Australian A-League football: Perth Glory v Western United preview and tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Perth Glory v Western United in the Hyundai A-League.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 10.30am Monday

Best bet

Western United or draw double chance
1pt 7-5 Betfred, BoyleSports

Match preview

Perth Glory were runners-up to Sydney FC in last season's Hyundai A-League Grand Final but they have been struggling and look poor- value odds-on favourites at home to Western United.

The Australian government announced an impending lockdown on Sunday but the contest is still set to take place behind closed doors at HBF Park. And the lack of home fans should help visitors United, who have climbed from eighth to sixth after convincing victories at home to Central Coast (6-2) and away to Adelaide United (5-1).

Kosovan striker Besart Berisha bagged two goals in each of those matches, taking his seasonal tally to 14.

He approaches the Perth game full of confidence and so does midfielder Max Burgess, who netted a hat-trick against Central Coast and once against Adelaide.

• Profile: Western United goal machine Besart Berisha

Mark Rudan's side have a decent away record, taking 14 points from nine road trips, and held their own in a 1-1 draw at home to Perth last October.

Perth are only four points better off and falling short of lofty expectations after winning one of their last eight matches.

They slipped from second to fifth when taking just one point from their last three games and there is mounting pressure on head coach Tony Popovic, who is in his second season at the helm.

Popovic, a former Crystal Palace defender, would have been a lot happier with his team's performance in the 0-0 draw at leaders Sydney FC which ended a sequence of six matches without a clean sheet.

But he will be looking for his attacking players to shine in this game and is likely to lean heavily on Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli, who tops the club's scoring charts with 12 league goals.

Fornaroli is the favourite to score the opening goal and an obvious danger to the away side.

However, Western United have been fairly solid on their travels, conceding ten goals in nine away fixtures, and can defend well enough to deny the home side, who look a very short price.

Key stat

Perth Glory have not won any of their last five matches.

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