2025-26 A-League Season Preview & Predictions

The 2024/25 A-League season saw a seismic showdown between both Melbourne clubs result in a win for City, as they clinched their 2nd A-League title. Anticipation ahead of any new A-League season is always high but with the World Cup pending in the winter of 2026, it feels like another huge season for Australian soccer.

While City took the crown last year, the campaign marked a huge step forward for Melbourne Victory, who will be amongst the favourites to challenge for the title again this term. Auckland FC made all of the running in the regular season, only to come up short in the post-season playoffs but they should be better for that experience, and they shouldn’t be too far away this time around.

In addition, both Sydney FC and cross-city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers should also be bang in the mix this term, while improvements should be expected from the likes of Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar.

A big season of A-League action awaits and with the first games getting underway on the weekend of 17-19th October, anticipation surrounding the 2025/26 A-League season is hotting up.

Here are our A-League 2025/26 season tips:

A-League Season Preview & Predictions

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Outright Winner

Auckland FC- $4.50

Not much was expected of Auckland FC at the beginning of last season but how the A-League new boys impressed last term. They cruised to the league leaders shield win, before coming unstuck in the playoffs, in a defeat that felt tough to take in the context of the season. That said, Auckland will have been able to take plenty of positives from last season, and they have largely kept the same squad together. Resilience on the road, coupled with free-flowing football at home was key for Auckland last term and if they continue that, they could be tough to stop this time around.

Melbourne City- $5.00

It was Melbourne City’s turn to come good when it matters last season, having been undone by that trait plenty of times in the past. Euphoric scenes met their final win over Melbourne Victory, as they clinched the 2nd A-League title in the club’s history. For large patches of last season, City looked to be a little lost, but they pieced it together when it mattered and the depth and quality of their squad at this level can’t be questioned. They will have a target on their back as defending champions, but Melbourne City shouldn’t be too far away again this term.

Sydney FC- $5.50

Improvements are needed at Sydney FC following a disappointing campaign last time out, but they shouldn’t have too many expectations to deal with this term. Cracking the post season picture will be key for Sydney FC, who were way off the pace last time out and if they do, who knows how far they can go. They remain one of the best resourced sides in the league and with some excellent players in their ranks, they could be tough to stop if things click.

Melbourne Victory – $6.50

Losing in the final of the 2025 A-League Grand Final will have hurt Melbourne Victory fans for the past few months but a new campaign does of course present a new opportunity. Few expected Victory to be challenging for the title last term but they exceeded pre-season predictions, and they are a side that have improved during the off-season. Extra motivation should be served from how close they came last season and Melbourne Victory are certainly a team to keep an eye on.

A-League – Outright Winner

Betting Tip: Melbourne City to win the A-League title @ $5.00

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GOLDEN BOOT WINNER

Adam Tagggart – Perth Glory – $6.00

Adam Taggart’s consistency across the A-League has been remarkable over the past few seasons and he will be looking to help Perth Glory once again this term. He was firmly in the Golden Boot race last season, and he should be in the mix again this term.

Joe Lolley – Sydney FC – $8.00

Former Nottingham Forest forward Joe Lolley is a proven performer in the A-League, and he will be hoping to have an even better season in 2025/26. He fits well into the Sydney FC system, and he managed 9 goals last season from a right-wing position.

Kosta Barbarouses – Wellington Phoenix – $10.00

Veteran playmaker Kosta Barbarouses was in fine fettle last term for Wellington Phoenix, and he will be looking for a repeat showing this season. The enigmatic Greek forward is one of the most composed customers in the division and he will be looking to bag plenty more goals this term.

A-League – Golden Boot

Betting Tip: Adam Taggart to win the A-League Golden Boot @ $6.00

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TO Finish Botton

Nobody wants the wooden spoon, and it should be a real battle to avoid such ignominy this season:

Perth Glory- $2.50

With just 4 wins recorded all season, Perth Glory seriously struggled last term, and things do need to change this time around. Having a young playing squad will have hindered them last season but could pay dividends this time around and there certainly is room for improvement on the West coast this season.

Brisbane Roar – $3.00

It was also a tough season for Brisbane Roar last term, who suffered plenty of key injuries throughout the campaign but who only managed to bag 5 wins from 26 games played. There is cause for optimism this time around though and they will be desperate to avoid a wooden spoon scrap where possible.

Central Coast Mariners – $3.25

2024 champions Central Coast Mariners have seen the skeleton of their squad from that triumph disappear in a very short space of time and they look to be under the pump this time around. They too struggled for consistency and results last season and they will need to get off to a fast start if they want to avoid another campaign languishing at the foot of the table.

A-League Wooden Spoon

Betting Tip: Central Coast Mariners to finish bottom of the table @ $3.25

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Sports Writer

Sam Hayes

Combining his sports coaching career with freelance journalism, Sam is a sports betting writer for various online publications.

He is looking to develop both his respective coaching and writing careers, whilst incorporating his other huge passion - travelling the world.

Sam currently lives and works in Milan, Italy and playing/following/writing about cricket, football (soccer), tennis, formula 1 and golf continue to take up much of his spare time.