- Bulleen Lions U23 have won four of their last five U23 VPL1 matches, including consecutive home clean sheets against Port Melbourne Sharks U23 and Melbourne Srbija U23.
- Eltham Redbacks U23 are on a three-match winning streak, scoring nine goals in the process.
- Bulleen Lions U23 edged Eltham Redbacks U23 3-2 in the only previous meeting of these sides in the 2026 U23 Victoria Premier League 1.
Rugged battle anticipated in Redbacks vs Lions clash
Eltham Redbacks U23 are hot on the heels of Bulleen Lions U23 in the U23 Victoria Premier League 1 table after recording three wins in a row in the competition.
The two sides are very evenly matched and the bookmakers are hard to split with Eltham rated at 2.38 and Bulleen at 2.26, although they do offer 4.0 on a draw.
Both sides are likely to have something to prove in this Friday's match with Eltham on 28 points from 15 games and Bulleen on 30 from 14. The Lions are the runaway leaders, however, with 38 goals scored and only 14 conceded.
Eltham have scored 31 goals and conceded 29 in their 15 games and that tells a story about how they go about their business.
Redbacks are a team with transition in their DNA
Alan Mulcahy's side are an attack-minded team that will press and play at high tempo, but they are not as rigid in formation as most sides, sometimes playing with two wide players and sometimes with no wingers.
Assistant coach Alan Kearney has worked wonders with the squad and his players are always in the game.
Redbacks can change the tempo in an instant, but Nicky Edwards is their focal point when in transition and the double-digit scorer will always pose a threat.
Tom Barforosh creates and finishes chances, while Retsu Sugusawa can change the game when brought on in the second half.
This will be a much tougher game than Bulleen are used to playing as they are a much more structured and pragmatic club that play in an organized system.
Lions are disciplined, but do not lack punch
They sit at the top of the table with a strong defensive record and a good goal difference because they don't concede too many and they finish off opponents.
The Lions' academy is well established under this system.
However, attacking trio Rocco Bresciano, Trai Blackmore and Joshua Kitch have all scored recently and should have enough firepower to get Bulleen through this tough fixture.
Bulleen's defensive spine, with goalkeeper and centre-backs, will be important in this game as they have kept consecutive home clean sheets.
Their only slip-up in the last five was a 2-0 away defeat to a rejuvenated Northcote City side, but they have a formidable home record that Bulleen can rely on.
Eltham's only real blip in the same period was a 5-1 defeat to Manningham United on the road, so we will probably get a narrow win for one or the other in this tight encounter.
Goal markets offer little value
With 1.27 on offer in the over 2.5 goals market, we advise you to steer clear of the goal markets in this fixture.
Both teams are in good form and play quite differently, so this could be a goal-fest or a scrappy contest.
Betting on goals would be a high percentage play in this clash and picking a winner also offers near-even odds.
Both sides have something to gain in this match with top-table places and player development opportunities at stake so expect intensity and a game of purpose.
Eltham are the team more likely to take risks and are coming off a big win, so we will chance the Redbacks to edge it in a high-octane clash with both teams on the scoresheet.
Cool conditions and a little bit of rain would probably help Bulleen, but there is enough value in the draw to take in this three-way bet.
