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Auckland FC and Western United will battle for three points in an Australian A-League matchday nine clash on Saturday (December 21st). The game will be played at Go Media Stadium.
The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw away to Melbourne City last weekend. They went behind to Medin Memeti's 18th-minute strike while Guillermo May equalized eight minutes into the second half. Nando Pijnaker's 79th-minute own goal restored Melbourne's lead but Neyder Moreno drew the game level in injury time.
Western United, meanwhile, claimed a 4-3 away win over Sydney FC. They claimed an early lead through Noah Botic's third-minute strike but were 2-1 down at the break courtesy of Adrian Segecic's goal. Abel Walatee, Rhys Bozinovski and Michael Ruhs scored second-half goals to help the visitors claim all three points.
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The win took John Aloisi's side to eighth spot in the standings, having garnered nine points from eight games. Auckland lead the way at the summit with 19 points.
Auckland vs Western United Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Four of Western United's last five league games have witnessed goals at both ends and also produced over 2.5 goals.
- Auckland are unbeaten in seven league games this season (six wins).
- Six of Western United's eight league games this season have seen both sides find the back of the net.
- Auckland have kept a clean sheet in five of their seven league games this season.
Auckland vs Western United Prediction
Auckland's remarkable start to their season means they still lead the way at the summit after seven games. However, they now hold just a two-point lead at the top. Steve Corica's side saw their six-game winning start to the season ended last week but they proved their mettle to snatch a point at the death against Melbourne City.
Western United, meanwhile, claimed only their second win of the season in eight games (three losses). Both games came on their travels which incidentally were their two most recent away games.
We are backing the home side to claim a comfortable victory with goals at both ends.
Prediction: Auckland 3-1 Western United
Auckland vs Western United Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Auckland to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Auckland have scored over 1.5 goals
