<p>Round 7 of the A-League is almost here and the premiership picture is slowly starting to come into focus.</p> <p>Sydney are sitting pretty in first, Roar are on the revival and Victory are not living up to their name.</p> <p>There’s no shortage of mouthwatering matchups this weekend, with proceedings to be headlined by the latest edition of the always fiery New Zealand Derby.</p> <p>Check out our A-League predictions for round 7 as the competition begins to take real shape heading into the summer stretch of games.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Macarthur FC vs Melbourne Victory Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 5, 7:35pm AEDT – Campbelltown Sports Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The opening clash of A-League round 7 brings together two sides who have fallen well short of expectations so far this season.</p> <p>Both Macarthur and Victory have looked disjointed in key moments, with neither able to find consistent fluency in attack. Their respective goal tallies, just four each, speaks volumes about their shared struggles in the final third.</p> <p>For Victory coach Arthur Diles, this match feels like a pivotal moment; another disappointing result may force difficult conversations in the boardroom.</p> <p>With home support behind them, Macarthur may be the team that finally sees Diles relieved of his duties.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/macarthur-fc-v-melbourne-victory-9877694">2-0 Macarthur FC.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Both teams to score – no.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Perth Glory vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 5, 9:45pm AEDT – HBF Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Interim coach Adam Griffiths has injected energy and belief into a Perth side that began the season sluggishly.</p> <p>His tactical tweaks have tightened the midfield and improved the side’s defensive structure, giving them the foundation for recent improved performances.</p> <p>Whether he earns the job full-time remains uncertain, but continued positive results will only strengthen his case.</p> <p>Western Sydney Wanderers arrive after an impressive and commanding win in the Sydney Derby, easily their best performance of the campaign. Back-to-back victories have lifted belief, yet inconsistency remains their long-term hurdle. Perth’s resurgence at home could continue here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/perth-glory-v-western-sydney-wanderers-9877697">2-1 Perth.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Adam Taggart anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 6, 3:00pm AEDT – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Both New Zealand clubs clash in round 7 in a derby that is fast becoming a highlight fixture on the A-League calendar, and this edition should be no different.</p> <p>Auckland enter the match stung by their shock home defeat to Newcastle, a performance that raised questions about their sharpness in both penalty areas.</p> <p>Wellington Phoenix, meanwhile, are beginning to look more cohesive, with their high-pressing style generating turnovers in dangerous areas.</p> <p>New import Eze has added real presence and seems tailor-made for derby battles. This fixture has historically suited Auckland, who may again find a way at home.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/auckland-fc-v-wellington-phoenix-9877702">2-1 Auckland.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ifeanyi Eze anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City FC Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 6, 5:00pm AEDT – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Newcastle’s surprise victory away to Auckland last week gave Mark Milligan’s young side a significant morale boost.</p> <p>Energetic and fearless, the Jets have the talent to trouble anyone but still lack the depth and consistency to control long stretches of games.</p> <p>Melbourne City, despite juggling Asian Champions League commitments, remain one of the competition’s technically superior squads and their young core continues to develop under pressure.</p> <p>If City manage their rotation smartly, they should have enough quality in the final third here to keep the Jets grounded.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/newcastle-jets-v-melbourne-city-9877726">2-0 Melbourne City.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Takeshi Kanamori first goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney FC Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, December 6, 7:35pm AEDT – Central Coast Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite sitting atop the table, Sydney FC were surprisingly flat in last week’s derby, where star man Joe Lolley, the early favourite for the Johnny Warren Medal, was effectively nullified.</p> <p>Expect a strong reaction from Ufuk Talay’s side, who rarely produce consecutive poor performances. Central Coast, however, have exceeded expectations with their organisation, commitment, and improved transitional play so this season.</p> <p>Their supporters will relish hosting a large travelling Sydney contingent in what should be a lively atmosphere in Gosford. The Mariners should be competitive here once again, but Sydney’s quality in the final third should be enough to ensure a swift bounce back for the Sky Blues.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/central-coast-mariners-v-sydney-fc-9877717">3-1 Sydney FC.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Joe Lolley first goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar FC Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, December 7, 7:35pm AEDT – Hindmarsh Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Few predicted both Adelaide and Brisbane to be early top four contenders, yet here they are. Adelaide, under Airton Andrioli, have become one of the most entertaining sides, thanks to some sharp recruitment in the offseason.</p> <p>Brisbane, meanwhile, have built their success on physicality and defensive steel. New Bosnian signing Milorad Stajić epitomises their new style with leadership and aggression. Tough to split these two, a point a piece seems a fair deal as things stand.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/adelaide-united-v-brisbane-roar-9877703">1-1.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under 2.5 total goals.&nbsp;</p>