Betfair Official Blog

A-LEAGUE BETTING GROWS

As their name might suggest, Melbourne Victory have rewarded punters following them in A-League betting, since the competition was formed in 2005.

Melbourne are by far the best supported team in the league, with an average attendance of more than 26,000, and attract plenty of informed bets. In the short history of the league, the club has landed the odds on a number of occasions.

Victory were the first team to complete an A-League betting double, clinching the 2006-07 premiership then going on to take the championship with a 6-0 thrashing of Adelaide United at a sold-out Telstra Dome thanks to five goals from Archie Thompson.

Melbourne were also the first team in the competition's history to score 100 goals, reaching the mark after 65 games.

And those with bets on Victory's strikers to take the Golden Boot for top scorer have been rewarded, with Thompson the joint-winner in 2005-06 and Danny Allsopp winning the award the following season.

The pair lead the overall scoring charts since the league was formed, with Newcastle Jets' Joel Griffiths third thanks to his efforts last season, when he scored a league-record 12 goals.

But Ernie Merrick's side have not had things all their own way, as the three A-League seasons played have produced three different champions.

Sydney FC, inspired by the presence of former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke, won the inaugural title while the Newcastle Jets beat the Central Coast Mariners - making their second Grand Final in three seasons - in 2007-08.

That season saw the introduction of the Wellington Phoenix, who proved to be particularly bad travellers - they lost seven of their 11 games this side of the ditch and only scored 10 goals away from home.

Punters have not had much joy following home teams in A-League betting.

In 2005-06 and again last season, no team won more than half of their home fixtures meaning bets on home bankers rarely exist.

It proved difficult to pick winners in 2007-08, as going into the final round, four clubs - Sydney FC, Central Coast, Newcastle and Queensland Roar - were all on equal points which was reflected in the odds in Betfair's open A-League betting

One of the most notable signings by any club was the Coast's capture of Socceroos hero John Aloisi. He repaid their faith, and their money, by scoring seven goals in his 12 matches in 2007-08 for an impressive average of 0.58 per game.

A-League betting is clearly going from strength to strength so keep a close eye on the changing odds with Betfair.