- Adelaide Olympic are the clear form favourites heading into Friday's game.
- Eastern United have been inconsistent at home recently (W1, D1, L1).
- Olympic have scored 12 goals across their last six away league games.
In-form Olympic can overcome inconsistent United
Adelaide Olympic are the top favourites for Friday's South Australia State League 1 contest against Eastern United and they deserve their tag as clear favourites, judging by recent form and the head-to-head.
The visitors have won four of their last five league matches, including their previous clash with United, and they are currently flying high in second place in the South Australia State League 1 with 25 points from 13 matches, 14 more than 10th-placed United have managed from the same number of games.
United are in mid-table in 10th place and have just 11 points in the bank from 13 games, so they will need to improve on their inconsistent home form to have a chance of causing an upset against the in-form Olympic, who are 1.82 to take all three points.
Back visitors for the away win
Olympic are the superior side on paper and their recent form suggests they can do enough to overcome Eastern United, who have two wins, one draw and three defeats at home in the league this term, scoring eight goals in six outings.
The visitors have three wins and three losses from their six away league matches, but their last two away games have split evenly (W1, L1).
Olympic have hit 12 goals in their six league away days, while United have scored eight in their half dozen home fixtures, which suggests that backing an away win with over 2.5 goals at 1.4 is the best way to get behind the favourites.
Olympic can unlock United’s defence with superior possession
A stylistic clash in the middle of the park could make for an interesting tactical battle on Friday as United like to play a flexible system where they use wide play, transition quickly with vertical passes and play direct when needed.
Olympic are more structured in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 where they dominate the ball and control games with structured build-up play and phases of pressing to ensure they dominate the central areas.
Their recent results have been excellent, including a 4-0 home win over Fulham United and a 2-1 away success at Adelaide Blue Eagles, while they beat United 2-1 in the reverse fixture just two months ago in this competition.
