- Northcote City lead NPL Victoria 2 with 36 points from 17 matches. North Sunshine Eagles are 13th with 14 points from the same number of games.
- Northcote City have the better recent record in the head-to-head, winning two of the last three meetings and losing one. Northcote City haven't won away at North Sunshine, however.
A tale of two cities - and two very different styles
This weekend's head-to-head matchup in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria 2 between Northcote City and North Sunshine Eagles is between two sides at opposite ends of the table with contrasting styles, tactics and ambitions.
Northcote City, with their more aggressive, front-foot football are clear favourites with the bookies, but they will still have to be on form to take the three points. Northcote boss likes to get his teams pressing high up the field and in recent weeks, he has favoured his 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems, deploying his three-pronged attack with pace and trickery in behind, and his midfield runners to stretch the opposition and create chances.
North Sunshine Eagles boss appears to be the opposite of his counterpart, preferring to stay compact and let his team play a more defensive, pragmatic game with the aim of frustrating the opposition, while trying to nick a goal on the break or from a set-piece. Eagles have the set-piece specialists to make it work, but are now in danger of being dragged into the relegation scrap.
Northcote have the edge
Despite the contrast in approaches and the fact that neither side is consistently prolific, this game should be an intriguing clash of styles between an energetic attacking side against a deep, compact block.
Northcote City are the form team in this division with three wins and just one defeat from their last five matches (D1) and are bidding to push up to the next level in the NPL. They recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over lowly Langwarrin SC in their last home fixture, but have won just once and lost once in their previous two away games, although they did take the win in a tight 2-1 victory at Western United FC Youth a fortnight ago.
North Sunshine Eagles are in much worse shape with just one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five, a run that saw them lose 1-2 at home to mid-table Melbourne Srbija five days ago.
Back the visitors
Given that Northcote City are the higher-ranked side in NPL Victoria 2, the more in-form of the two outfits, have the best away record in the division and have the most attacking talent at their disposal, backing the visitors at 1.75 seems the right call in this match, while the hosts' odds of 3.58 are a bit too generous.
We're also expecting an exciting encounter, so the 1.46 for Over 2.5 goals looks generous, given that the game is between one of the league's highest scoring sides and one of its lowest.
