- Hills United FC are unbeaten in their last five matches, with two wins and three draws.
- Hurstville ZFC are steady but not spectacular at home, winning one and drawing one of their last two.
- Hills United are a positive side with a lot of width and forward momentum but have been conceding goals on the road.
Hills can outplay Hurstville
Hills United FC, who sit sixth on 32 points from 20 games, are a superior team to Hurstville ZFC, who are 11th on 23 points from the same number of games, but this will be a close game on Saturday in the New South Wales League 1 2026.
The two sides met in this competition three months ago, when Hills United FC took the win at home with a 3-2 scoreline, and this contest should again be a tight and interesting affair. The bookmakers are on the same page with Hills United set at 2.45, Hurstville next at 2.38 and the draw priced at 3.52.
The value bet looks to be on the hosts, who are coming in at a top price of 2.38 for this, but it is perhaps a little short considering Hills United have more momentum in their play. They have also been better away from home recently, going unbeaten in two away with two wins, while Hurstville have won one and drawn one of their two previous home fixtures.
Two sides with contrasting styles
Hills United are probably the more positive side in New South Wales League 1 2026 with plenty of width and a tendency to push full-backs forward, while Hurstville are more structured and pragmatic.
The hosts, under coach Silvestro, are a patient and possession-based team that punish sides with their set-piece prowess and are sturdy at the back. They have conceded only 14 goals in 11 home league games, which should give them a platform from which to play in this contest.
Hills United's turnover in the coaching ranks has not prevented them from grinding out results, but it has made them less predictable in some respects.
But Hills still look a cut above the opposition on Saturday and can make this tough for Hurstville, who will look to keep the game tight through compact defending, patient possession and set-piece threats.
A one-goal away win or score draw makes the most appeal here, as Hills United's attack should create enough to make their mark against a disciplined home side.
