AFC Champions League 2026/27

Adelaide United vs Tai Po AFC Champions League Two Tips & Prediction - Reds begin continental campaign

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 16 Sep 2026 06:18

Andrew Hendrie 1 hour ago

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Adelaide United vs Tai Po predictions for Thursday's AFC Champions League 2 game
Adelaide down on form & confidence, going winless in nine of last 12 games
Tai Po scored in both games vs Macarthur in this competition last season
The game is scheduled for kick off at 8.00pm AEST on Thursday September 17

Adelaide United vs Tai Po AFC Champions League Two Tips & Prediction

Adelaide have already misfired once at home on the continental stage this preseason and there should be a bit of value in both teams to score and a draw in this AFC Champions League 2 showdown at Coopers on Thursday night (note, tips will be released when odds become available).

Adelaide United vs Tai Po AFC Champions League Two Tips & Prediction
Adelaide United vs Tai Po Stats & Trends
Adelaide United vs Tai Po Head To Head
Adelaide United Form Analysis
Adelaide United Team News
Tai Po Form Analysis
Tai Po Team News

Adelaide had a golden opportunity to secure their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite when they took on Vietnamese champions Cong An Ha Noi at home last month, but they weren't up for the challenge and went down 0-2, instead forced to settle with featuring in Asia's secondary cup competition.

The Reds have landed in Group F alongside Tai Po of Hong Kong, Pathum United of Thailand and Lion City Sailors of Singapore, who famously beat Sydney FC in the semi-finals of this competition last year.

With just three wins from their last 12 competitive games dating back to last season, Adelaide appear vulnerable in this group opener.

Tai Po are already four games into their new domestic league campaign after finishing second last term, while they also emerged with the Hong Kong FA Cup silverware.

The Hong Kong team have prior experience of facing A-League clubs, playing Macarthur twice in last season's competition, winning 2-1 at home and losing away by the same score.

That shows that Tai Po are capable of matching it with an Adelaide side down on confidence and still in the preseason. Both teams to score is the main play, with some value on a draw and a correct score of 1-1.

Adelaide United vs Tai Po Stats & Trends

Adelaide have seen BTTS land in 10 of their last 12 competitive games
Tai Po have seen BTTS land in four of their last five competitive games
Adelaide have gone winless in nine of their last 12 competitive games
Adelaide have drawn six of those 12 games by a 1-1 score
Tai Po have won 11 of their last 13 competitive games
Tai Po scored in both games vs Macarthur in this competition last season

Adelaide United vs Tai Po Head To Head

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs.

Adelaide United Form Analysis

Adelaide finished the regular A-League season in second spot on the ladder, but it was a disappointing end to the season.

Indeed, the Reds only won three of their last 10 games and were knocked out of the finals by eventual winners Auckland.

Hoping for a record fourth Australia Cup trophy this preseason, Adelaide were stunned 2-1 by South Melbourne in the Round of 32, with the NPL Vic side going on to make the final.

There was further disappointment a couple of weeks later, with Adelaide suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Vietnamese champions Cong An Ha Noi, resulting in their relegation to the AFC Champions League Two competition.

Adelaide United Team News

Some big news recently, with teenage sensation Amlani Tatu linked with a January move to Real Madrid. Adelaide of course have history of producing young talent, with Nestory Irankunda, Mo Toure, Luka Jovanovic and Yaya Dukaly recently securing big moves abroad.

Not much player movement this preseason, with Socceroos veteran Craig Goodwin set captain the side again.

Adelaide United Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Joshua Smits, Fabian Talladira, Panagiotis Kikianis, Bart Vriends, Jay Barnett, Harry Crawford, Ethan Alagich, Ryan White, Jonny Yull, Juan Muñiz, Craig Goodwin

Tai Po Form Analysis

By contrast, it was a strong finish to the Hong Kong Premier League season for Tai Po.

After ending the regular season in fourth spot, Tai Po won their final seven games when the league split into the top and bottom halves.

That earned Chi-Kin Lee's side a second place finish in the league, while they were also victorious in the FA Cup, earning qualification into the AFC Champions League 2 for the second straight season.

Tai Po were unlucky not to emerge from the group last term, beating Macarthur and Cong An Ha Noi, but their seven points saw them finish in third spot.

It's been a mixed start to the new league season, with Tai Po winning two and losing two of their four games, including a most-recent 2-1 loss to Hong Kong FC.

Tai Po Team News

Brazilian 37-year-old striker Paulinho was Tai Po's top scorer with eight goals in the league last term and he already has three in four games this season - but the veteran has featured off the bench in all four and might be used again as a super sub in this one.

Tai Po Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Tse Ka-Wing, Léo Rigo, Fernando Pedreira, Chan Hoi-Pak Paco, Nando Welter, Sim Seung-Hyeon, Murilo Albuquerque, Gabriel Mesquita, Chan Siu-Kwan Philip, Chang Hei-Yin, Wallisson Bahia