- APIA Leichhardt Tigers are one of the strongest teams in NPL New South Wales, but come into this game on the back of back-to-back defeats.
- Peninsula Power are in scorchers form in NPL Queensland, winning their last five matches, scoring at least twice in each.
- Peninsula Power are 4.0 to win the Australia Cup Round of 32 clash at APIA Leichhardt, who are odds-on at 1.62. Draw is 4.0.
Punter's Paradise on Leichhardt Oval
APIA Leichhardt Tigers are a side in the New South Wales NPL, but Peninsula Power will arrive on Leichhardt Oval in full stride on Tuesday and we think the visitors have a great chance of winning the Australia Cup's most intriguing Round of 32 match.
APIA have won three straight matches in the NPL New South Wales, recording 2-0 wins over Manly United and Wollongong Wolves before a 3-1 away victory at Blacktown City, but two straight defeats to Rockdale Ilinden and Sutherland Sharks shows their ceiling.
Dean Zammit's men play a front-foot, high-tempo style based around aggressive pressing and quick, vertical football and will be a handful for Peninsula, who have a more compact, more disciplined approach. Peninsula Power are more of a counterattacking team with wide runners and a quick ability to break.
Presley Ortiz can be the difference
This clash is set up to be a classic possessor-versus-counterpunch match-up with APIA set to press high and Peninsula looking to punish space behind the full-backs. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals looks a good choice for this game at 1.57 and 1.53 respectively, but we are taking Peninsula Power at 4.0 for the main bet because they have been so ruthless in Queensland recently.
Peninsula Power have momentum
Aaron Philp's side have won their last five senior competitive games, scoring at least two goals in each, and sit at the top of the NPL Queensland on 42 points from 18 matches. They thrashed Gold Coast United 4-0 and also recorded 3-1 wins over Brisbane Roar II and Eastern Suburbs.
Hiroshi Miyazawa is the headline act after his hat-trick against Brisbane Roar II, but Joshua Woolley also bagged a brace at Eastern Suburbs while Niyah Joseph is part of a multi-pronged attack that can do damage once the counters start flying.
Presley Ortiz is the main threat for APIA, coming off a goal and assist against Wollongong Wolves, and he looks the most likely to punish any Peninsula Power mistakes on Tuesday. Oscar Gonzalez can provide a bit of creativity between the lines, while Cameron Fong adds to APIA's directness after scoring against the Wolves.
