- Mick McCone's Caloundra team are direct and high-tempo.
- Moreton City II are more fluid and possession-based.
- Betting odds suggest a competitive contest with Moreton City II as slight favourites.
Caloundra’s high-tempo attack to meet in-form Moreton City
Caloundra sit 5th in the Queensland Premier League 2 (QPL2) table with 19 points from 11 games and a win here would put them right in the shake-up for the top-four and promotion. Caloundra's recent form has been a mixed bag of two wins, two draws and a clean sheet last time out, a 3-5 loss at home, and a 1-4 defeat.
Moreton City Excelsior FC 2 are undefeated in their last five QPL2 fixtures (Won 2, Drawn 3), including a 8-0 home win over Brisbane Knights, and currently sit 3rd in the table with 22 points from 12 matches. They were 3-1 winners when these sides met earlier in the season, a result which sees them hold the head-to-head advantage in QPL2 2026.
Both sides are expected to be at full strength with no known injury concerns or suspensions for either Caloundra or Moreton City ahead of this contest. Caloundra's goals have come from all over the pitch and with some rather unspectacular players, however, they're always dangerous when it comes to set pieces and late goals. Moreton City's goals are more evenly distributed with their front three and attacking midfielders all getting regular goals, as witnessed in their 8-0 win over the Knights.
Moreton City are a dangerous and free scoring outfit
Andre Bennett has instilled a similar attacking mindset in this second team, as seen with the senior squad, where they are free-scoring and ruthless. Caloundra and Mick McCone's high-tempo, direct style has seen them achieve the unthinkable in the past, three promotions in a row, and the spine of that squad is still in place as they look to challenge for the top-half of the QPL2.
A win for Caloundra would see them leap into the playoff shake-up, whilst for Moreton City II, a victory would cement them in the top-four and their promotion ambitions. We feel that Moreton City II's goal difference is better than Caloundra's, they hold the H2H advantage after winning this fixture earlier in the campaign, they also have a more talented squad and we think they'll edge this one out, although, it could be a high-scoring draw.
Moreton City II to win at 2.15, Caloundra to win at 2.51 and the Draw at 4.0 will not see much value in this fixture, given the odds suggest an open game of football. Both teams to score - Yes is available at 1.22, which is heavily favoured here and we feel that the bet still holds value in this clash. The Sunshine Coast weather should provide perfect, cool winter conditions for an open contest between two high-tempo sides.