Sydney vs Macarthur Prediction: Three in a row for Sky Blues

In the first of two games from the Australian A-League Men's on Sunday (04:00 GMT, TNT Sports 3), Sydney FC host Macarthur FC at Allianz Stadium. Both sides lost their opening league contests but have recovered to take six and four points from their latest two, respectively.

Below are my Sydney vs Macarthur predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Ben Garuccio (quad) and Mathias Macallister (calf) are out injured for Sydney, who have included Corey Hollman and Akol Akon in their extended squad.

Football Odds

As for Macarthur, Chris Ikonomidis, Bernardo, Dean Bosnjak and Sebastian Krslovic (all unspecified) are still sidelined, while Frans Deli has taken Henrique Oliveira's spot in the extended squad.

Sydney vs Macarthur Odds

Sydney are 7/10 favourites to win on Sunday, implying a 58.8% probability of success, while Macarthur are 3/1, or a 25% chance, to triumph at Allianz Stadium for the second season running, having edged proceedings 2-1 in November 2024.

The draw is priced at 11/4, both teams to score at 1/2, and over 3.5 total goals at 6/5.

Player to Receive a Card - Luke Brattan @ 15/8

Luke Brattan started his ALM career at Brisbane Roar, where he was shown six yellow cards in his final two seasons at the club before joining Melbourne City.

The Hull-born, Australia-raised midfielder picked up six cautions in each of his first two league campaigns with City before dropping down one to five in 2018/19.

Brattan subsequently left for Sydney, where he was booked 33 times and shown one red (league only).

The one-cap Socceroo was on the move once more last year, linking up with Macarthur, for whom he was shown seven yellows in 26 ALM appearances. One of those bookings came against his former club, Sydney, in the Sky Blues’ 2-0 win at Campbelltown Stadium in March.

Today's Football Fixtures

Brattan was booked in the first half of his first league game this season, making five fouls in total against Brisbane Roar on October 17 as the Bulls fell to a 1-0 defeat at Suncorp Stadium.

The 35-year-old, who averaged 1.3 fouls per ALM match in 2024/25, received his second yellow of the campaign on Thursday as Macarthur beat Cong An Ha Noi 2-1 in the AFC Champions League 2.

On Sunday, he could be in a midfield battle with Paul Okon-Engstler, who has been fouled five times across his first three league appearances this term.

Match Result & Total Goals Over/Under 3.5 - Sydney & Under 3.5 @ 9/5

The last five regular-season meetings between Sydney and Macarthur have finished with three or fewer goals, with just two struck in March as the Sky Blues claimed all three points.

All seven of Macarthur’s games across the AFC Champions League 2 (four) and ALM games this term have ended with under 3.5 goals.

Sydney, meanwhile, saw their first five matches across the Australia Cup (three) and ALM (two) finish with three or fewer strikes, before thrashing Newcastle Jets 4-1 last time out.

The Sky Blues began the new league season with a 2-1 defeat at Adelaide United but are now targeting a third consecutive victory, while the Bulls are looking to secure their first away point/s after opening up the campaign with a 1-0 loss at Brisbane Roar.

Having been in continental action in midweek, the visitors may not be as fresh as their hosts on Sunday, so adding that to Sydney’s superior individual quality and home advantage, I’m backing Ufuk Talay’s team to edge this contest.

Offers

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