Queensland Lions vs Melbourne City Australia Cup Tips & Prediction - City backed for quarter-finals
Melbourne City are favored to progress to the Australia Cup quarter-finals after a strong showing against Weston Bears, but in-form Queensland Lions—rampant in the NPL Queensland—promise to offer resistance, especially at home. Lions recently knocked out Perth Glory and boast a potent attack, with striker Alex Fiechtner a standout. Melbourne City, bolstered by new signings like Awer Mabil and Matheus Rossetto, are expected to have too much quality, but the Lions should be confident of finding the net. Expect an exciting match with both teams likely to score.
- Queensland Lions vs Melbourne City predictions for Tuesday's Australia Cup R16 game
- City backed to progress, but Lions tipped to find the back of the net in defeat
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Tuesday August 11
Queensland Lions vs Melbourne City Australia Cup Tips & Prediction
Melbourne City are tipped to advance into the Australia Cup quarter-finals, but Queensland Lions are banging in goals for fun in NPL Queensland and look capable of getting on the scoresheet in defeat at Spencer Park on Tuesday night.
After falling in the Australia Cup R32 in the last two years, City will be keen to convert this run into the R16 into a big result - especially with so many A-League clubs suffering early eliminations.
City cruised past Weston Bears 3-0 in their opening game of the competition and hold the upper hand here - but this should prove a tougher assignment.
The Lions have won 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions and were runaway leaders in NPL Queensland this year to win the minor premiership. They've scored 55 goals in just 21 league games this term and produced a Cupset in their R32, edging out Perth Glory on penalties.
City are much stronger A-League opposition, but the Lions won't be intimidated at home as they chase a first ever quarter-final appearance in this competition.
However, now City have sunk their teeth into the Australia Cup and have a bit more matchplay under their belt following last week's friendly with Palermo, the A-League side should prove too classy.
Queensland Lions vs Melbourne City Stats & Trends
- Lions have scored 1+ goal in their last 24 games
- Lions have won 12 of their last 13 games
- Lions have scored 51 goals in 21 NPL QLD games this season
- City have conceded 1+ goal in four of their last five games in all comps
Queensland Lions vs Melbourne City Head To Head
This will be the first meeting between the two clubs.
Queensland Lions Form Analysis
The Lions produced an excellent display to edge out Perth Glory in the Australia Cup R32 after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of normal time.
Jerson Lagos put the Lions in front in the 95th minute, but the QLD NPL leaders were forced into a shootout after Perth equalised 13 minutes later. The Lions scored all four of their spot kicks as Glory missed two to secure a famous victory.
It backs up what has been a dominant NPL campaign for the Lions - they've won 16 of their 21 games, wrapped up the minor premiership and defeated Peninsula 1-0 and Brisbane Roar U23s 4-2 since toppling Perth.
Queensland Lions Team News
Striker Alexander Fiechtner has scored 32 goals in NPL Queensland and will be hoping that form translates into the Cup.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Cardiff Pond | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | Luke Borean | Australia |
| Defender | Dom Horwood | Australia |
| Defender | Jackson Hart-Phillips | Australia |
| Defender | Tommy Jarrard | Australia |
| Defender | Josh Brindell-South | Australia |
| Defender | Jake Minett | Australia |
| Defender | Alwin Komolong | Papua New Guinea |
| Midfielder | Matthew Ridenton | New Zealand |
| Midfielder | Joe Duckworth | Australia |
| Midfielder | Shaun Carlos | Australia |
| Midfielder | Fletcher McDonald | Australia |
| Midfielder | James Enticknap | Australia |
| Forward | Alex Fiechtner | Australia |
| Forward | Andy Pengelly | Australia |
| Forward | Luke Broderick | Australia |
| Forward | Jack Skinner | Australia |
| Forward | Finn Beakhearst | Australia |
Melbourne City Form Analysis
City endured an inconsistent A-League campaign but did enough to sneak into the finals, finishing sixth after balancing domestic commitments with the AFC Champions League.
Aurelio Vidmar's side found form at the perfect time, winning its final four regular-season matches to secure a place in the top six.
Their finals campaign was short-lived, however. City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Adelaide before their season came to an end in a penalty shootout loss to eventual champions Auckland.
City returned to competitive action in the Australia Cup R32, easing past Northern NSW NPL side Weston Bears 3-0. Lawrence Wong put City ahead before fellow Academy graduates Besian Kutleshi and Medin Memet also got on the scoresheet in a dominant win.
The club's best Australia Cup result was in 2016 when City secured the silverware, while they also finished runner-up in 2019.
Melbourne City Team News
City have been busy in the transfer market recently, luring Socceroos winger Awer Mabil back to the country from La Liga 2 side Castellon.
Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto has also arrived on a season-long loan. Both players could feature in this clash.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Macklin Freke | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | James Nieuwenhuizen | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | Lachlan Charles | Australia |
| Defender | Harrison Delbridge | Australia |
| Defender | Liam Bonetig | Australia |
| Defender | Nathaniel Atkinson | Australia |
| Defender | Besian Kutleshi | Australia |
| Defender | Aziz Behich (captain) | Australia |
| Defender | Peter Antoniou (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Ryan Kalms | Australia |
| Defender | Jayden Necovski (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Mathew Baker | Indonesia |
| Midfielder | Matheus Rossetto (on loan from Fortaleza) | Brazil |
| Midfielder | Quinn MacNicol | Australia |
| Midfielder | Alessandro Lopane | Australia |
| Midfielder | Kavian Rahmani | Australia |
| Midfielder | Beckham Baker | Australia |
| Midfielder | Lawrence Wong (scholarship) | Australia |
| Forward | Mathew Leckie | Australia |
| Forward | Andrew Nabbout | Australia |
| Forward | Max Caputo | Australia |
| Forward | Benjamin Mazzeo | Australia |
| Forward | Medin Memeti | Australia |
| Forward | Akeem Gerald | Australia |
| Forward | Roland Ballah | Australia |
| Forward | Takeshi Kanamori | Japan |
| Forward | Awer Mabil | Australia |
Verdict
City's class should see them through, but the Lions are dangerous going forward and can get on the scoresheet.
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