- South Melbourne have lost just two of their last ten matches across all competitions (W7, D1, L2).
- Oakleigh Cannons are averaging 2.40 goals per game scored and 1.40 goals conceded at home in NPL Victoria.
Cagey clash anticipated
South Melbourne will go into this encounter with the form advantage and South Melbourne FC will have the recent bragging rights, so we could be in for a cagey clash when these long-time NPL Victoria rivals renew their rivalry in the playoffs on Friday.
The Cannons have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches, beating Green Gully 4-1 at home and Dandenong Thunder 0-5 away prior to a 2-3 home defeat to Dandenong City. The consistency is not quite there yet for Chris Taylor's charges, who are not really a free-scoring side, but have shown enough to merit their 2.13 odds against the visitors.
South Melbourne have been in better form of late, winning three and losing two of their last five, taking Preston Lions to task in a 1-2 away success, then falling to a 0-1 reverse against the in-form Caroline Springs George Cross before returning to form with a 2-1 home victory over Heidelberg United.
South Melbourne can be dangerous away from home
Sinisa Cohadzic's men, who have been under his stewardship since 5th May 2025, are adaptable and opportunistic while his team always has the capacity to make a fast start or crank up the pressure when the game is going against them. They have lost only two of their last ten across all competitions and have won three of their last four away matches, which tells you the team travel well.
In contrast, Oakleigh are a more structured team that sets up with a strong spine and plenty of cover in central areas. The set up is simple, but it works and the Cannons will try to control the pace and rhythm of this encounter by keeping things tidy at their end and looking to pounce on turnover ball.
However, South Melbourne have conceded only three goals in four away fixtures across all competitions and travel to the Cannons' den with the swagger of a side that can score goals from all areas of the pitch. Hellas will have their favourite player, Arran Cocks, in form, having scored two of his team's last five goals and he arrives at this fixture with the hot hand.
Oakleigh just have the edge
These two clubs have been close to level on the field for the past decade, but Oakleigh have the upper hand of late. The home side also has a mixed recent form and at 2.13 are marginally overpriced, although we will take the odds as they are because both clubs can land a blow in this game. Over 2.5 goals at 1.67 fits the sharper attacking statistics, while both teams to score at 1.54 also looks a good shout in a contest where there could be plenty of bite.
