The five favourites to win the Australian A-League | OneFootball

The A-League action gets underway next month as Australia’s top-flight returns in October.

It promises to be another competitive campaign of action with just two points separating the top two in 2023/24. Central Coast Mariners prevailed to beat Melbourne Victory in extra-time in the Grand Final, having finished as the league’s top team during the home-and-away season.

Can the Mariners defend their crown and make it three-in-a-row? Or will there be a new name on the trophy this time around? For those interested in the bookmakers’ view we’ve used odds from Neds.com.au to rank the five favourites to win the Australian A-League.

The five favourites to win the Australian A-League

Western Sydney Wanderers – 6/1

Western Sydney Wanderers have been unable to build on their record-breaking introduction to the A-League. After reaching back-to-back Grand Finals in their first two seasons in 2013 and 2014, losing both, and three in four without being crowned A-League winners, the side has suffered a decline.

Optimism is back, however, with head coach Alen Stajcic confident his group is not far away. Wanderers have made one of the marquee signings of the close season with ex-Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata arriving as a free agent.

“I think a lot of the ingredients of this team were there,” Stajcic told the club’s official website.

“I don’t think this team was far away last year, to be honest. It’s an unbelievable playing group, there’s so much unity within the group, there’s so much humility within the group.

“It’s really about what is the vision for us as a group? What are we believing together as a group that we want to achieve and what are the players believing they can achieve? I think at this point in time, it’s early, and it’s always a honeymoon period preseason, so I’m not getting carried away, but I think we’ve got amazing buy in from the group.”

Sydney FC – 6/1

Sydney FC are targeting a record-extending sixth A-League triumph this season and first since 2020.

The Sky Blues have made a statement with the signing of Douglas Costa, with the 34-year-old joining from Fluminense. Winner of 11 league titles during spells at Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayern Munich and Juventus, he has real pedigree.

The performances of Joe Lolley will also go a long way to deciding Sydney’s fate. The ex-Nottingham Forest winger scored 11 goals in 2023/24 as Sydney reached the semi-finals.

Melbourne City – 5/1

Melbourne City suffered defeat in a Melbourne Derby elimination final last season and will be hoping to improve on that early exit from finals this time around.

City will be keen to exorcise the ghosts of back-to-back Grand Final defeats in 2022 and 2023, including a 6-1 thrashing by Central Coast Mariners in the latter of those deciders.

The loss of Tolgay Arslan is a big blow after last season’s leading scorer joined Japanese outfit Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Israel international Yonatan Cohen has arrived as his replacement.

Melbourne Victory – 9/2

Melbourne Victory are second-favourites with one of the A-League’s powerhouse clubs aiming for a first Grand Final success since 2018.

Victory endured heartbreak in the decider last season after leading 1-0 until stoppage time. Ryan Edmonson’s dramatic 91st-minute equaliser forced extra time before Central Coast Mariners claimed the title in the added period.

Much will hinge on the evergreen Bruno Fornaroli who scored 18 goals in 20 league appearances last season. At 37, he remains one of the most influential talents in the A-League.

Central Coast Mariners – 4/1

Central Coast Mariners are aiming for a third consecutive A-League triumph this season after back-to-back successes.

Under the management of ex-MK Dons boss Mark Jackson, Central Coast secured a second successive triumph last season, recovering from a nightmare start that saw the defending champions lose their opening four league fixtures.

Angel Torres led the way with 15 goals, while Ryan Edmondson was an inspired pickup from Carlisle United. The A-League champions then became the first Australian team to win the AFC Cup after beating Lebanon’s Al-Ahed in Muscat. The team to beat in 2024/25.

Read – The five favourites to win Serie A in 2024/25

See more – The five favourites to win the 2024/25 Carabao Cup

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