Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar Tips & Prediction - Auckland target fourth win on the trot

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 20 Nov 2025 22:45

Andrew Hendrie 20 Nov 2025

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Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar predictions for Sunday's A-League Round 5 game
Auckland are on a three-game winning streak
Auckland defeated Brisbane 2-0 home and away last season
Five of Auckland's last seven A-League wins have been to nil
The game is scheduled for kick off at 1.00pm AEDT on Sunday November 23

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Auckland host Brisbane on Sunday (Photo by Getty Images)

Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar Tips & Prediction

Auckland FC will be looking to maintain their spot on top of the ladder when they play host to an improving Brisbane Roar side in A-League Round 5 action on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar Tips & Prediction
Head To Head
Auckland FC Form
Auckland FC Team News
Brisbane Roar Form
Brisbane Roar Team News

It was a sensational debut season in the A-League for Auckland last term and they are proving it was no fluke, going unbeaten across the opening four rounds and flying high at the top of the table, coming into this clash on the back of a three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, it's also been an excellent start to the season for Brisbane - after a few years of terrible football, the Roar have looked in encouraging form, most recently crushing Australia Cup champions Newcastle 3-0 before the break.

However, travelling across the Tasman to face the reigning minor premiers is one of the biggest tests in the A-League at the moment. Auckland are extremely hard to break down - they proved that again by holding out Wellington with nine men in their last outing. The Roar shouldn't be underestimated, but I still have a few doubts. Auckland winning to nil at home is the best bet for this clash.

Head To Head

Auckland won both meetings between the teams last season by 2-0 scores.

Auckland FC Form

It's been a tremendous start to the season for Auckland and they will be searching for fourth consecutive wins for the third time in their short history when they come up against Brisbane.

The Black Knights famously started last season with six wins on the bounce and never looked back, securing the minor premiership.

Steve Corica's side opened this campaign with a 0-0 stalemate away to Melbourne Victory before toppling the Wanderers (1-0), Adelaide (2-1) and Wellington (2-1).

It was a crazy NZ derby showdown with Phoenix before the break, with English striker Sam Cosgrove opening the scoring after just 28 seconds, exposing Wellington's high line. After conceding an equaliser, Cosgrove was on hand to fire home his third goal of the season before Auckland ultimately held on for a 2-1 victory, despite being reduced to nine men after Dan Hall and Logan Rogerson were sent off.

Rogerson and Hall will both miss this clash through suspension, while captain Hiroki Sakai is out with a hamstring injury.

Auckland FC Team News

Auckland FC squad: 1. Michael WOUD, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 16. Adama COULIBALY, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Finn McKENLAY, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 52. Luka VICELICH, 77. Lachlan BROOK

Brisbane Roar Form

After languishing near the bottom of the ladder for the last couple of seasons, the Roar enter Round 5 in fourth spot on the ladder, registering a 2-1-1 record.

Brisbane opened the campaign with a 1-0 triumph over Macarthur FC at home, but they couldn't back it up, losing in the dying stages across the ditch against Wellington.

However, the Roar have remained unbeaten since, earning a point with reigning champions Melbourne City before dismantling the Jets 3-0 before the break.

Michael Valkanis' side delighted the Sunshine Coast crowd, with defender Lucas Herrington opening the scoring in the 31st minute before Jay O'Shea doubled Brisbane's advantage from the penalty spot in the second half. Teenage substitute Quinn MacNicol then sealed the win in the 89th minute, although it was the Jets goalkeeper who was ultimately credited with an own goal.

Brisbane Roar Team News

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 2. Youstin Delfin SALAS GOMEZ, 3.Dimitri VALKANIS, 4. Benjamin WARLAND, 6.Austin LUDWIK, 7. Jacob BRAZETE, 8. Samuel KLEIN, 10. Georgios VRAKAS, 11. Macklin FREKE (GK), 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13.Henry HORE, 16.Matthew DENCH, 17. Justin VIDIC, 19. Michael RUHS, 23. James McGARRY, 26. James O’SHEA (C), 30.Quinn MACNICOL, 31.Noah MAIERONI, 44.Jordan LAUTON, 77. Milorad STAJIC

Verdict

Auckland FC v Brisbane Roar

Have to back Auckland here - they're on a three-game winning streak and defeated Brisbane 2-0 home and away last term. The Roar also lost in Wellington earlier this season.