AUSTRALIA CUP PREVIEW: APIA Leichhardt v City

Melbourne City will return to competitive action for the first time in two months when they kick off their 2025 Australia Cup campaign on Wednesday night.

City face a trip to Sydney first up, where they will match up against APIA Leichhardt FC in the Round of 32.

It will be the first time the reigning A-League Men’s Champions step onto the pitch since their Grand Final triumph in May, and the first ever meeting between City and the historic NPL NSW outfit.

FIRST TEST OF THE NEW CAMPAIGN

Wednesday night’s Cup tie marks the official start of the 2025/26 season for City, with a trip to Leichhardt providing an early challenge to begin pre-season.

After a Round of 32 exit at the same stage in last year’s competition, City will be determined to begin this year’s campaign on the right foot.

The match presents a perfect opportunity to build momentum heading into the new season, while also testing squad depth in a competitive setting during the early stages of pre-season.

EYES ON POTENTIAL DEBUTS

With the fixture coming early in pre-season, fans could get their first look at several fresh faces in City colours.

Could we see newly signed defender Liam Bonetig in action? The Australian youth international arrived at the beginning of pre-season from Scottish giants Celtic FC in the off-season.

Meanwhile, Academy star Beckham Baker could also be a chance to make his senior debut after signing his first professional contract last week.

Baker might not be the only Academy star pushing for first team minutes following City’s impressive VPL1 campaign so far, where the team currently sit second on the table, just one point behind Bentleigh Greens.

The Australia Cup has historically served as a platform for emerging talent to shine, and Wednesday could offer more of the same.

MAGIC OF THE CUP

Cup football never fails to entertaining football, and if there’s one thing the Australia Cup has taught us over the years, it’s to expect the unexpected.

City will be wary of an in-form APIA side who currently sit second in the NPL NSW Men’s competition and are no strangers to thriving as the underdog.

The Sydney-based club famously knocked out both Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers in previous Cup campaigns and will relish the opportunity to add another A-League scalp to their history books.

But it won’t be easy, facing a City side eager to progress to the next stage of the competition.