A-League Round 18 Expert Tips & Predictions

For the first time this season, a side has begun to stretch away from the chasing pack in the A-League table, and the Newcastle Jets now have a lead to defend.

A win at Perth Glory, coupled with some results elsewhere, has given the Jets a four point lead at the top of the standings and they will be desperate to cling onto that for as long as possible.

Below them, Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Adelaide United are all struggling for consistency but there is plenty of time to things to turn over the coming weeks and months.

It is another big weekend of fixtures and here are our A-League tips for the next round of 2025/26 fixtures:

2025/26 A League Week 18 Predictions

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Adelaide United vs Perth Glory

Betting Tip: Adelaide United to win the match @ $2.25

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Adelaide United ($2.25)

Perth Glory ($3.00)

Draw ($3.90)

It has been a rollercoaster ride for Adelaide United of late, but they find themselves fourth in the A-League table and come into this one off the back of a great win at Sydney FC. Next up, is a home clash with Perth Glory, a side that have been improving massively this season, but who found the Newcastle Jets too hot to handle last time out. This should be a decent one, between two sides who try to get the ball down and play but Adelaide United should prevail at home.

Adelaide United to win 2-1

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Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC

Betting Tip: Auckland FC to win the match @ $1.80

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Wellington Phoenix ($4.33)

Auckland FC ($1.80)

Draw ($3.90)

Results continue to be hard to come by for Wellington Phoenix and next up they face the challenge of welcoming Auckland FC to town. Kiwi rivalry will be at the fore here and while the Phoenix have been showing small signs of improvement in recent weeks, they are still struggling down in tenth position. Auckland FC meanwhile have lost ground to Newcastle Jets in the title race, but they dug deep for a point at Sydney in midweek and should pick up a decent win here.

Auckland FC to win 3-1

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Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar

Betting Tip: Sydney FC to win the match @ $1.75

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Sydney FC ($1.75)

Brisbane Roar ($4.20)

Draw ($3.50)

Sydney FC have lost some serious ground in the title race over the past few game weeks, and they will be looking to get back on track here against Brisbane Roar. Sydney blew their game in hand in midweek and with some tricky games coming up, it feels like a very important period of the season for the blues. Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar have begun to find results hard to come by, following a fast start to the campaign but they picked up a decent point at Melbourne Victory last time out. This will be tighter than the odds suggest but Sydney FC look decent value for the win.

Sydney FC to win 2-1

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Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $3.50

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Melbourne City ($2.65)

Melbourne Victory ($2.60)

Draw ($3.50)

The Melbourne derby always gets tongues wagging and this one should be absolutely no different between City and Victory. Neither side has hit their straps this season, with City failing to build on their title win last year and Victory continuing their inconsistent form that has blighted them in recent years. Defensively, both teams have had their issues and with passions sure to run high, this could be a chaotic encounter, that ends all square, with plenty of drama to boot.

2-2 Draw

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Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $3.90

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Central Coast Mariners ($4.20)

Western Sydney Wanderers ($1.80)

Draw ($3.90)

The bottom two sides in the division meet here, as Central Coast Mariners host Western Sydney Wanderers and climbing away from trouble will be on the agenda for both. For Mariners, results and performances have been abject lately and they feel like a side that are in danger of seeing their season slip away, unless they address it now. For Western Sydney Wanderers, there is no doubt they are underachieving and they need to respond quickly. With very little confidence in either side though, this could be a drab draw on the Central Coast.

1-1 Draw

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Newcastle Jets vs Macarthur FC

Betting Tip: Newcastle Jets to win the match @ $1.85

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Newcastle Jets ($1.85)

Macarthur FC ($3.80)

Draw ($3.35)

It has been all about the Newcastle Jets of late and the league leaders will be looking to continue their incredible form against Macarthur FC. The Jets have a four point gap to those below them in the A-League table and they will be desperate to keep the chasing pack at bay. For Macarthur, this is a free hit against the in-form team in the league, and they will be desperate to put up a fight. However, nobody can live with the Jets at the moment, and another home win could be incoming.

Newcastle Jets to win 2-1

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2025/26 A League Week 18 multi bet

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We’re backing a treble this week, with a betting stake of $50:

Newcastle Jets vs Macarthur FC – Newcastle Jets
Adelaide United vs Perth Glory – Adelaide United
Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC – Auckland FC

Newcastle Jets, Adelaide United & Auckland FC @ $7.50

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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.