Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC: Forecast, Odds and Bets
The second leg of the A-League semi-final is set for Saturday, 17 May 2025, with kick-off at 11:35 CEST in Italy, Germany, France and Spain, and 10:35 BST in the UK. This fixture carries extra intrigue after a thrilling first leg, as both sides head into this match in search of a pathway to the grand final.
Expect a charged atmosphere as Melbourne Victory travel to face an in-form Auckland FC side that has been smashing attendance records at Go Media Stadium. With high stakes on the line, this encounter promises to be a captivating display of A-League quality.
How are both teams coming into this?
Melbourne Victory arrive here buoyed by a solid run of form in the closing stages of the regular season, blending a disciplined defence with a direct attacking style. They have shown resilience on the road, but will need to be wary of Auckland FC’s electric home support and fast transition play.
Auckland FC, the so-called “party crashers” of this year’s playoffs, have ridden a wave of momentum thanks to key performances from Francis de Vries at the back, reliable shot-stopping from Alex Paulsen, and the attacking flair of Guillermo May. Veteran fullback Hiroki Sakai has added leadership and experience, making Auckland a formidable opponent at Go Media Stadium.
Our forecast
We anticipate a tight contest in which both teams will test each other’s defensive resolve. Melbourne Victory’s ability to control possession may be countered by Auckland’s quick breaks and set-piece threat, suggesting a match that could see goals at both ends.
With home advantage and crowd backing, Auckland FC are marginal favourites to edge this second leg. A draw or a narrow win for either side looks most likely, so bettors might consider options like both teams to score or under 2.5 goals for value.
