Oakleigh Cannons welcome Macarthur FC to Jack Edwards Reserve for an Australian Cup quarterfinal tie on Saturday. The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 victory over South Melbourne in the NPL Victoria final.
Emlyn Wellsmore's 72nd-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The Cannons will turn their focus to the cup, having booked their spot at this stage with a penalty shootout victory over Heidelberg United in the round of 16. A 1-1 draw after extra time prompted penalties, where Oakleigh advanced with a 4-1 victory.
Macarthur, meanwhile, eliminated Newcastle Jets with a 4-3 comeback away victory in the last round. They were two goals down at the break courtesy of first-half goals from Kosta Grozos and Mark Natta. Valere Germain scored a brace within nine minutes of the second half to draw the game level. Thomas Aquilina restored Newcastle Jets' lead but Marin Jakolis scored a brace to help the visitors advance.
The winner of this tie will face South Melbourne in the semifinal.
Oakleigh vs Macarthur Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two sides were drawn in the 2022 Australian Cup semifinal. Macarthur advanced with a 5-2 victory.
- Oakleigh have won their last eight games across competitions on the spin.
- Nine of Macarthur's last 10 games have produced three goals or more.
- Oakleigh's last four competitive games have witnessed more goals scored in the second half than the first.
- Macarthur have conceded at least two goals in their last four games and in six of their last eight.
- Six of Macarthur's last eight games have witnessed more goals scored in the second half than the first.
Oakleigh vs Macarthur Prediction
Oakleigh Cannons have already eliminated top-flight opposition in the cup this season. They claimed a 3-1 victory over Sydney FC in the first round of the cup. That win was the second in their current eight-game winning run.
Macarthur have been involved in high-scoring games over the last few months. They enter this game as favorites and the Bulls defeated Oakleigh en route to winning their sole Australian Cup title in 2022.
We are backing the visitors to claim a comfortable win with goals at both ends.
Prediction: Oakleigh 1-3 Macarthur
Oakleigh vs Macarthur Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Macarthur to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Highest scoring half: Second half