- Preston Lions have the better away record in NPL Victoria 2026 with three wins, one draw and just one defeat from five matches, conceding five goals.
- Dandenong Thunder SC have won one, drawn two and lost two of their five home matches, scoring five goals.
Local derby with momentum implications
Preston Lions are 4th in the NPL Victoria 2026 table with 17 points from 10 games while Dandenong Thunder SC sit 11th with 11 points from the same number of matches.
Both teams have won once and lost once in the last 2 meetings between the two sides, but Preston Lions have not won away at Dandenong Thunder SC.
Both teams to score - Yes is a massive 1.59 favourite for Saturday’s game and while that is true of both clubs in general, this one could well be a game where the defence keeps the score down.
Dandenong Thunder SC are a side that rely on the pace of their wide men and double-six to win the ball back high up the field when they press, they have a high-octane game that creates chaos for the opposition.
Preston Lions are built around a solid defensive block, with creative wingers who can make things happen. Lupce Acevski’s side, who he has been in charge of since April 2017, are a well-structured, possession-based team that are a real contender this season.
Lions have the edge
Zoran Markovski has done a wonderful job in making Preston Lions a side that can control games from the back and with the focal striker who can run at the opposition, they’re not as easy to defend against as you might expect. They will certainly test the composure of Dandenong Thunder SC on Saturday, especially in the buildup.
The visitors are 4th in the table, while the hosts are 11th, but it’s hard to ignore Preston's shorter odds and Thunder's momentum.
We’ll stick with Preston to edge this one, but the hosts are capable of making a real contest of it with their high-press and rapid transitions.
