<p>The 2025/26 A-League season gets underway this weekend, as football Down Under undergoes yet another transformation.</p> <p>The dynamic of Australia’s premier football league has drastically changed over the last few seasons. Gone are the retirement-home-ready big-name recruits, with teams across the land instead putting their faith in the youth.</p> <p>Luckily for the A-League and in turn the Socceroos, the kids are alright. Well, based on the mass exodus of home-grown talent to top European leagues last year, they’re more than alright.</p> <p>Early signs indicate that there’s plenty more where that came from and you’d wager that clubs with the most prolific pathway programs will prosper quicker and longer than those who adopt a churn and burn approach of players who, these days, are better at selling shirts, than kicking a ball.</p> <p>Still, this is the A-League and as we all know, anything can happen. That’s why to help punters find a method to the footballing madness about to kick-off Down Under, we’ve come up with these handy A-League season predictions.</p> <p>Looking for tips and analysis covering champions, top goalscorer and the dreaded wooden spoon? Look no further than our expert A-League 2025/26 season predictions below!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A-League Champions Prediction 2025/26</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The new kids on the block no more. After one of the most remarkable debut seasons in A-League history, Auckland FC will be out to prove that the dreaded ‘second year syndrome” in professional sport, is simply a myth.</p> <p>They finished top of the pops in their debut season, with much of their success built on their defensive resolve. They conceded just 27 goals in 26 games and will be hoping to be as equally resolute at the back this time around.</p> <p>That is a task that will be made all the harder by the departure of 2x Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Paulsen who returned to Bournemouth in the offseason.</p> <p>Still, if star holding midfielder Louis Vestraete can stay healthy for the whole season, they will be mighty difficult to break down and to take the ball from.</p> <p>While inexperience on the big stage cost them in the final’s series, but they’ll be all the stronger for it now. That’s why they’re our tip to be crowned champions come season’s end.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/australian-a-league-men-outright-2025-26-9617678">Auckland FC.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A-League Top Goalscorer Prediction 2025/26</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Unsurprisingly, the favourite for the 2024/25 top goal scorer, is also our tip to take out the award.</p> <p>Perth Glory’s Adam Taggart is already a two-time winner of this award and after an injury disrupted season last year, should be ready to fire.</p> <p>An elite marksman, who went fit, healthy and in form is easily of international calibre, Taggart will be hoping to get back to the form that saw him fire in 20 goals and win this award just two seasons ago.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/australian-a-league-men-outright-2025-26-9617678">Adam Taggart.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A-League Wooden Spoon Prediction 2025/26</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>When your treble-winning coach calls it quits a week before the start of the season, it’s not exactly a recipe for success.</p> <p>Unfortunately, that’s the situation the Central Coast Mariners find themselves in at the moment.</p> <p>Last week, Mark Jackson announced he was leaving the Mariners effective immediately and is expected to soon be confirmed as new coach of Thai Premier League leaders Buriram United.</p> <p>With no permanent replacement lined up yet and the season about to start, this campaign could be tough viewing for all the Mariner’s fans out there.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/australian-a-league-men-outright-2025-26-9617678">Central Coast Mariners.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A-League Ladder Predictions 2025/26</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>1. Auckland FC</h3> <p>The favourites after a hell of a debut season. They’ve kept most of their top talent, sans Paulsen.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Louis Vestraete – absolute metronome of holding midfielder.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>2. MacArthur FC</h3> <p>One of the best rosters on paper. A mix of known A-League stars and quality imports. Getting Socceroo Caceres off Sydney could be huge.</p> <p><strong>Key player(s): </strong>Luke Brattan and Anthony Caceres – a double pivot dreams are made of!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>3. Melbourne City</h3> <p>They blooded so much youth last year and yet still won the title. There's a lot more where that came from given, they are part of City Football Group, meaning their international scouting has always been top notch.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Mathew Leckie – the ageless Socceroos hero will be looking to have a strong season ahead of next year's World Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>4. Western Sydney Wanderers</h3> <p>An impressive offseason signing spree headlined by the ageless Kosta Barbarouses and former Western United star Angus Thurgate should have them in good stead this season.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Angus Thurgate – the game seems to slow when he’s on the ball and a good season should have him in the Socceroos World Cup squad.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>5. Melbourne Victory</h3> <p>Arguably the best side in the league on paper. The arrival of Juan Mata from WSW will get plenty of media attention, but can they succeed where the Wanderers failed and get the best out of him?</p> <p><strong>Key player: </strong>Dennis Genreau – he’ll be hoping to ‘pull a Mooy’ and find his football again after a European stint.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>6. Perth Glory</h3> <p>After consecutive wooden spoons, it’s time to start again for Perth. After retaining Taggart and rebuilding their defence, expectations are somewhat high out West.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Adam Taggert – if he fires as predicted, the six should be in sight for Perth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>7. Brisbane Roar</h3> <p>Vibes seem high in the Sunshine State despite recent turmoil. A flurry of new signings and a new coach will do that. Can they push for finals off the back of young stars Herrington and Klein?</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Jay O’Shea – much of their play will flow through the seemingly ageless midfielder, who is now 37 years young.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>8. Newcastle Jets</h3> <p>Optimism has been renewed in the Hunter after winning the Australian Cup. With former Jet and Socceroo Mark Milligan at the helm, anything could happen.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Eli Adams – can Adams take another leap forward this season?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>9. Sydney FC</h3> <p>Coach Talay survives, but for how long? Joe Lolley also remains despite the rumours. However, the skills of Douglas Costa do not. A lot of hype around Paul Okon-Engstler (yep, son of the former Socceroo), could he be a World Cup bolter?</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Joe Lolley – whether he’s out wide or through the middle Sydney should be able to rely on him in the final third.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>10. Adelaide United</h3> <p>It’s one Goodwin for another at Adelaide. All time United Hero Craig returns home yet again, while last season’s joint top goal scorer Archie, is off to the MLS.</p> <p>New coach Airton Andrioli will have to lean on youth to round out his squad, meaning 17-year-old Tatu who has often been compared to star boy Nestory Irankunda could form a key part of his plans.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Craig Goodwin – there’s no better delivery in the league and the veteran wingback will be desperate to impress so he can punch a ticket to the World Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>11. Wellington Phoenix</h3> <p>A bad year last time around, that was compounded by the instant success of little brothers Auckland. No real signs that indicate their fortunes could turn around anytime soon. Could be a long one for the Phoenix.</p> <p><strong>Key player:</strong> Ifeanyi Eze – pressure will be on their new No.7 to fire, after they desperately struggled for goals last season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>12. Central Coast Mariners</h3> <p>Offseason from hell anyone? Just head to the Central Coast! As mentioned, their coach has walked a week out, and they’ve lost a lot of their key players, with minimal replacements.</p> <p><strong>Key player: </strong>Trent Sainsbury – the ex-Socceroo will be in charge of stopping the bleeding at the back for the Mariners, who are sure to play more of this season without the ball, than with it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A-League Season 2025/26 Odds</h2>