<p>After a quick international break, the A-League is back in business. This weekend will mark the fifth round on the 2025/26 season, with form lines starting to appear after a month of fierce competition.</p> <p>Auckland have picked up where they left off last year, as have Perth unfortunately for the Glory faithful. Meanwhile Brisbane find themselves in the top four, as they look to rectify the disappointing results of the last few seasons.</p> <p>Ahead of round 5 all eyes will be on the latest installment of the Big Blue between traditional A-League rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.</p> <p>Can Melbourne stop the rot? Or will high flying Sydney continue their hot streak that has seen them win their last three on the spin?</p> <p>For all the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this weekend’s action, check out our A-League Round 5 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide United vs Melbourne City Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, November 21, 7:35pm AEDT – Coopers Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A-League round 5 gets underway when Adelaide United welcome Melbourne City to Coopers Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>City are one of two teams yet to taste defeat this season, however they have not beaten Adelaide at Coopers Stadium since 2018.</p> <p>That’s 10 games in a row without a win in the City of Churches for Melbourne and we’re not about to bet against this trend.</p> <p>That being said, we don’t fancy City to go completely belly up either, particularly joint leading goalscorer Max Caputo firing on all cylinders.</p> <p>The 20-year-old young gun has four goals in as many games this season and looks odds on to make it five from five here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/adelaide-united-v-melbourne-city-9801195">1-1.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Max Caputo anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wellington Phoenix vs Macarthur FC Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, November 22, 3:00pm AEDT – Sky Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Macarthur are not only winless on the road this season, they’re also scoreless on it too.</p> <p>Add to that the fact they have lost three of their last four across the ditch to Wellington and it becomes hard to make a case to back them here.</p> <p>The Phoenix have been far from on fire themselves, but their new sticker Ifeanyi Eze has been. He has hit the ground running in his debut A-League season with three goals in his first four games and should have enough quality to fire Wellington home at home.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/wellington-phoenix-v-macarthur-fc-9801258">1-0 Wellington.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ifeanyi Eze first goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, November 22, 5:00pm AEDT – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Western Sydney are probably wandering where it’s all gone wrong. They sit second last and are winless to start the season.</p> <p>Pressure is now mounting on Alen Stajcic, particularly after their first round Australia Cup exit. We’re tipping the fifth placed Mariners to put another nail in the coffin of the embattled Wanderers coach here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/western-sydney-wanderers-v-central-coast-mariners-9801215">2-0 Mariners.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Alfie McCalmont anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, November 22, 7:35pm AEDT – Leichhardt Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The headline fixture of A-League round 5 sees traditional rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory clash in the latest instalment of the ‘Big Blue’.</p> <p>In a change of pace, they’ll play this one in the suburban surroundings of Leichhardt Oval, which should ensure a packed house and an electric atmosphere.</p> <p>Historically both sides have more often than not occupied the upper echelons of the ladder, however that is not the case so far this season for one of these sides.</p> <p>While Sydney are living up to their reputation as a perennial powerhouse, the wheels have come off the Victory wagon in alarming fashion.</p> <p>They sit in 9th, with just the one win to show for their troubles so far this season. That lone victory came against cellar dwellers Perth, so it’s nothing to write home about.</p> <p>Meanwhile Sydney sit second after a sizzling streak that has seen them win their last three on the spin by an aggregate score of 7-1.</p> <p>Al Hassan Toure is the man in form at the moment and his hat-trick against the Jets a few weeks back saw him earn a maiden Socceroos call up.</p> <p>He'll be the man to watch should he back up from international duty, as will Joe Lolley who will be looking to supply the ammo from out wide.</p> <p>Forget a big blue, this could be a big blowout if Victory are not very, very careful.&nbsp; One head coach Arthur Diles might not survive.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/sydney-fc-v-melbourne-victory-9801188">3-0 Sydney.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Toure and Lolley anytime goalscorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, November 23, 1:00pm AEDT – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sunday starts with a huge test for the rapidly regenerating Roar when they travel across the ditch to take on table-toppers Auckland FC.</p> <p>This will be an excellent opportunity for Brisbane to see where they are truly at. They find themselves fourth after an impressive 3-0 win over Newcastle last start.</p> <p>Auckland won both fixtures against the Roar last season 2-0 and while we think Brisbane have somewhat closed the gap, over in NZ we don’t they will have made up enough ground on the reigning Minor Premiers.</p> <p>Also, keep an eye on Auckland offseason recruit Sam Cosgrove who has hit the ground running in the A-Lague. Three goals in his first four games have him earmarked as an early contender for this season’s Golden Boot.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/auckland-fc-v-brisbane-roar-9801201">2-1 Auckland.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sam Cosgrove first goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Jets vs Perth Glory Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, November 23, 5:00pm AEDT – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of A-League Round 5 sees the Newcastle Jets welcome serial strugglers Perth Glory to McDonal Jones Stadium on Sunday.</p> <p>Dead last and winless, Perth remain borderline untippable, but there’s nothing to be excited about when it comes to Newcastle either. This one has bore draw written all over it.</p> <p>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/newcastle-jets-v-perth-glory-9801189">0-0.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match goals.&nbsp;</p>