SD Raiders vs Sydney FC Verdict
Sydney FC gave the firepower to end SD Raiders fairytale run to the Australia Cup quarter-finals. The Sky Blues have scored nine goals in two wins to this points and can end the giantkilling run of the Raiders with a win to nil.
- Eight of Sydney's last 12 wins have been to nil
- Three of Raiders' last five defeats have been to nil
- Raiders failed to score inside 90 mins vs Macarthur in the R16
Head To Head
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
SD Raiders Form
It's been a great campaign for SD Raiders in the NSW NPL, with the club firmly in the hunt for a maiden finals appearance in the competition.
After 28 rounds, the Raiders sit seventh on the ladder, narrowly outside the top six on goal difference.
They've surged into contention after winning four of their last five games - but they missed the chance to leapfrog Manly into the top six after going down 3-1 to league leaders APIA Leichhardt this past weekend.
The Raiders have also enjoyed a landmark Australia Cup campaign. They reached the Round of 16 for the first time in club history by defeating Rochedale Rovers 2-1, before creating more history by overcoming Macarthur FC to book their place in the quarter-finals.
After a 0-0 stalemate in normal time, the Raiders went behind in extra-time before forcing penalties, where goalkeeper Michael Figueira was the hero.
Sydney FC Form
Sydney endured an inconsistent start to the A-League season before hitting top form when it mattered most, eliminating Melbourne Victory and minor premiers Newcastle Jets to reach the Grand Final.
The Sky Blues were unable to complete the job, however, going down 1-0 to Auckland in the decider. Earlier in the campaign, Auckland had also ended Sydney's Australia Cup hopes with a quarter-final victory.
Patrick Kisnorbo took over late in the regular season and made an immediate impact, tightening Sydney's defence as the side conceded just five goals across its final eight matches under his management.
Sydney opened their 2026 Australia Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 victory over Bayswater City in the Round of 32. Teenage talent Akol Akon starred with three assists, Thiago Quintal netted a superb hat-trick, while Mathias Macallister and Zachary De Jesus also found the back of the net.
The team also impressed in a high-profile friendly against Tottenham Hotspur, earning an impressive 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. New Japanese signing Takahiro Sekine marked his unofficial debut by coming off the bench to score the equaliser.
The Sky Blues backed it up with a big 4-2 win over Brisbane Roar in the R16 last week, with Sekine and Quintal scoring once again, while Ben Garuccio chipped in with a goal and assist. Gabriel Popovic iced the game in stoppage time.