- Eltham Redbacks have only won 3 of their last 8 NPL Victoria 2 away matches, losing 5.
- Brunswick City have won 1 of their last 2 and drawn the other match at home.
- The last head-to-head between the clubs, three months ago, was close and competitive.
A good night for goal lovers
Brunswick City have won 2 of their last 3 NPL Victoria 2 matches, drawing the other, beating Manningham United Blues 3-1 at home and Port Melbourne Sharks SC 3-1 away.
Their top-scorer and teenage star winger both scored in back-to-back games and now the Blues' are on a 2-game winning run.
Eltham Redbacks have not been as consistent of late, winning just 1 of their last 5 NPL Victoria 2 fixtures, but they have drawn 2 and lost 2, which could be worse.
They are 5th in NPL Victoria 2 with 25 points from 16 games, 5 points and 4 places above 9th-placed Brunswick City, who have 20 points from 16 rounds.
Eltham will travel to Brunswick after a 2-1 loss to Brunswick Juventus FC and a 2-2 home draw with Bulleen Lions, so it is reasonable to expect a response from the visitors.
They have scored 12 goals in 8 away league matches this term and with their pacey wide forwards and central creative midfielder, Eltham have the tools to be dangerous on the road.
Mulcahy’s men might edge it
Brunswick City have the home advantage and good form at present, but the visitors' higher standing in the league, attacking intent and price at 2.32, with the hosts at 2.44 and the draw at 3.68, should make Eltham slight favourites to win.
These sides should produce a good match, with goals at both ends likely, and the hosts are likely to get on the scoresheet.
Brunswick City's average of 1.89 goals per home league game this term, scoring 17 times in 9 fixtures, makes 'Both teams to score - Yes' at 1.34 look a touch overpriced for this one.
The Blues' are a possession-based side that likes to build up their play, rotate formations to develop young talent and dominate the midfield in order to control games.
Eltham, on the other hand, are more of a direct side that plays at a high tempo, presses aggressively and are a handful in transition, particularly down the wings.
It should be an entertaining and competitive match between two teams in need of points, with Eltham's Alan Mulcahy making the Redbacks one of the NPL Victoria 2's most dangerous teams.
Brunswick City manager has been sent to the stands a couple of times recently and won't be able to make changes from the touchline if that happens on Friday night.
