- Bentleigh Greens U23 are the form team in the NPL Victoria U23 division in 2026. Dandenong Thunder U23 come into this game after a run of June defeats. Bentleigh Greens U23 hold the only official U23 head-to-head edge in 2026 after they beat Dandenong Thunder U23 5-1 on 28 March.
Back the Greens to boss the ball and bend Dandenong to their will
Bentleigh Greens U23 are a solid top-half side in the NPL Victoria U23 2026 season, currently sitting sixth with 31 points from 19 matches, while Dandenong Thunder U23 are a mixed-to-poor side in 13th spot with 13 points from 18.
The form of the two clubs over the last month or so confirms Bentleigh as the better outfit and the market reflects that with Greens at 1.62, Thunder at 3.87 and the draw at 4.45.
Bentleigh should have the edge here and it is likely to be a clear away win than a scrap, although we believe there is some value in over 2.5 goals at 1.17 if both teams to score lands at 1.24 if Dandenong can nick a transition chance.
Bentleigh will try to boss the game.
Bentleigh are a midfield-heavy team who like to have the ball and get the best out of their 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 systems when the pressing is working. But the Greens are not a bunch of ball-jugglers and can put together slick passing moves to create and convert when the game gets moving.
Deng Kor is a strong young number nine, Brady Lark is a left-footed player who gets involved in goals and Samuel Shedden is a busy box-to-box midfielder who is one of the most consistent U23 scorers around.
Bentleigh's attack has been potent enough to score multiple goals in games against fellow top-half clubs like Hume City (3-1) and South Melbourne U23 (2-0) in June.
Dandenong won't be as wide open as those two, but they sit deep and compact and look to counterattack in numbers, so this game has the feel of a Bentleigh-control v Dandenong-counterpunch game.
Thunder struggling at both ends
Dandenong Thunder U23 haven't looked like a top-half club in the second flight of Australian footy for more than a few weeks this season, and the last few results have shown them to be toothless in attack and vulnerable at the back.
The Thunder U23s won't have the support of senior players here because their senior environment has been turbulent since Adam Piddick left at the end of May and Ilir Qaniu stepped in as interim boss.
The chaos in the first team has spread through to the youth ranks where Thunder haven't managed to pull away from the dropzone.
Bentleigh have a better team and system in place
Bentleigh's youth section appears to be in better health with George Katsakis' club structure and long-time NPL coaching experience creating a more organised and competitive side.
The hosts will try to play on the counter to the Greens' style and can lean on any remaining senior players like Wade Dekker or Hassan Jalloh to nick a chance if they catch their opponents out in transition.
But Bentleigh should have enough quality to dominate the play and we feel 2-0 away or 2-1 away are the most likely correct scores.
