Adelaide United vs Melbourne City FFA Cup Tips, Predictions and Match Preview – Can Adelaide go back-to-back?

The season’s first piece of silverware will be decided at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night as Adelaide United and Melbourne City square off in the FFA Cup final.

It’s the second encounter between these teams in the space of a few days after a Jamie Maclaren double propelled City to a 2-1 victory at home on Sunday in the A-League – but can they repeat that performance when it matters most?

City, the 2016 FFA Cup champions, will have to do something no team has done in the last five years if they want to win a second FFA Cup trophy, and that’s win away from home in the final.

Erick Mombaerts’ side started their campaign with a 3-1 win over Campbelltown City before more big wins in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, beating Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 and Brisbane Strikers 5-1.

City have also made a promising start to the A-League, dominating a goalless draw with Victory before Sunday’s win over Adelaide, with Maclaren in blistering form for both club and country.

Meanwhile, Adelaide are the most successful club in the FFA Cup’s short history, winning the title twice in 2014 and 2018 and reaching the final in four of the previous six years.

The Reds defeated Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium to win the FFA Cup 12 months ago and will be hoping for repeat celebrations on Wednesday night. Gertjan Verbeek’s team conquered a pair of NPL teams to begin their run to the final against Melbourne Knights and Olympic FC before edging past 10-man Newcastle and 10-man Central Coast in the quarter-finals and semi-finals by 1-0 and 2-1 scorelines respectively.

However, Adelaide haven’t had a great start to the A-League, losing their first two games by one goal to Sydney and City.

City have the form and confidence after Sunday’s win, but that should all go out the window by kick-off on Wednesday. History has shown the home team has a massive advantage in FFA Cup finals, and if Adelaide can fine-tune their display from Sunday, their passionate fans might be the 12th man they need to successfully defend their title.

Melbourne City – $2.40

Adelaide United – $2.70

Draw (after 90 mins) – $3.40