SD Raiders vs Macarthur FC Australia Cup Tips & Prediction - Raiders can challenge Macarthur in R16
SD Raiders face Macarthur FC in the Australia Cup R16 after showing significant improvement since their 5-0 elimination last year. Now seventh in NSW NPL and on a five-game winning run, the Raiders have momentum, but Macarthur remain favorites despite a rebuild and less convincing recent form. Experts tip that while Macarthur should win, the Raiders are likely to keep the game close, cover a +1.5 handicap, and score. Expect a competitive match as both sides look to advance.
- SD Raiders vs Macarthur FC predictions for Tuesday's Australia Cup R16 game
- Raiders have revenge on their minds after great last 12 months
- Macarthur tipped to win, but Raiders to keep it close
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Tuesday August 11
SD Raiders vs Macarthur FC Australia Cup Tips & Prediction
SD Raiders have made considerable progress since suffering Australia Cup elimination to Macarthur FC last year - it will still be a tall order to advance, but they can keep this game relatively close and find the back of the net on Tuesday night at Fairfield Showground.
The Raiders suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Macarthur in the Australia Cup R32 last year, but they have improved considerably since that result and will be eager to showcase that level when the two teams meet again, this time in the R16.
Indeed, the Raiders earned promotion into the NPL NSW and are currently sitting in seventh spot on the ladder, coming into this clash on the back of a five-game winning streak, scoring 3+ goals in three of their last four. They also made the semi-finals of the Waratah Cup last year, so there's positive vibes around the Raiders right now.
Macarthur meanwhile endured a disappointing A-League campaign and lost 16 players at the end of the season, so there's lots of moving parts and turnaround going on. Macarthur were expected to absolutely demolish NPL Northern Territory side Azzurri United in their R32 clash, but only managed a 3-0 win, with two of those goals coming after the 60th minute.
With Macarthur still working on simply building their squad for this upcoming season, the Raiders should fancy themselves to trouble their A-League opposition here. They probably won't win, but I'm backing the Raiders to cover a +1.5 handicap and find the back of the net.
SD Raiders vs Macarthur FC Stats & Trends
- Raiders have won their last five games
- Raiders have scored 1+ goal in 20 of their last 23 games
- Raiders have covered a +1.5 handicap in 16 of their last 17 games
- Macarthur have seen BTTS land in six of their last eight games
SD Raiders vs Macarthur FC Head To Head
This will be the second meeting after Macarthur eased to a 5-0 victory in the Australia Cup R32 last year.
SD Raiders Form Analysis
It's been a great campaign in the top flight of the NSW NPL for the Raiders.
They are sitting in seventh spot after 27 games, only outside of the finals positions on goal difference.
The Raiders are making a late dash for the finals after putting together a four-game winning streak, including a most-recent 3-0 win over the Wanderers U21s.
It's also been a historic Australia Cup run as the Raiders advanced to the R16 for the first time with a 2-1 triumph over Rochedale.
SD Raiders Team News
Noah Chianese and Jakov Malbasa have each scored seven goals in the NPL NSW this term and will be determined to make an impact in this clash.
Luka Knezevic was also on target in the R32 win over Rochedale.
| Position | Player | No. |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Michael Figueira | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | William Loucas | 40 |
| Defender | Ethan Beaven | 47 |
| Defender | Cooper Hanagan | 4 |
| Defender | James Letta (C) | 8 |
| Defender | Jett McCure-Shore | 5 |
| Defender | Lachlan McGrath | 12 |
| Defender | Charlie Ragg | 18 |
| Defender | Thomas Santarossa | 11 |
| Defender | Yonatan Sebhatu | 22 |
| Defender | Tristan Scott | 28 |
| Midfielder | Ham Donghwa | 13 |
| Midfielder | Lachlan Everett | 6 |
| Midfielder | Mingu Kang | 36 |
| Midfielder | Luka Knezevic | 10 |
| Midfielder | Matthew Lee | 15 |
| Midfielder | Thomas Makko | 23 |
| Midfielder | Sebastian Malfara (VC) | 21 |
| Midfielder | Mihael Marcic | 7 |
| Forward | Justin Chan Frias | 99 |
| Forward | Noah Chianese | 14 |
| Forward | Riley Cox-Barlow | 19 |
| Forward | Robert Eremugo | 37 |
| Forward | Martin Fernandez | 17 |
| Forward | Jakov Malbasa | 9 |
| Forward | Oliver Velnic | 16 |
Macarthur FC Form Analysis
It was a challenging A-League campaign for Macarthur, with the club balancing domestic duties alongside its AFC Champions League Two commitments.
The Bulls eventually finished seventh on the ladder, narrowly missing out on the finals after ending the season four points outside the top six. A costly run of six defeats in their final nine matches saw their finals hopes slip away.
Macarthur will be aiming to bounce back this season and the Australia Cup has been kind to them over the years, winning the trophy in 2022 and 2024.
It wasn't the most convincing of starts, with Macarthur - who were $1.01 favourites - struggling to put away Azzurri United before closing out a 3-0 victory.
Macarthur FC Team News
Michael Pratezina, Ben Gibson and Connor Pain all got on the scoresheet in the R32.
Macarthur's signings haven't really caught the eye this transfer window, with their latest recruit Kai Kennedy joining from Scottish League One side Queen Of The South, where he managed 10 goals in 57 games.
| Position | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Alexander Robinson | Australia |
| Goalkeeper | James Hilton | Australia |
| Defender | Jonathan Aspropotamitis | Australia |
| Defender | Harry Politidis | Australia |
| Defender | Nathan Paull | Australia |
| Defender | Callum Talbot | Australia |
| Defender | Sebastian Krslovic (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Will McKay (scholarship) | Australia |
| Defender | Harry Menham (scholarship) | Australia |
| Midfielder | Connor Pain | Australia |
| Midfielder | Oliver Randazzo | Australia |
| Midfielder | Liam Rose | Australia |
| Midfielder | Kosta Grozos | Australia |
| Forward | Luke Vickery | Australia |
| Forward | Ben Gibson | Australia |
| Forward | Bernardo Oliveira | Australia |
| Forward | Michael Pratezina (scholarship) | Australia |
| Forward | Henrique Oliveira (scholarship) | Australia |
| Forward | Dean Bosnjak | Australia |
| Forward | Jing Reec | Australia |
| Forward | Zane Helweh (scholarship) | Australia |
| Forward | Kai Kennedy | Scotland |
Verdict
SD Raiders are tipped to make this a competitive contest, but Macarthur should be able to dig out the win.
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