- At least three goals have been scored in eight of the last nine H2H meetings.
- Eastern Suburbs U23 have the better goal difference than Brisbane Olympic U23.
Transition is the theme of this top-half six-pointer
Eastern Suburbs U23 and Brisbane Olympic U23 are locked on 20 points in fifth and sixth place respectively in the NPL Queensland U23 table ahead of their clash on Saturday.
Both teams are in mixed form, but Olympic have been pushing the envelope more, picking up important wins before being on the end of some severe defeats.
Suburbs' formbook reads: L1-4 W3-1 D2-2 L1-2 W3-1, while Olympic have been living on the edge lately: L3-5 W2-1 L0-3 L2-3 W2-1.
So, while this match-up looks close on the table, it's really about momentum and the development of the young players. But with both sides on 20 points, the winner will be a few steps closer to the top-six.
Suburbs have a much better goal difference (+8) than Olympic (-1), so it would seem the hosts have been the more efficient side to date.
Olympic have to be the first to land a punch
Brisbane Olympic U23 will want to control the middle third and create opportunities with vertical releases, while Eastern Suburbs U23 are an open unit, they play with flexible shapes and a lower-to-medium press that can be exploited by a fast counter-attack.
This should make for a lively affair with the hosts the more likely to nick it at 1.6, although I wouldn't be surprised if the away side got a draw or an upset, given the odds of 4.16 and 4.25 respectively on those outcomes.
Brisbane Olympic have the structure to play a higher press and create turnovers in advanced areas where their front line have the tools to punish. The 3-5 defeat to Peninsula Power U23 shows they still carry real attacking threat even when the back line wobbles.
Eastern Suburbs have been scoring goals for fun over the last few weeks and if they get the first bite they will make this game messy for Olympic.
An open match-up is highly likely
The BTTS and over 2.5 goals combo appeals here at 1.3 and 1.24 respectively, because this fixture has been a goal-fest in the recent head-to-head meetings, with 16-20 goals scored in the past nine.
Olympic have had some crazy games lately and this should be another. Brisbane weather should be mild and cool, with a few showers to make the surface slick, which should add to the transition style of this fixture.
Eastern Suburbs are a defensive liability, but Olympic have lost a few games despite their attacking threat, so I think the BTTS and over 2.5 combo is the right approach to take here.
