APIA Leichhardt vs Melbourne Victory Australia Cup Tips & Prediction - Victory to survive in-form APIA
APIA Leichhardt faces Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup quarter-finals, promising an enticing clash as both teams have impressed in prior rounds. APIA are in strong form atop the NPL NSW, while Victory, eyeing a third Cup trophy, are expected to show their superior quality. Both advanced via penalties in the previous round, and APIA notably defeated Victory in 2018. The key call is for Melbourne Victory to win, but with both sides likely to score, making for an exciting, competitive match.
- APIA Leichhardt vs Melbourne Victory predictions for Wednesday's Australia Cup QF
- APIA are top of the NPL NSW ladder & capable of scoring in this one
- Victory tipped to rise to the occasion and win, with both teams finding the back of the net
- The match is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday August 19
APIA Leichhardt vs Melbourne Victory Australia Cup Tips & Prediction
There's been several Cupsets during this competition, but Melbourne Victory should be taking this seriously now they're in the quarter-finals, with Sydney FC the only other A-League team remaining. APIA are flying in the NPL NSW and can find the back of the net, but Victory are tipped to show their class and advance into the Australia Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night.
Both teams progressed into the quarter-finals via penalties, with APIA overcoming NPL rivals Sydney United and Victory edging out Western Sydney Wanderers. Victory are chasing a third Australia Cup trophy and APIA are looking to make the semi-finals for the first time after two previous quarter-final eliminations.
APIA are a little unlucky they've landed on the side of the draw with the two remaining A-League teams, because they can certainly make a case for being the best NPL side team left in the competition. They look set to be crowned champions as soon as this upcoming weekend and certainly won't fear Victory, who they actually beat on their way to the 2018 Australia Cup quarter-finals.
But, in saying that, I do expect Victory to raise their level for this encounter. It's very much worth the effort and motivation now, especially qualification into Asia also on the line. APIA's level is probably between bottom-half of the A-League at the moment, so Victory will have to be on guard, but I'm backing them in for a win as both teams find the back of the net.
APIA vs Victory Stats & Trends
- APIA have scored in 45 of their last 47 games in all comps
- APIA have won six of their last eight games inside 90 mins
- Victory have conceded 1+ goal in 13 of their last 15 games in all comps
- Victory have seen BTTS land in 10 of their last 14 games
- APIA have seen BTTS land in eight of their last nine games
APIA vs Victory Head To Head
APIA lead 1-0, winning their only previous meeting 3-2 in the 2018 Australia Cup quarter-finals, with Nathan Millgate scoring the winner in the 80th minute.
APIA Leichhardt Form Analysis
APIA have been the standout side in the NPL NSW this season, winning 20 of their 28 matches to sit top of the table with only two rounds remaining. They hold a four-point advantage over second-placed Sydney United, who they face this upcoming weekend, meaning they can secure the silverware by earning a point.
Franco Parisi's side has carried strong form into the closing stages of the campaign, winning six of its last seven league matches - including a most-recent 3-1 victory over SD Raiders, who also feature in the Australia Cup quarter-finals against Sydney FC.
APIA defeated Peninsula Power 2-1 in the R32, with Jack Stewart and Sean Symons both on target, while they conquered rivals Sydney United on penalties in an impressive R16 performance.
APIA Leichhardt Team News
Star striker Presley Ortiz has scored 19 goals in the NPL this season and will be hoping to make an impact on the big stage.
Japanese midfielder Seiya Kambayashi was on target against Sydney United in the R16.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Oliver Kalac | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | Alex Parkes | Australia |
| Defender | Eijin Kishimoto | Japan |
| Defender | Themba Muata-Marlow | Australia |
| Defender | Sean Symons | Australia |
| Defender | Michael Kouta | Australia |
| Defender | Cameron Fong | Australia |
| Defender | Kyle Shaw | Australia |
| Midfielder | Seiya Kambayashi | Japan |
| Midfielder | Navid Alizada | Australia |
| Midfielder | Michael Konestabo | Australia |
| Midfielder | Antonio Rizzo | Italy |
| Midfielder | Max Court | Australia |
| Midfielder | Adrian Ucchino | Australia |
| Midfielder | Fabian Monge | Australia |
| Midfielder | Eddie Caspers | Australia |
| Midfielder | Levi Sciuriaga | Australia |
| Midfielder | Oscar Gonzalez | Australia |
| Midfielder | Cristian Lombardo | Australia |
| Midfielder | Franco Farinella | Australia |
| Forward | Jack Stewart | Australia |
| Forward | Presley Ortiz | Australia |
| Forward | Rory Jordan | Australia |
| Forward | Jordan Segreto | Australia |
| Forward | Alex Denmead | Australia |
Melbourne Victory Form Analysis
Victory boast one of the strongest records in the Australia Cup having lifted the trophy twice and finished runners-up in 2024.
New head coach Giovanni Savarese made a winning start to life at Victory, overseeing a comfortable 4-0 victory over Kingsborough Lions in the Round of 32.
Philipp Ziereis, Matthew Grimaldi, Clarismario Santos and Keegan Jelacic all found the back of the net as Victory booked their place in the Round of 16 with an emphatic performance.
Victory then overcame the Wanderers on penalties to make the quarter-finals. Harry Sawyer scored in extra-time and also on the shootout, with WSW missing their last three spot-kicks.
Melbourne Victory Team News
Sawyer is a chance to feature in the starting lineup after coming off the bench to score against the Wanderers.
Charles Nduka may be forced onto the bench if that's the case, with the striker missing a penalty in the shootout. Jack Duncan was the hero in the shootout with multiple saves and will line up between the posts.
Charles Nduka may be forced onto the bench if that's the case, with the striker missing a penalty in the shootout. Jack Duncan was the hero in the shootout with multiple saves and will line up between the posts.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jack Warshawsky | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | Jack Duncan | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | Daniel Graskoski (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Jason Davidson | Australia |
| Defender | Philipp Ziereis | Germany |
| Defender | Brendan Hamill | Australia |
| Defender | Tom Lockyer | Wales |
| Defender | Joshua Inserra (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Franco Lino (on loan from Viking) | Australia |
| Defender | Harry Shillington | Australia |
| Defender | William Kengni | Australia |
| Midfielder | Louis D'Arrigo | Australia |
| Midfielder | Jordi Valadon | Australia |
| Midfielder | Denis Genreau | Australia |
| Midfielder | Matthew Grimaldi | Australia |
| Midfielder | Oliver Dragicevic | Australia |
| Midfielder | Xavier Stella | Australia |
| Midfielder | Keegan Jelacic | Australia |
| Midfielder | Jack Mihailidis | Australia |
| Midfielder | Juan Mata | Spain |
| Forward | Harry Sawyer | Australia |
| Forward | Santos | Brazil |
| Forward | Nishan Velupillay | Australia |
| Forward | Malik Olukhale | Australia |
| Forward | Mikey Ghossaini | Australia |
| Forward | Charles Nduka | Japan |
Verdict
APIA are a class side and can find the back of the net, but Victory should lift for this one and advance.
BTTS - Yes
Both Teams To Score
$1.65 - 2 Units
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