- St George City FA U20 beat SD Raiders U20 4-3 when they last met in March 2026
- SD Raiders U20 have lost none of their last four NPL NSW U20 games (W2, D2)
- St George City FA U20 have won three of their four games in the NPL NSW U20 competition, losing one
City can nick six-pointer as a play-off fixture
St George City FA U20 are currently second in the NPL NSW U20s on nine points from four games, while SD Raiders U20 are fifth on eight points from the same number of fixtures, so this Saturday's stoush is definitely a top-end contest.
City nicked the last head-to-head between the clubs in the NPL NSW U20s when beating SD Raiders 4-3 on 14 March 2026 in a fixture that has produced some tight, action-packed games since 2020. Manny Spanoudakis' side have been all-action in 2026, beating Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0, Sydney Olympic 4-2 and St George Saints 6-2 before a 2-3 defeat to NWS Spirit.
City's players are well drilled, well compacted and ready to burst forward on the turn, with Luke Orsina a constant spark for the goals since getting on the scoresheet at the start of June. Spanoudakis will have no fears of this team getting dragged into a sloppy game as they have plenty of bite in the spine and can match the Raiders in terms of ball control, but they may struggle to beat the home team.
SD Raiders a touch short on an edge
Nick Carle and Goran Ljuboja have instilled a similar culture in the Raiders' U20s program, prioritising technical development, flexible shapes and progression from the back. That is a good recipe for success at this level, but the 4-5 loss to Sutherland earlier in the NPL NSW U20 season shows they can get pulled into the mire.
SD Raiders U20 have drawn 2-2 with Sydney Utd and Rockdale and beaten Sydney Olympic 1-0 and UNSW 1-0 in their last four NPL NSW U20s and they should have enough to get a result in this contest.
Riley Cox-Barlow and Sebastian Malfara give the Raiders balance and bite, and the latter has been especially influential in the midfield build-up in 2026. The best angle on this game is Over 2.5 goals at 1.28 and both teams to score at 1.28, which will cover the potential for an open game on Saturday, but a BTTS-Yes play is also likely to be necessary as this could be a tight draw.
Raidres’ Mihael Marcic is a marker for the game
The 2.04 favourites rate as a bit short for the home side here as City have a point total of 9 from 4 matches so far, but the 2.83 on offer for St George is also unattractive. The draw, at 3.88, looks the best place to be, but with Haydar Hijazi and Hugo McAteer adding to City's threat, both having scored in recent NPL NSW U20 matches, a 1-2 away win looks the most likely upset scenario.
1-1 looks the safest score line forecast as, although City can certainly win this game on the counter-attack, cool and possibly damp conditions at Ernie Smith Reserve will favour the counters and the late set piece could be as important as the first one in this one.
