<p>It’s The Matildas’ final game of the year! And they are back in Adelaide, looking to make it two wins from two starts over New Zealand in the November-December FIFA window.</p> <p>These games against New Zealand hold extra significance. One, it will mark the long-awaited return of Sam Kerr to a football pitch in Australia, after her long injury layoff. And, two, it’s the final fixtures that Australia will play before hosting the Asian Cup next year in February.</p> <p>Australia flexed their muscles in Gosford, putting five goals past the Kiwis. In their final clash before the squad for the Asian Cup gets picked ahead of the February tournament, what does Joe Montemurro want to see from the final, but decisive 90 minutes of the year?&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest analysis, team news, odds, and betting tips, read our full Matildas vs New Zealand preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Matildas vs New Zealand Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After an October window that saw the Tillies beat Wales 2–1 but lose 3–0 to England in the UK, the emphatic 5–0 result on Friday night would have buoyed Joe Montemurro immensely.</p> <p>Now, with just one match left in 2025 and no games scheduled until the start of the home Asian Cup tournament in 2026, Tuesday night at Coopers Stadium presents one final chance to experiment and bed down what the best team looks like.</p> <p>It looked as though that was his intention when he named his starting XI, full of regular starters and set up in a formation that resembled the best version of the Matildas. They delivered accordingly, with familiar and fan-favourite names finding themselves on the scoresheet.</p> <p>Concerningly, superstar Sam Kerr didn’t make it onto the pitch in what had been advertised as her grand return to Australia. Will she get a start here in Adelaide or some late minutes as a substitute?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Matildas Squad&nbsp;</h2> <p>Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Winonah Heatley, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Kahli Johnson, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Chloe Lincoln (GK), Holly McNamara, Teagan Micah (GK), Courtney Nevin, Hayley Raso, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Remy Seimsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameeka Yallop&nbsp;</p> <p>Charli Grant was initially named in the squad but was withdrawn due to a knee injury, replaced by Charlize Rule.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Matildas vs New Zealand Betting Tips</h2> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction (H2H)</h3> <p>That’s 15 games and counting for the Kiwis now in trying to extract a result over their West Island neighbours.<br /> It’s 12 wins and three draws to Australia, with Friday night marking the biggest victory margin they have ever recorded over their Trans-Tasman rivals.</p> <p>You’d expect New Zealand to tighten up defensively for the second match, so it may not be as lopsided as Friday night. But we’re backing the home side again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/ladies/friendlies-ladies-international/australia-w-v-new-zealand-w--9903012">Australia</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal</h3> <p>Everyone got a lick of the ice-cream last Friday night, with five different Tillies scoring in the 5–0 rout — which makes picking the first goalscorer in this one that much harder.</p> <p>We’ve settled on the player who gave us the worldie last Friday: Kyra Cooney-Cross.</p> <p>Another wondrous strike like that and she might be demanding more minutes further up the field at Arsenal every week. She’s our pick to open the scoring on Tuesday night.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/ladies/friendlies-ladies-international/australia-w-v-new-zealand-w--9903012">Kyra Cooney-Cross</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Correct Score</h3> <p>From a spectacle point of view, we’re hoping that the Kiwi’s tighten up their defence so they don’t concede another handful here. But, the gulf in class is still significant, especially if Australia rolls out a lineup that is close to its full strength side.&nbsp;</p> <p>There should be more goals in front of a packed house at Coopers.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/ladies/friendlies-ladies-international/australia-w-v-new-zealand-w--9903012">Australia 3 - New Zealand 0&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How to Watch The Matildas vs New Zealand</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fans in Australia can watch the game live and exclusively on Channel 10 &amp; Paramount+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Matildas vs New Zealand Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 8:30 pm AEDT.</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Coopers Stadium, Adelaide.</p>