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Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
#ADLvWEL
Venue: Marden Sports Complex, Marden, Adelaide
KO: 7.30pm local (8pm AEST).
This will be one of the trickiest tests for Adelaide United in some time. For this they’ll be minus coach Josep Gombau and some of his coaching staff all seconded to the Foxtel A-League All Stars. Joining them in Sydney is captain Eugene Galekovic along with playmaker Marcelo Carrusca.
Oh and just to make it even more interesting, the Reds aren’t even playing at their regular home with the game being shifted to Marden. The Reds go into the game having lost 5-1 to Malaga at Adelaide Oval and winning 1-0 over Perth. They’ve also played local side the Comets winning that 4-1.
Phoenix come to South Australia without two of their own key men in midfielder Albert Riera and defender Manny Muscat, also in the Foxtel A-League All Stars. But after their fabulous win over West Ham recently, confidence will be high in the camp. Watch out for new signing Alex Rodriguez Gorrin – the former Sunderland player looks sharp.
Newcastle Jets vs Perth Glory
#NEWvPER
Venue: Magic Park, Broadmeadow, Newcastle
KO: 7.30pm (AEST)
Both sides have started pre-season in strong form, particularly the Jets who warmed up for their first foray in the Cup competition with an 8-1 demolition of Weston Bears last week.
New recruit Jeronimo Neumann scored four goals on his Jets debut in that match and will be keen to continue that form at Magic Park.
The Jets will be without goalkeeper Mark Birighitti who is on Foxtel A-League All Stars duty, with Ben Kennedy expected to get the nod between the sticks.
And he could be in for a busy night with the Glory boasting a line-up full of attacking talent, including Andy Keogh, Richard Garcia and Mitch Nichols.
Kenny Lowe’s side will also be full of confidence after an impressive showing in their 1-1 friendly draw with Malaga last month. However, Youssouf Hersi and Michael Thwaite are also absent on Foxtel A-League All Stars duty, Daniel De Silva is with the Young Socceroos. Ruben Zadkovich and Rostyn Griffiths are injured while there are doubts about Brazilian attacker Sidnei who has a calf problem. Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is favoured to wear the skipper’s armband.
Parramatta FC vs St Albans Saints
#PARvSAS
Venue: Melita Stadium, Sefton, Sydney
KO: 7.30pm (AEST)
Parramatta FC will be looking to revive the club's glory days by embarking on a memorable cup run when they host St Albans Saints SC.
Parramatta, two-time former NSL Cup winners, go into the game six points clear at the top of NPL NSW 2, unbeaten in 14 league matches, with their last defeat a 4-2 loss at home to Macarthur Rams in April.
Daniel Rezo is the Eagles' leading goal-scorer this season with nine in 19 appearances, while Frank Martey has notched seven in 19 and Shayne Ardle has chipped in with five in as many matches.
Standing between them and a place in the last 16 are St Albans, fourth in NPL Victoria 1 and boasting an impressive unbeaten run of their own. The Saints have won three and drawn five of their last eight league outings, leaving them just three points behind second-placed North Geelong in a congested chasing pack.
Barry Devlin has been St Albans' chief threat this term, with seven strikes in 17 appearances, although the goal-scoring burden has been shared around at Churchill Reserve. Sean Mcilroy has hit the back of the net four times, while Adam Nakic, Brodie Paterson and Juso Julardzija all have three apiece.
A cracking tie awaits in this Sydney v Melbourne match-up.
South Hobart United vs Tuggeranong United
#SHvTUG
Venue: KGV Park, Glenorchy, Hobart
KO: 7.30pm (AEST)
South Hobart have one of the wiliest and longest serving coaches in the Cup. And Ken Morton believes his side’s experience in last year’s NPL finals series – where they reached the finale only to be beaten by Sydney United – will benefit them on another huge night for the club and Tasmanian football when the side from the capital arrive.
Currently South are runaway leaders atop the Victory League but go in on the back of a 0-0 draw with Hobart Zebras. Watch out for key men Hugh Ludford and striker Brayden Mann.
The ACT outfit are not doing nearly as well in the league but as we know, domestic form usually has little to do with the Cup. And there’s a real togetherness in the Tuggies’ camp - knowing they are underdogs will suit coach Steve Foreshaw and his men as they seek a famous win in Tasmania.
They head to Hobart on the back of a thumping 5-1 win away to Monaro Panthers on the weekend. Matt Menser with a brace for the Tuggies in a morale-boosting win over a young Panthers.
And with ACT product and Socceroo Carl Valeri’s words of encouragement, you shouldn’t write off the team in green and white.