Costa set for Sydney FC debut in multi-million dollar competition

After nearly a month of waiting, Sydney FC fans will get to see superstar Douglas Costa in action for their side. The 31-capped Brazilian is set to start for the Sky Blues against Hong Kong side Eastern SC in the AFC Champions League Two on Thursday.

Ufuk Talay confirms debut

Sydney FC signed former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa to a two-year contract on 26 August, 2024. Sky Blues fans have yet to see their man on the field though. That will be changing on Thursday.
 
Sydney FC manager Ufuk Talay says the Brazilian will start for the club in their AFC Champions League Two match against Eastern SC at home on Thursday.
 
“He’s in a good place at the moment,” Talay said of his Brazilian star winger, before revealing that Costa is not quite match fit.
 
“Is he fully match fit? Probably not, but with what he gives us at the moment, he’ll definitely do a good job. We’ll push him as far as he can go.
 
“We’ll review it as the game goes on, whether he comes off or whether he stays on the park, but I’m very happy so far with what he’s been doing.
 
“He’s a great professional. He’s fantastic in the change-room. He’s lifted a lot of spirits and a lot of expectations at the same time in the group,” Talay added. 

Cake walk expected for Sky Blues

Sydney FC finished fourth in the A-League Men last season, but they should be no match for their opponents Eastern SC on Thursday. The betting sites have the Sky Blues as huge favourites going into the game.
 
PlayUp has Sydney FC as -1.5-goal favourites with $1.25 odds to win. Eastern SC’s chances, meanwhile, are at $9.00. The total goals over/under line is set at 3.5 goals, with the under being most likely at $1.72 odds compared to the over at $2.05.
 
If I were to bet on this match, I think the over @$2.05 is an attractive bet.
 
Sydney FC have been out of the AFC continental competitions since 2022, when they crashed out of the AFC Champions League in disappointing fashion after losing four of their six group stage matches.

The Sky Blues will be itching to set things right against an inferior team at home. 4-0 or 5-0 is a very doable scoreline for Sydney FC, especially with Costa making his debut.