- Hills United FC are in 5th place in the New South Wales League 1 table with 14 points from 8 games, compared to Hakoah Sydney City East’s 13th place standing.
- Hakoah Sydney City East have not beaten Hills United FC in the last 3 games, failing to win either of their last 2 home meetings.
- Hills United FC have conceded eight goals in four away matches, an average of 2.00 goals per away game in New South Wales League 1 2026.
Hills United FC to hold the edge
A clash of tactical styles awaits in Sydney on Thursday when Hakoah Sydney City East welcome Hills United FC to Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Hills United FC boss Patrick Zwaanswijk has implemented a style that is more balanced than previous seasons, maintaining defensive structure and balance to allow his side to play a vertical style of football.
Zwaanswijk has recruited some talented players who can provide the pace to hurt teams on the counter with their directness, and his team’s ability to press in coordination and force turnovers has been impressive.
The result has been a solid start to the season for Hills United, who have won two of their four away games, drawn one and lost the other.
Hills have drawn their last two games, so there is an obvious trend for stalemates in recent times, but this is an interesting matchup with Hakoah playing in a very different manner.
Their style is much more patient and low-tempo, with conservative pressing, a compact shape and a desire to stifle their opponents and play through the wide channels or from set-pieces.
Hakoah’s wide players and set-piece specialists have provided their attacking spark so far, but they have scored only three goals in three home league games in 2026.
Hakoah boss Sharpley has led his team to 8 points from 8 matches in the New South Wales League 1, leaving them in 13th place after no wins, three draws and two defeats in their last five.
The odds on this game seem skewed to the away side, with Hills United 2.2, Hakoah 2.54 and the draw at 3.78, suggesting the favourites may have the edge.
We’re taking that edge, and the two wins in the last three meetings between the teams, the 5-0 win in Hills United’s favour from 2025 and the fact that Hakoah have not won at home yet (2 draws and a loss from 3) into consideration.
But the ‘Both teams to score - Yes’ option is heavily favoured at 1.38 because neither side is known for their defensive fortitude and there could be some end-to-end action if Hills get on the front foot and Hakoah play with the ball at their feet.
