In-form Brisbane Roar backed to overcome Sydney FC

Brisbane Roar face Sydney FC in the second round of the Australia Cup on Sunday afternoon. The Roar have scored 11 goals without conceding across their past three matches, underlining their impressive form at both ends of the pitch.

Brisbane endured a disappointing league campaign last season, finishing second from bottom with six wins, eight draws and 12 defeats and missing out on the playoffs. The squad has shown significant improvement during the off-season, recording emphatic friendly wins over Caboolture Sports and Ipswich City before beating Sydney Olympic 3-0 in the first round of the Australia Cup.

Local forward J. Waddingham has been in excellent scoring form, netting three goals in two appearances during the team's past three matches. He also registered six shots against Sydney Olympic last time out, posing a constant threat. Against a Sydney FC side that has conceded in successive games, Brisbane will be confident of securing a convincing victory.

Sydney FC performed far better than Brisbane in the league last season, finishing fifth in the regular season before reaching the playoff final, where they suffered a disappointing defeat to Auckland FC. Their previous Australia Cup campaign ended in the quarter-finals after they lost to Auckland FC in a penalty shootout.

Sydney began this year's competition with a 5-1 first-round victory over Bayswater City before drawing 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur in regulation time in a friendly. However, their defence has looked vulnerable regardless of the opposition's strength. Facing a Brisbane side whose attacking output has improved, Sydney risk an early exit.