- Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves narrowly beat Salisbury United Reserves 3-2 in the only State League 1 Reserves match in 2026. Salisbury United Reserves have lost four of their last five games, with a 2-1 win over Adelaide Atletico being the only win. Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves are a mid-to-lower table side with 8-11 points, sitting above Salisbury in the table.
Sides to clash at PSD Energy Park
Two State League 1 sides will be in action on Saturday in Adelaide as Salisbury United Reserves host Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves in a reserves double header that will test the depth and integration of youth in each squad.
Phil Stubbins has had a tricky first half to the season at Salisbury United with his side languishing at or near the bottom of the table and scoring fewer goals than anyone else in the division. Stubbins will not be too perturbed by the form book, however, as the club has always been about development and structure and if the players are ready and able to play well, a climb up the ladder will follow.
The Raiders, on the other hand, are having a typical season of ups and downs under Phil Scardigno. The reserve side has been solid enough to sit mid-to-lower of the State League 1 table, but the reserves have been all over the place with a 2-1 win over Modbury Jets preceded by a loss to Adelaide Olympic.
Rangers have a knack for a late winner
Both managers will be looking for a win to boost morale for Saturday's reserve match and the hosts will be desperate for a victory in front of their home fans. But the visitors will probably edge it given the recent form of both sides, the odds and the fact that they have a bit more talent up top.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves have some experienced players in the team, such as Luca Fedele and Davi Sene Yoshimura, but have been getting goals from both ends of the spectrum. Leon Scardigno scored the winner against Modbury Jets in the 88th minute, while Sene Yoshimura, 21, has also been getting his share of goals.
The Raiders have been playing a more possession-based approach this season, either in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 systems, and will look to press high up the field and play through the thirds. Salisbury have been very pragmatic, playing 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 and sitting in a mid-block to frustrate and hit on the break when they can.
Over 2.5 goals a clear starting point
Salisbury United Reserves hope to hit on the break against a porous Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves defence. The odds of 1.63 for Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves to beat 3.7 outsiders Salisbury United Reserves make no sense when the form of the teams is taken into account.
We're taking Over 2.5 goals at 1.21 to be the starting point for the match, as both sides have shown they can't defend their way out of a paper bag. The cool and cloudy Adelaide weather should also suit a technical game that is low on tempo and the sides will clash in terms of playing styles.
A 2-1 or 1-0 win for Adelaide Croatia Raiders Reserves is the most likely result as they have a little more quality and the visitors have a real knack of scoring late goals.
