A-League Australia
Western United FC
Melbourne City
2
2
29/01/22
Australia A-League Australia
Western United FC
Melbourne City
1
0
04/12/21
Australia A-League Australia
Melbourne City
Western United FC
0
1
Last Five - Melbourne City
19/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Macarthur FC
Melbourne City
1
1
D
12/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Brisbane Roar
Melbourne City
1
2
W
03/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Adelaide United
Melbourne City
4
2
L
25/02/23
Australia A-League Australia
Sydney FC
Melbourne City
2
3
W
18/02/23
Australia A-League Australia
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne City
3
2
L
Last Five - Western United FC
18/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Brisbane Roar
Western United FC
1
0
L
13/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Melbourne Victory
Western United FC
1
2
W
04/03/23
Australia A-League Australia
Perth Glory
Western United FC
1
2
W
25/02/23
Australia A-League Australia
Newcastle Jets
Western United FC
1
3
W
17/02/23
Australia A-League Australia
Wellington Phoenix
Western United FC
3
0
L
This section is reserved for the Melbourne City vs Western United betting odds and markets available out there:
Melbourne City odds: 31/50 (1.62) – 60.0%%
Draw odds: 13/4 (4.25) – 22.0%
Western United odds: 41/10 (5.10) – 18.0%
These Melbourne City odds for victory at 31/50 (1.62) say it all – there’s a 60% chance we’ll see a home victory on the 7th of January at AAMI Park. There’s a slight chance at 13/4 (4.25) and 22% that we might get to see a draw and with 41/10 (5.10) Western United odds, there’s only an 18% chance for victory for the visiting team.
Predicted lineups, team news, and last result
Melbourne City
The City Boys weren’t exactly dominant against Wellington Phoenix but they were efficient. And that’s the only thing that counts in football. With a rather lackluster performance, Melbourne City managed to poach the three points underneath Wellington Phoenix as Jamie Maclaren’s brace and Mathew Leckie’s equalizer proved decisive for Melbourne City to win the three points. We expect to see more of the same from this team in the next couple of games as the fight for the title is far from over.
Predicted lineup – Glover (GK), Talbot, Lam, Good, Bos, O’Neil, Berisha, van der Venne, Tilio, Leckie & Maclaren
Western United
Thank God it was Aleksandar Prijovic’s late 78th-minute equalizer in the game against Brisbane Roar otherwise coach John Aloisi would’ve gone home emptyhanded. Even with the home-field advantage on their side, John Aloisi’s players never looked dangerous enough for their opponents and they didn’t have plenty of good opportunities in the penalty area. With only four shots on target, it’s fair to say that goalkeeper Jordan Holmes didn’t have a very busy day.
Predicted lineup – Holmes (GK), Aldred, Neville, Chapman, Courtney-Perkins, Trewin, O’Shea, Knowles, Hore, Mileusnic & Armiento
Starting lineups
Melbourne City
Western United FC
*Starting lineups are usually announced 1hr before the kick-off
Player to watch: Jamie Maclaren
The 29-year-old Australian striker is the 2nd-most expensive player on Melbourne City’s roster. The only other player who outshines Jamie Maclaren in the financial department is Valon Berisha as the central midfielder is valued at approximately €2.90m.
Jamie Maclaren is A-League’s top goalscorer this season as he slid it past the goalkeepers on 12 occasions. He provided a teammate with an assist as well but his job is being the focal point of attack and as such, he couldn’t possibly do any better. Or can he?
A-League standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne City | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 22 | 41 |
| 2 |  Adelaide United | 21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 37 |
| 3 |  Western Sydney Wanderers | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 34 |
| 4 |  Central Coast Mariners | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 31 |
| 5 |  Wellington Phoenix | 21 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 31 |
| 6 |  Sydney FC | 21 | 8 | 3 | 10 | -6 | 27 |
| 7 |  Newcastle Jets | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | -9 | 25 |
| 8 | Western United FC | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | -10 | 25 |
| 9 |  Macarthur FC | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | -13 | 25 |
| 10 |  Perth Glory | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | -7 | 24 |
| 11 |  Brisbane Roar | 21 | 5 | 8 | 8 | -6 | 23 |
| 12 |  Melbourne Victory | 20 | 6 | 3 | 11 | -4 | 21 |
Interesting Melbourne City vs Western United Q&A:
- What’s the venue for this game? – This game is scheduled to be played at AAMI Park.
- When will the game be played? – The match will be played on Saturday, the 7th of January.
- Whom do the bookies favor? – They predict an effortless Melbourne City victory.
