- Eltham are the form side in U23 football with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from their last 5 (5-2 win at Langwarrin, 2-1 win over Western United U23), but they are most likely to win in a competitive clash.
- North Geelong have been streaky in VPL1 U23 with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 5 (1-0 win over Port Melbourne Sharks U23, 5-0 loss at Melbourne Knights U23), but they have a game-changer in Sonny Brimmer.
- North Geelong won the most recent match-up 5-1 on 28 March 2026.
Tactical contrast should make this a proper chess match
Eltham Redbacks U23 are around fifth in the Victoria Premier League 1 U23 2026 table with about 35 points from 19 matches, seven or eight points ahead of North Geelong Warriors U23 who are around eighth with about 27 points from 18.
Eltham has a good structure in place, but their match-day edge comes from organised set-piece work and smart substitution patterns.
North Geelong boss Stuart Begg has helped steady the rebuild, and his side usually plays with discipline, directness and a clear transition-first plan.
North Geelong have a goal scorer in Brimmer
That contrast of styles should ensure the game is a chess match with Eltham trying to pin North Geelong back and the Warriors hunting counter-attacks.
Sonny Brimmer, fresh off a 16-goal golden-boot season in VPL2, is the headline finisher for the visitors and North Geelong's sharpest weapon to create a goal.
Marcus Day is Eltham's main man in the frontline, but club reports regularly flag him as the central striker who can tilt the game if he's fit and firing.
Mehmet Uysal is the kind of bench spark the Redbacks love to have around because his set-piece prowess and late-game influence make him a game-changer.
Eltham have the U23 edge on paper
North Geelong look to be a good bet in the double-chance market here, but the odds-on favourite Eltham Redbacks U23 are coming through their best form of the season and deserve support in the outright market.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.22 is a very short price and Both Teams To Score: Yes at 1.27 is only marginally better, while BTTS No at 3.3 is worth a look because this could go one way.
Our primary recommendation is for Eltham to win and 2-1 at home is the most natural fit to the form and odds here, but the weather could be cool and potentially damp for this clash and there will be plenty of travel in the legs of the away side.
Finn Diamond gives Eltham the dead-ball edge from centre-back while his aerial threat from set pieces could spell the difference in a tight U23 clash.
