The Western Sydney Wanderers are the punters pick to win the 2013/14 A-League Championship. The Wanderers have firmed from $6 into $5 equal favouritism with Melbourne Victory at Sportingbet, but the club from Western Sydney has attracted more than double the amount of bets than any other team.
“Our punters have been piling on the Wanderers ever since they lost the grand final and they’ve been by far the best backed team,” Sportingbet’s Andrew Brown said.
“We took a bet of $4,000 for the Wanderers at odds of $6 back in July, but there’s also been more $5 and $10 bets for them than I’m willing to count,” Brown said.
Victory’s odds have eased from $4.50 to $5 due to the support for the Wanderers.
The Central Coast Mariners are $5.50 third favourites ahead of Sydney FC at $6.50 and Brisbane Roar at $7.
2013/2014 A-LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW WITH SPORTINGBET’S ANDREW BROWN
Western Sydney Wanderers ($5) – They’ve kept the core of the team that very nearly completed that fairytale debut season, but have also made a few good additions including Tom Juric and a potential top scorer in Brendon Santalab. Expect another top four finish.
Melbourne Victory ($5) – They’ve lost Flores and Rojas but new recruits Mitch Nichols and Kosta Barbarouses are both great additions. Chilean defender Pablo Contreras and fringe Socceroo James Troisi help make this a very formidable side. They’ll be tough to beat.
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Central Coast ($5.50) – Last season’ Premiers will be up there again but it’s going to be hard for them to go back to back as they’ve simply lost too many key players. While they have recruited well and will once again be well organised under coach Graham Arnold, it’s difficult to see them finishing top four.
Sydney FC ($6.00) – They’ve recruited solid performers Richard Garcia, Nick Carle and Pedj Bojic, aswell as young striker Corey Gamiero who would have had a big chance at being top goalscorer if he wasn’t missing the start of the season due to an injury sustained while filming an advertisement for fox sports! Might get off to a slow start but look good for a top four finish.
Brisbane Roar ($7.00) – Another team that has lost a few key players but they have also recruited well, signing Liam Miller, Diogo Ferreira, Dimitri Petratos and Socceroo Matt McKay. Should finish top four.
Perth Glory ($11.00) – They’ve gone for youth over experience this season and one of those youngsters, Jamie Maclaren, is a great chance of winning the Golden Boot. I think they can approve on last season’s sixth spot.
Adelaide United ($13.00) – With a new manager and a stack of changes, I think they’ll struggle this season. Sergio Cirio and Isaias Sanchez are the unknowns entities that could surprise.
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Newcastle Jets ($17.00) – The Jets struggled last season and it’s difficult to see them improving this year.
Wellington ($17.00 ) – They have a new manager in Ernie Merick and have got rid of a lot of players, but they also haven’t recruited too many new ones. While their first 11 is probably good enough to compete with any team, they have zero depth and will likely struggle this season.
Melbourne Heart ($19.00) – They finished 9th last season and again it’s hard to see much improvement. They have made wholesale changes, and of course one of the key buys is Harry Kewell – but I still think the Heart are in for a long season.