Melbourne Victory - Newcastle Jets Betting Preview: Backing Heskey to provide a goalfest in Victoria

Dec 27, 2012 12:40:00 PM

Two of the league's biggest names meet at AAMI Park on Friday, and Al Hain-Cole expects the visitors' in-form English striker to help ensure a high-scoring match

Friday’s A-League encounter between Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets sees two of the division’s original members go head-to-head, in search of the three points that will take them closer to title contention.

Victory have recovered from a poor start to the season in recent weeks, and have now only lost once in their last eight fixtures to leave them in third place in the table.

Ange Postecoglou‘s men are unbeaten in five matches at home, and are favourites at 4/6 (1.67) with Paddy Power to come out on top against the Jets.

Although they currently have just one win in six, the Jets have emerged victorious in the last two encounters between these two sides, and are available at odds of 18/5 (4.60) to make it a hat-trick with victory in this one.

These teams have recorded no draws in their last six encounters, but are available at odds of 3/1 (4.00) to produce a stalemate at AAMI Park.

Regardless of whether they win any trophies this season, both of these sides are sure to keep crowds entertained around the festive period.

Only bottom club Sydney and Friday’s opponents Newcastle have conceded more goals than Melbourne this season, while just the top two have scored more times than the hosts.

A bet on over 2.5 goals to be scored would have paid out in the last four fixtures between these two clubs, not to mention 18 of their last 24 matches this season, and odds of 4/6 (1.67) are not to be missed on that run being extended.

Emile Heskey was rather a figure of fun towards his final years in England, but his record since moving Down Under sees him feared as one of the A-League's deadliest strikers.

The former Liverpool forward has six goals to his name in just 12 games so far this season, and he was instrumental in ending Gary Von Egmond’s team's losing streak in his previous outing.

Considering the hosts will be missing experienced defenders Mark Milligan and Adrian Leijer, it makes sense to back the former England international to hit the back of the net in Victoria, at generous odds of 15/8 (2.88).

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Over 2.5 goals at 4/6 (1.67) with Paddy Power

Heskey to score anytime at 15/8 (2.88) with Paddy Power

Sign up with Paddy Power for up to £250 in free bets

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.

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