- Valentine Phoenix have won two of their last three meetings with Cooks Hill United (D1).
- Valentine Phoenix have suffered one defeat in their only home game this season.
- Cooks Hill United have lost four of their last five matches (D1, L4).
Phoenix looking to soar above Cooks Hill
Valentine Phoenix have claimed just one win in their last five in all competitions but their recent head-to-head record against Cooks Hill United should give them confidence of gaining all three points this Friday.
Phoenix have won two of the last three meetings between the sides in New South Wales and claimed a 1-0 success in the head-to-head at home in the Northern NSW Premier League 2025 last season.
Friday’s hosts have struggled to find their footing this term and are without a point from their first two matches, leaving them 11th in the Northern New South Wales 2026 standings.
A 1-2 defeat at home to Belmont Swansea United FC and a 2-0 loss away to Broadmeadow Magic have left them on a four-match losing streak and a further defeat could put them in the relegation spots.
Visitors in dire form
Cooks Hill United aren’t faring much better, with a 2-2 draw at home to Maitland and a 2-1 away defeat at Belmont Swansea United FC leaving them 9th after two games.
United are the favourites here at 1.91 with Phoenix as underdogs at 3.08, but their form over the last few weeks is concerning.
They have failed to win in five matches and have lost four of those matches, and they are yet to register a victory away from home in the Northern New South Wales 2026 season, losing their only away trip and conceding an average of 2.00 goals per match.
Phoenix can edge the victory
The recent record of this fixture suggests that Phoenix should have the edge but both teams have been very poor in recent weeks so it is hard to split them.
The styles of these teams on the pitch are very different, with Cooks Hill United preferring to sit back and attack quickly on the break in a 4-2-3-1 formation while Phoenix are much more possession-based and prefer to build from the back.
This contrast could lead to an open match and the 1.28 on Over 2.5 goals certainly appeals, but as the favourites are the visitors our fancy is for them to edge the win at the final whistle.
