The Hume Derby is next on the agenda for Canberra United with old foes and nemesis Sydney FC providing the all-too familiar opposition in Round 19 of the Ninja A-League at McKellar Park.
The visits of the Sky Blues always stirs the soul, a Canberra versus Sydney battle pitching the city slickers against the national capital, a contest that brings passion, colour, and vibrancy to every fixture that the duo compete in.
Supporters sing louder, and prouder, when Sydney come to town and, often it has helped Canberra secure the three points. It happened in 2023 and 2024 as Canberra won 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.
In thirteen home matches against Sydney, Canberra has won seven, drawn three and lost only three, the last reverse coming back in mid-January 2020 with a 4-0 reverse, the following trio of fixtures resulting in Canberra coming away with seven points from a possible nine.
It took United four matches to get a win over Sydney, a 1-0 success in November 2011, the best run the club enjoying against the Sky Blues a five-game winning streak between January 2014 and November 2015.
Successive defeats to Melbourne-based clubs Victory and Western United stymied a decent six-match unbeaten run from Antoni Jagarinec’s team. The only setback prior to that pair of losses was the 54-minute loss to Sydney FC when the weather put paid to the match concluding in ninety minutes.
The three goals netted in defeat last week was the first time since Round 1 that Canberra had scored three times in a match, indeed there have only been half-a-dozen occasions when the club has bene on the score-sheet more than once in the Ninja A-League this campaign.
It’s bene a similar tale for Sydney, they’ve managed multiple goals in just four matches in 2025, the 98th minute match-winner from Princess Ibini against Wellington Phoenix last time out their most recent example.
Canberra will enter as favourites, Sydney FC have yet to win away from home this season having garnered just one point from a possible twenty-four, one draw in eight attempts, whilst Canberra have won four and drawn four of their ten matches played at McKellar Park.
However, as we have seen throughout this topsy-turvy season, league placings appear to matter very little from week-to-week. And, on derby day, even less so.
