MetroStars vs Macarthur FC Tips & Predictions - Macarthur to overcome dangerous MetroStars in R16

MetroStars have already secured the NPL South Australia title, leading the competition by 15 points having won 16 of their 21 games for the season. After demolishing Canberra Croatia 4-0 in their R32 fixture, MetroStars will be aiming for their first 'Cupset' and to reach the Australia Cup quarter-finals for just the second time after previously doing so in 2023. Meanwhile, Macarthur continue their pursuit of a third Australia Cup trophy in the last four years after the defending champions made light work of SD Raiders 5-0 in their opening game.

This won't be easy for Macarthur, but they have transformed into cup specialists and are once again on the favourable side of the draw, with the Newcastle Jets the only other A-League side they can run into until the final. MetroStars will be extremely tough at home and the hosts should be good for a goal, but Macarthur will likely have too much class in the end.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

MetroStars come into this clash on fire, winning 16 of their 21 games in the NPL South Australia and demolishing Canberra Croatia 4-0 in the Australia Cup R32.

Four different players got on the scoresheet in that victory, highlighting the threat MetroStars have all over the pitch.

MetroStars also crushed Croydon 4-0 in their most-recent league outing, a victory that propelled them 15 points clear at the top of the table, with the team having already secured the silverware for this season.

The SA juggernauts will now be aiming for their first ever win over an A-League side in this clash. MetroStars advanced to the Australia Cup quarter-finals in 2023, but they didn't face a top side, cruising past Inglewood United 5-0 and edging Inter Lions 1-0 before going down 2-1 to Melbourne City.

Macarthur have only played one game since the last A-League season, where they had a disappointing end to the campaign and failed to make the finals.

Not to be deterred, Macarthur were completely unfazed in the opening game of their Australia Cup title defence, easing past SD Raiders 5-0 a couple of weeks ago.

Bernando Oliveira, Harrison Sawyer, Chris Ikonomidis and Anthony Caceres found the back of the net on that night, along with an own goal.

There's a chance Macarthur fans could catch their first glimpse of former Sunderland and Augsburg striker Ji Dong-won, with the South Korea international joining the club last week.