Auckland vs Brisbane Roar Prediction: Win and a clean sheet for Corica’s charges

Auckland FC, winners of last season's Premier's Plate in their inaugural campaign, are already leading the way in the Australian A-League Men's this term, sitting top with 10 points after four rounds of fixtures. On Sunday (02:00 GMT, TNT Sports 3), the Black Knights hunt a fourth consecutive victory when they face off against Brisbane Roar, who have picked up seven points from a possible 12, at Go Media Stadium.

Below are my Auckland vs Brisbane Roar predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Team News

Auckland skipper Hiroki Sakai misses out again with a hamstring injury, while Logan Rogerson and Daniel Hall are both suspended after receiving red cards in their side's 2-1 victory over New Zealand rivals Wellington Phoenix on November 8.

Jack Brimmer and Marlee Francois (both unspecified) also miss out due to injury.

Hall and Brimmer are likely to be replaced in Steve Corica's starting XI by Nando Pijnaker and Luis Felipe Gallegos, respectively.

Football Odds

Chris Long, Hosine Bility (both hamstring), Marcus Ferkranus, Nathan Amanatidis (both quad), Antonee Burke-Gilroy (foot) and Ben Halloran (knee) are in the Brisbane Roar treatment room.

Michael Valkanis is likely to stick with the starting XI that served him so well in their 3-0 victory over Newcastle Jets last time out.

Auckland vs Brisbane Roar Odds

Auckland are 4/7 to win, implying a 63.6% probability of success, while Brisbane Roar are 9/2, or an 18.2% chance, to triumph on their travels, with the draw priced at 13/5.

To Win to Nil - Auckland @ 7/5

Auckland won both head-to-heads to nil last season, triumphing 2-0 at home in October 2024 before emerging victorious by the same scoreline at Suncorp Stadium in March.

The Black Knights, who conceded just 27 goals in 26 regular-season games, boasting the second-best defence behind Melbourne City (25), have begun the current campaign in fine defensive fettle, too.

Corica’s charges have only conceded twice across four games, keeping clean sheets in a goalless draw at Melbourne Victory and a 1-0 home win against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Today's Football Fixtures

Auckland have conceded a goal in each of their last two matches, but a clean sheet will be in sight this weekend.

The Roar scored three last time out as they beat Newcastle Jets 3-0 at Suncorp, but they notched just twice across their first three games, blanking in a goalless home draw with Melbourne City.

Their first goal of the season also came from the penalty spot, in a 1-0 win against Macarthur FC.

Sunday’s visitors have played three of last season’s bottom five, and in their only game against a top-seven side, Melbourne City, they failed to score, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a trip to Go Media Stadium, so a home win to nil looks like the best bet here.

Player to Receive a Card - Michael Ruhs (BRI) @ 15/8

Brisbane Roar bruiser Michael Ruhs is averaging 1.8 fouls in this season's ALM, despite only one of his four appearances coming as a starter.

The 24-year-old committed four fouls across three substitute outings against Macarthur (two), Wellington Phoenix (zero) and Melbourne City (two) before making his first start of the season last time out against Newcastle Jets and making three fouls.

With Long still sidelined, he should get the nod again on Sunday, and that makes him a prime candidate in the Player to Receive a Card market.

Ruhs only made six starts in last season's ALM for his previous club, Western United, coming off the bench 14 times, but he was booked eight times, including once in a 4-2 victory over Auckland on May 3.

Nick Ware P/L 25/26 ALM Season

 P/L: +40.8