Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Australia Cup Tips & Prediction - Hellas good value to reach semi-finals

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Tue. 25 Aug. 2026 05:42

Andrew Hendrie 25 Aug. 2026

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Preston Lions vs South Melbourne predictions for Wednesday's Australia Cup QF
Two teams level on 41 points in the NPL Victoria - shapes as a close contest
South Melbourne the value bet and have a 2-0 record in Australia Cup QFs
The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday August 26

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Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Australia Cup Tips & Prediction

I'm following the value and backing South Melbourne at $3.10 to pull off the upset and topple NPL Victoria rivals Preston Lions when the two teams square off in the Australia Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Australia Cup Tips & Prediction
Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Stats & Trends
Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Head To Head
Preston Lions Form Analysis
Preston Lions Team News
South Melbourne Form Analysis
South Melbourne Team News

Not much separates these NPL Victorian teams ahead of this big Australia Cup quarter-final, but the golden rule in Australian football is to follow the value - and it's South Melbourne that hold it all here.

Preston and South Melbourne are both locked on 41 points after 25 league games in NPL Victoria, cementing their spot in the upcoming finals. The Hellas have won two of the last three meetings, including a crushing 3-0 victory at this venue in April.

South Melbourne also have far more experience in these situations, reaching the semi-finals of the Australia Cup on two previous occasions. By contrast, this is Preston's first ever foray into the Australia Cup proper and they've certainly made it count with this run to the last eight.

It could be Preston's time, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest and they were brilliant to knock out reigning champions Newcastle Jets, but for me this shapes as a 50-50 contest - so I'm backing South Melbourne in the Double Chance and H2H markets.

Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Stats & Trends

South Melbourne are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games
South Melbourne have won seven of their last 10 games
South Melbourne are unbeaten in their last three encounters vs Preston, winning two
Preston are unbeaten in their last 13 games, winning 10
South Melbourne are 2-0 in previous Australia Cup quarter-finals

Preston Lions vs South Melbourne Head To Head

South Melbourne have fared well in this H2H since Preston got back to the NPL Vic, going unbeaten in the last three matchups - although the most-recent clash ended in a 0-0 stalemate last month. South came away with a big 3-0 win on the road to Preston in April.

Preston Lions Form Analysis

Preston have emerged as an NPL Victoria powerhouse over the last couple of seasons and they continue to impress.

Zoran Markovski's side have wrapped up a finals spot in the league after a 13-game unbeaten run, winning 10 of those fixtures - however, their most-recent game ended in a 0-0 draw with Dandenong City this past weekend.

But it's the Australia Cup where Preston have made headlines, coming back from 2-0 down to conquer reigning champions Newcastle Jets 3-2 in the R32 before easing past Brunswick Juventus 4-1 in the R16.

Jonas Markovski, Lleyton Brooks, and Jamal Ali all got on the scoresheet in that win, along with an own goal.

Preston Lions Team News

Preston Possible Starting XI: Ryan Scott, Jamal Ali, Domenic Folino, Ayden Brice, Stefan Nigro, Luca Tevere, Oliver Kubilay, Cian Cuba, Lleyton Brooks, Nahuel Bonada, Gian Albano

South Melbourne Form Analysis

It was a slow start to the NPL Vic season for South Melbourne, but they've hit some good form over the last couple of months, going unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games in all comps.

That form has propelled Siniša Cohadzić's side into fifth spot on the ladder and a place in the finals, while they've also excelled in the Australia Cup.

The Hellas started with an impressive 2-1 win over three-time winners Adelaide United before edging past Fremantle City 3-3 on penalties in the R16.

It was a rollecoaster game, with South losing the lead and then coming back to force extra-time after goals from Arran Cocks, David Yoo and Bul Juach. South then prevailed 3-1 in the shootout to advance into their third Australia Cup quarter-final.

South Melbourne Team News

South Melbourne Possible Starting XI: Jake Charlston, Thomas Giannakopoulos, Marco Jankovic, Hassan Ramazani, Jack Painter-Andrews, Sebastian Pasquali, Paulo Retre, Arran Cocks, David Yoo, Bul Juach, Yuki Uchida