Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | A-League 2025/26

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Match Preview

A massive top-four clash closes out Round 11 at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday, 5 January 2026. Macarthur FC enter the new year in scintillating form, sitting 4th with 18 points and riding a five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. The Bulls showcased their resilience with a gritty 1–0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year’s Day, following a chaotic 5–4 victory against Newcastle Jets.

In contrast, league leaders Auckland FC (20 points) are looking to bounce back immediately. The visitors suffered a shock 1–3 home defeat to Newcastle Jets on January 1st, a result that snapped their three-match winning run. With Macarthur just two points behind, a win for the Bulls would see them leapfrog the Black Knights in the standings, adding massive stakes to this Monday night fixture.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Match Info

• Competition: Isuzu UTE A-League (Matchday 11)
• Venue: Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney (Capacity: 17,500)
• Date: Monday, 5 January 2026
• Kickoff: 19:00 AEDT | 08:00 GMT
• Referee: Adam Kersey (AUS)

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Match Stakes

Macarthur FC (4th — 18 pts):

• Win → Moves to 21 pts; leapfrogs Auckland FC and potentially Sydney FC to challenge for top spot.
• Draw → Extends unbeaten run to 6 matches; keeps them firmly in the top 4 mix.
• Loss → Momentum halt; gap to league leaders widens to 5 points.

Auckland FC (1st — 20 pts):

• Win → Moves to 23 pts; solidifies 1st place and restores confidence after the Jets loss.
• Draw → Stabilizes the ship after a poor result; maintains the 2-point buffer over Macarthur.
• Loss → Second consecutive defeat; risks losing top spot to Sydney FC or Brisbane Roar.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Team News

Macarthur FC:

• Ji Dong-Won — Out (Ankle Injury)
• Krslovic S. — Out (Injury)
• Politidis H. — Out (Inactive)
• Caceres A. — Questionable (Injury – Key Playmaker)
• Form: The attack is firing on all cylinders, scoring 13 goals in their last 5 games.
• Selection: Mile Sterjovski is likely to stick with the winning formula, with Valere Germain (if available) or Rafael Duran leading the line.

Auckland FC:

• Pijnaker N. — Out (Ankle Injury – Defensive Leader Missing)
• Sakai H. — Questionable (Fitness/Rotation)
• Defensive Wobble: Without Pijnaker, the defense looked vulnerable against Newcastle (conceding 3). Dan Hall will need to step up.
• Attack: Sam Cosgrove and Jesse Randall remain the key threats, having combined for a significant portion of Auckland’s goals.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Macarthur FC

• 01/01 — 1–0 vs WS Wanderers (A-League)
• 26/12 — 5–4 vs Newcastle Jets (A-League)
• 23/12 — 1–1 vs Melbourne City (A-League)
• 19/12 — 2–1 vs Brisbane Roar (A-League)
• 11/12 — 2–1 vs Beijing Guoan (ACL Two)

Auckland FC

• 01/01 — 1–3 vs Newcastle Jets (A-League)
• 19/12 — 2–0 vs WS Wanderers (A-League)
• 12/12 — 2–1 vs Central Coast Mariners (A-League)
• 06/12 — 3–1 vs Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
• 30/11 — 1–2 vs Newcastle Jets (A-League)

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Head-to-Head (Last Meetings)

• 01/02/2025 — Auckland FC 2–1 Macarthur FC (A-League)
• 24/11/2024 — Macarthur FC 0–1 Auckland FC (A-League)
• Note: Auckland FC has won both previous competitive meetings against the Bulls.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Macarthur FC (4-4-2)

Kurto; Talbot, Uskok, Da Silva, Scott; Vickery, Deli, Brattan, Oliveira; Duran, Bosnjak

Auckland FC (4-2-3-1)

Woud; Elliot, Hall, Girdwood-Reich, De Vries; Verstraete, Brimmer; Rogerson, Brook, Randall; Cosgrove

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Impact Bench

Macarthur FC: Sawyer (Physical threat), Jakolis (Pace on wing)

Auckland FC: Champness (Dribbling), Howieson (Midfield control)

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Tactical Analysis

Macarthur FC

The Bulls are fearless at the moment. Their ability to outscore opponents (seen in the 5–4 thriller) makes them dangerous. Luke Brattan controls the tempo from deep, allowing the wingers like Bernardo Oliveira to isolate defenders. Against Auckland’s depleted defense, Macarthur will look to deliver early crosses into the box for Duran and Bosnjak to attack.

Auckland FC

Steve Corica’s side relies on structure, but that structure failed against Newcastle. Without Nando Pijnaker, they lack aerial dominance at the back. Auckland will likely try to slow the game down through Louis Verstraete and Jake Brimmer in midfield, looking to frustrate Macarthur before hitting them on the break with the speed of Jesse Randall.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Key Battles

• Duran vs Hall — Macarthur’s in-form striker vs Auckland’s replacement center-back.
• Brattan vs Brimmer — A battle of A-League midfield royalty.
• Randall vs Talbot — Auckland’s top scorer cutting in from the left vs Macarthur’s RB.
• Kurto vs Cosgrove — Golden Glove contender vs Target Man.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Spotlight Players

Macarthur FC — Filip Kurto

While the attack gets the headlines, Kurto has been heroic. His clean sheet against WSW was crucial. He will need to be at his best to stop Cosgrove’s aerial threat.

Auckland FC — Jesse Randall

The electric winger has been a revelation this season (7 goals in all comps). Auckland needs him to rediscover his magic touch after a quiet outing against the Jets.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Prediction

Macarthur FC 2–2 Auckland FC

Macarthur are the form team and scoring for fun, while Auckland are top of the table but showing cracks defensively. The Bulls have never beaten Auckland, but this is their best chance yet. Expect a high-scoring, entertaining draw where both attacks shine, but defensive errors prevent a winner.

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Betting Insights

• Over 2.5 Goals — High Probability (Macarthur involved in high-scoring games).
• Both Teams to Score — YES.
• Double Chance — Macarthur or Draw (Momentum favors the hosts).

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Where to Watch

• Australia: Paramount+
• New Zealand: Sky Sport
• International: YouTube (KeepUp – Select Regions)

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — FAQs

Q: When is the Macarthur vs Auckland FC match?

A: The match kicks off on Monday, 5 January 2026, at 19:00 AEDT.

Q: Who is the favorite?

A: It is a tight call. Macarthur are in better form, but Auckland are league leaders. Bookmakers likely have it close to even.

Q: Is Nando Pijnaker playing?

A: No. Auckland’s key defender is out with an ankle injury.

Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community

Can the Bulls finally beat the Black Knights?

If you enjoyed this preview, follow SportsphereArena.com for post-match ratings and A-League updates.

Stay connected for real-time updates.

Stay informed. Stay analytical. Stay in the game.

👇 Comment your score prediction below 👇

Read more:-

5/1/2026 matches

Nigeria vs Mozambique — Match Preview

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Match Preview

Egypt vs Benin — Match Preview

Macarthur FC vs Auckland FC — Match Preview

Montpellier HSC vs USL Dunkerque — Match Preview

Al Masry vs Smouha — Match Preview

• 6/1/2026 matches

Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar — Match Preview

FIFA Official website