Kingborough Lions vs Melbourne Victory Australia Cup Tips & Prediction - Victory should cruise into R16
Kingborough Lions make their Australia Cup Round of 32 debut against powerhouse Melbourne Victory in Kingston, Tasmania. Despite recent Cupsets, the Lions—second in NPL Tasmania and on strong local form—face long odds against the two-time winners and 2024 finalists. Melbourne Victory have bolstered their squad with new signings and are expected to dominate if they field their best team. While surprises happen in the Cup, prediction favors Victory, with a high-scoring match likely if their stars play.
- Kingborough Lions vs Melbourne Victory predictions for Sunday's Australia Cup R32 game
- Kingborough making Australia Cup R32 debut; set to be outclassed
- Over 4.5 goals appeals if Victory field their strongest lineup
- The match is scheduled for kick off at 5.00pm AEST on Sunday July 26
Kingborough Lions vs Melbourne Victory Australia Cup Tips & Prediction
There's been a wave of Cupsets across the Round of 32, but it's doubtful Kingborough Lions will be able to add their name to the list when they host Melbourne Victory in Kingston, Tasmania on Sunday afternoon.
Never say never in the Australia Cup, with three NPL clubs at the time of writing knocking out A-League teams over the last week to advance into the R16.
However, there's a reason why Kingborough are paying a massive $81 with the bookies heading into this clash.
Kingborough are making their Australia Cup debut in the R32 and play in the NPL Tasmania, which isn't of the highest quality - with all due respect.
Victory will have to be on guard - they did after all suffer one of the bigger Cupsets last year when they were eliminated at this stage by Olympic Kingsway.
But I don't think lightning will strike twice. Unsurprisingly, there's limited odds or value surrounding this clash, but Victory have maintained a pretty strong squad over the offseason and if there big names feature, they could easily rack up the goals.
Kingborough Lions vs Melbourne Victory Stats & Trends
- Kingborough are playing in the Australia Cup R32 for the first time
- Kingborough have won 10 of their last 12 games
- Victory are two-time Australia Cup champions & were runners-up in 2024
- Five of Victory's last eight games have seen 4+ goals
Kingborough Lions vs Melbourne Victory Head To Head
This will be the first ever meeting between the teams.
Kingborough Lions Form Analysis
Kingborough are currently sitting in second spot on the NPL Tasmania ladder.
Jon Fenech's side have won 12 of their 16 games for the season, trailing leaders South Hobart by four points and have a huge goal difference of +31.
It's been a strong run of form for Kingborough coming into this contest, winning 10 of their last 12 games - including a most-recent 3-1 victory over Launceston last week.
This will be the biggest match of the club's history since being established in 1998 as they make their Australia Cup debut against one of the biggest teams in the country.
Kingborough Lions Team News
You can find the Lions team below.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Nick O'Connell | Australia |
| MF | Eli Wright | Australia |
| DF | Ryan Cook | Australia |
| MF | Bagat Beyong | Australia |
| DF | Peter Ravai | Fiji |
| DF | Hugo Schwarz | Australia |
| FW | Joel Badger | Canada |
| FW | Noah Mies | Australia |
| DF | Eli Luttmer | Australia |
| FW | Solomon Tebeje | Australia |
| FW | Rowan Pitt | Australia |
| DF | Joe McShane | Australia |
| MF | Esteban Miranda | Colombia |
| DF | Owen Verdouw | Australia |
| FW | Tristen Galt | Australia |
| MF | Bradley Lakoseljac | Australia |
| MF | Greg Downes | Australia |
| GK | Lochie Schofield | Australia |
Melbourne Victory Form Analysis
It was a relatively disappointing A-League season for Victory.
They finished the regular season in fourth spot on the ladder, but were eliminated at the first time of asking in the finals by Sydney FC.
That led to Arthur Diles copping the sack, with Venezuelan manager Giovanni Savarese taking charge, bringing prior experience in leading the Portland Timbers in the MLS.
Victory have tasted success twice before in the Australia Cup, lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2021, while they also made the final in 2024, going down to Macarthur.
Melbourne Victory Team News
Victory have landed the signing of former St Pauli and Greuther Firth defender Philipp Ziereis for the upcoming season and he could make his debut in this clash.
Towering striker Harry Sawyer is also on course to play his first game in Victory colours after joining from Macarthur.
Big names including Nishan Velupillay, Jason Davidson, Charles Nduka and Santos are still with the club, while superstar Juan Mata also remains on the Victory books, but will not play in this clash as he continues to decide on his future.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| DF | Jason Davidson | Australia |
| DF | Brendan Hamill | Australia |
| MF | Jordi Valadon | Australia |
| MF | Denis Genreau | Australia |
| FW | Santos | Brazil |
| MF | Matthew Grimaldi | Australia |
| DF | Sebastian Esposito | Australia |
| DF | Joshua Inserra | Australia |
| FW | Nishan Velupillay | Australia |
| DF | Franco Lino | Australia |
| MF | Keegan Jelacic | Australia |
| GK | Jack Duncan | Australia |
| MF | Louis D'Arrigo | Australia |
| MF | Oliver Dragicevic | Australia |
| GK | Daniel Graskoski | Australia |
| MF | Jack Mihailidis | Australia |
| MF | Xavier Stella | Australia |
| GK | Jack Warshawsky | Australia |
| FW | Charles Nduka | Japan |
| MF | Juan Mata | Spain |
| FW | Mikey Ghossaini | Australia |
| DF | William Kengni | Australia |
| DF | Tom Lockyer | Wales |
| FW | Malik Olukhale | Australia |
| FW | Harry Sawyer | Australia |
| DF | Harry Shillington | Australia |
| DF | Philipp Ziereis | Germany |
Verdict
Not much value in this one, but Over 4.5 goals appeals if Victory put out their strongest side.
Over 4.5
Total Goals
$1.65 - 2 Units
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