- Goulburn Valley Suns have won several of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Altona City have lost three of their last five VPL 2 matches, failing to score on three occasions.
- The Suns' most recent league wins were against Box Hill and away to Bayside.
Top versus bottom clash awaits in Melbourne
Goulburn Valley Suns travel to Altona City's HC Kim Reserve on Saturday evening in a Victoria Premier League 2 fixture where the visitors are clear favorites at 1.53, with the hosts available at 4.76.
The odds suggest this contest is a mismatch, but a closer look reveals this clash to be a classic top versus bottom fixture with plenty of tactical intrigue. Altona City coach Chris has opted for a young squad this season, preferring to promote youth from the ranks of his U23s rather than bring in big names.
Suns boss Craig Carley has a different mindset, preferring to set his players up to attack, play out wide and press high up the pitch with his number 10 creating from a creative position. This philosophy has made the Suns a dangerous team in transition and on the break, which is what makes this clash an intriguing contest.
While Altona will set up with a compact, defensive shape and prefer to build-up play more slowly, they will have to be prepared to absorb pressure and frustrate in the hope they can get their hands on the ball and play on the counter. It is the same for Goulburn Valley Suns, who will press the play and look to win the ball in dangerous areas in order to play quickly and vertically.
Suns’ UK signing Edwards has been a hit
The Suns, with the firepower of forward Danny Edwards up front, have been in fine form lately. Edwards has slotted in perfectly to VPL 2. Brandon Giaccherini provides some of the creative spark in behind and also offers plenty of energy in the wide areas. Mangara and A. Dulleh also provide further attacking options for the Suns, who have the added advantage of youthful energy. While Altona City have the likes of Toby Marinaccio, who recently earned promotion from the U23s with a Dockerty Cup goal, and fellow youngster Oscar Devetak forcing his way into the senior set-up as an impact sub, the hosts just don't have the same attacking drive as the Suns. Altona have conceded more than they have scored in the league this term and it is up to their defensive unit and keeper to keep the Suns at bay. The Suns are looking for the win to keep up their promotion push while the home side desperately need the points to escape the relegation zone.