- Auckland City are the clear favorite to win at 1.63, Springs at 4.22 and Draw at 3.98.
- The main selection for the game is Over 2.5 goals at 1.42 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.46.
- In the head-to-head, Auckland City have won eight of the last 11 meetings since 2021, with Springs taking two and one draw.
Springs have enough firepower to give the hosts a run for their money
Auckland City are the strong favourites to beat Western Springs at home in this Auckland local derby, but the visitors have enough quality and a big enough sense of injustice to make this game a lot closer than the bookies suggest.
The main betting selection has to be Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score - Yes as the odds-on favourite looks too short and the odds for the visitors to take something are not worthwhile. There should be an even flow to this game as Auckland City boss Rudy Mozr's team like to control the ball, play possession-based soccer and move it vertically when they have it, but also be a threat from wide areas.
Springs are an exciting side who push players forward, can get some real pace and width on the ball and look to make their attacking impact in transition, so it should be a chess match in Kiwitea Street on Saturday.
Dylan Manickum is Auckland City’s main man
Auckland City have been a little inconsistent in their recent form in all competitions, mixing a 4-1 win over Bay Olympic with some narrow defeats in the league to Eastern Suburbs and Birkenhead United, as well as a 3-2 loss away at Birkenhead United.
Springs have also been a mixed bag in their last four, with a 3-0 win over bottom side Bay Olympic and a 1-0 away win at Auckland FC Reserves being followed by a 6-0 thrashing by Fencibles United and a 4-2 defeat to high-flying Tauranga City.
In the current Northern League table, the hosts are sixth with around 24 points, while Western Springs are seventh with about 20. Auckland City will want to protect their home turf in this local derby and Western Springs will be looking for revenge after a 3-0 loss earlier in the season.
Dylan Manickum is the spark for the home team with six league goals to date, but he is the sort of player who can find pockets of space in the final third as he did with a couple of pinpoint through-balls against his former club earlier in the year. Angus Kilkolly adds a real target man in the box for Auckland while Kieran Richards adds a bit of bite in the wide areas. Adam Mitchell and Nathan Garrow add a bit of steel and structure in the back two, which will be key if Springs can make it a tight game.
Spring’s attacking options can change the game quickly
Ryan Watson is the focal point of Springs' attacks with five or six league goals so far and he is also the penalty taker. He also has the ability to play in attacking midfield, so Western Springs have plenty of options to get him the ball.
Caspar McGavin has been a real threat in behind the defence for Springs, while George Cooper and Ben Wallace provide a lot of pace and a different sort of width when the games open up. The home side will still come away with the victory, but it could be a tight 2-1 win with Springs getting a consolation for their troubles.
