REF’s picks

Macarthur FC hold home advantage for this opening round fixture and should have enough firepower to edge out Perth Glory at Campbelltown. Backing the hosts on the half-ball handicap makes sense given their strong attacking displays on home soil towards the tail end of last season.

1. 1Macarthur finished the previous campaign strongly at home, highlighted by a dominant 4-0 win over Wellington Phoenix.
2. 2Perth Glory won the most recent head-to-head meeting 3-1, proving they are capable of upsetting the hosts.
3. 3Early season form is notoriously unpredictable as squads settle into new tactical shapes.

REF's own opinion, not a guarantee — nothing here is financial or betting advice, and the call is always yours.