- Oakleigh Cannons have the best away record in the division (W3, D3, L0, 2.33 goals per game), whilst Preston have a solid home record (W3, D1, L2, 1.17 goals scored, 1.00 goals conceded).
- Preston Lions haven’t beaten Oakleigh Cannons at home in the last four matchups (2 wins each).
- Preston and Oakleigh are in good form (W3, D1, L1 for Preston, W4, D1 for Oakleigh).
Sides with similar identities and contrasting qualities
There’s not much to separate these sides in the NPL Victoria 2026 standings with Oakleigh currently best of the bunch after 13 games (27 points) and fourth-placed Preston Lions just four points behind (23 points from 13 games).
However, the form of both sides going into this Sunday’s meeting suggests that the visitors are in better form and have the quality to at least edge this matchup, with the hosts relying on their solid defensive structure to keep things tight.
Preston Lions have a very structured identity instilled by coach Lupce Acevski since April 2017, one based around a compact 4-2-3-1, disciplined, counter-attacking football. Their counter-pressing and defensive shape are solid, but it is their ability to play on the break and get in behind sides that makes them dangerous.
Oakleigh are an attack-minded side which press high and play numbers forward, and whilst they are very dangerous when they get going, they are susceptible to sides who can sit in and counter.
Oakleigh to sneak it in another thriller
Both of these sides have the potential to be a threat in Victoria’s top division with the quality they have within their ranks, and Sunday’s matchup should be just as intriguing as the reverse, which Preston won 3-1 in a shock result three months ago.
The bookies have Oakleigh as favourites at 1.92, with Preston available at 3.37, but we feel the odds on the total goals market is the better way to go.
Oakleigh are the superior side in terms of form, remain unbeaten away from home in the NPL (W3, D3), and have the offensive quality to hurt teams. Preston have the solid structure and the pace to counter, so we’re going over 2.5 goals at 1.65. Oakleigh’s pressing intensity and desire to push numbers forward should test Preston’s compact shape, while Preston’s speed and counter-attacking threat should be able to get through the visiting team’s defensive line when they push forward.
Given Oakleigh’s superior form and unbeaten away record, we just have to edge with Chris Taylor’s side for this one, although Preston’s solid structure should keep it tight.
