Bitesize Prediction: Western United vs Melbourne City – 16/05/25

Competition: A-League

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 4/7 @ Pribet

Getting their respective play-off semi-final adventures underway on Friday morning, Western United will welcome Melbourne City to Ironbark Fields.

Starting with the hosts, while Western United might have spent the whole of last season scrapping it out at the foot of the A-League table, John Aloisi’s side cemented their spot as one of Australia’s ultimate surprise packages this time around. Securing a sensational bronze medal finish and rightfully receiving a string of plaudits, the former Brisbane boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Booking their semi-final spot last week as they claimed an action-packed 3-2 win against Adelaide, Western United will know the importance of claiming a crucial first-leg advantage here. Signing off their regular-season campaign with a stellar 4-2 victory against newly-crowned champions Auckland, Friday’s hosts have won their previous three straight showdowns against A-League opposition by an aggregate score of 8-4. It should also be noted, Aloisi’s men have gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. In fact, Western United have won all of their previous six consecutive appearances at Ironbark Fields.

As for the visitors, booking a lucrative AFC Champions League return earlier in the month as they signed off their regular-season campaign with a dominant 5-1 victory against Sydney, Melbourne City have hit top gear at a crucial time of the season. Including an action-packed 3-2 win against Brisbane last month, Aurelio Vidmar’s side were unbeaten in all of their final six A-League appearances. Likewise, the Sky Blues have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 outings – a run that stems all the way back to February 7th. However, facing what looks set to be a stern challenge here, Melbourne have struggled to find much stability on their travels. Last seen away from AAMI Park playing out a 2-2 stalemate against Western Sydney, Friday’s guests have registered just a pair of wins from their last nine showdowns on the road. It should be noted, Vidmar’s camp have recorded just a single clean sheet on their travels since the start of November.

Bet: Both teams to score at Western United vs Melbourne City 4/7 for Friday’s A-League play-off tie @ Pribet