- Floreat Athena are averaging 2.6 goals-per-game, scoring 13 in their last five league games.
- Gwelup have been involved in high-scoring matches recently, with both teams frequently finding the net.
- Floreat have won five of their last seven meetings with Gwelup in all competitions, including a 2-1 victory earlier this season.
Floreat Athena have momentum and head-to-head advantage
Floreat Athena are top of the Western Australia State League 1 and very much in control of the promotion race, while Gwelup are mid-table but still within striking distance of the top-four. A Floreat win would put them a step closer to achieving their goal of promotion, whereas Gwelup need to get something from this game to maintain their top-four ambitions.
Floreat have been in exceptional form throughout April and May, taking 10 points from their last five league matches and scoring 13 goals. Alun Vernals has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the side since relegation, installing a pro-active, direct attacking game plan that has seen his side score plenty of goals and create lots of chances through set pieces, second balls and vertical passes. Floreat’s pressing game is also a big part of their attacking play, with their ability to close down opposition players and force errors aiding their promotion ambitions.
Gwelup Croatia have been all over the place of late, scoring plenty of goals but struggling to keep them out at the other end, but they remain a potent and exciting side in the WA State League 1. Toby Wright has emphasized rapid wide play, quick transitions and a mobile front line, but they’re still vulnerable to lapses in concentration and lack the regular pressing intensity that Floreat display.
Free-flowing affair with Floreat on the verge
Both teams are in fine scoring form and, given the high-scoring nature of this fixture in recent years, I feel the 1.31 for over 2.5 goals is the best option on the board for Friday’s game.
Floreat have been in supreme form recently, winning 4-0 away at Kingsley Westside and seeing off Subiaco in a dramatic 5-4 shootout, but their latest victim, Gwelup Croatia, should provide a stiff test for Alun Vernals’ side.
Gwelup have also been involved in plenty of high-scoring encounters recently, including a wild 4-4 draw with Cockburn. Given Floreat’s recent form, the head-to-head record and the psychological advantage from their meeting earlier this term, I feel they’re worth backing at 1.62 to stay at the top of the table.
Tom Wassholm and Harry Lewis combination key to Floreat success
Tom Wassholm is the main man in Floreat’s side, supplying assists and scoring plenty of goals from set pieces, wide areas and through his attacking play.
Harry Lewis has been Vernals’ super sub this term, providing a spark off the bench and regularly scoring goals from Wassholm’s corners.
Robert Ferrante and Baptiste Poullain are Gwelup’s engines in the middle of the park and the duo regularly combine for assists and goals in their counter-attacking surges.
Jeremie Mba is Gwelup’s main goal threat, but Jordan Langley and Mohamed Al-Zaidy have also scored some vital goals for Floreat in recent weeks, including late winners and headed finishes in recent victories, including over Subiaco.
