Short-priced favourites are the order of the week in Round 9 of the AFL.
Six of the nine games feature a favourite paying less than $1.44 and that could make it a tricky week for punters.
We have done the form to find our best tips across the nine games, which starts with the Crows vs. Bulldogs on Friday night.
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
Friday 18/05/18
7:50pm Adelaide Crows vs. Western Bulldogs @ Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Crows had their chance against Port Adelaide last week but couldn’t muster enough in the second half.
A more complete performance will be needed to beat the Bulldogs this week, which are coming off a win over the Lions, but bookmakers are expecting an easy win for the home side.
With a line set at 35.5, bookmakers are predicting a big win for the Crows and it’s hard to disagree with those thoughts.
We think the value is with the 1-39 option as this game could remain close for most throughout.
Betting tip: Adelaide 1-39 @ $2.25 (BET NOW)
Adelaide by 22
Saturday 19/05/18
1:45pm North Melbourne Kangaroos vs. GWS Giants @ Blundstone Arena
This should be one of the best betting games of the week and the bookmakers can barely split them in the market.
Current $1.82 favourites, North Melbourne, is coming off a 82-72 loss against Richmond and there was plenty to like about the performance.
The same can’t be said for GWS, which were disappointing losers to the the Eagles last week and that was a worrying sign for the club.
Winning away from home isn’t going to help their chances this week and punters are getting good value with the Kangaroos here.
Betting tip: North Melbourne to win @ $1.68 (BET NOW)
North Melbourne by 20
3:15pm Gold Coast Suns vs. Port Adelaide Power @ Adelaide Arena
Port Adelaide are big favourites against the Suns and we’re predicting a big result.
The Power were gallant winners over rivals Adelaide last week and they looked like a team destined to make the playoffs.
It wasn’t such a great week for the Suns, however, which lost heavily to the Demons. The 146-77 loss was embarrassing and it’s a performance of a side with very little going for them.
Avoiding consecutive big losses will be the goal here but a win seems unlikely for the Suns.
Betting tip: Port Adelaide –39.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Port Adelaide by 66
4:35pm Essendon Bombers vs. Geelong Cats @ MCG
Scoring only 66 points wasn’t expected by the Cats last week but that was enough to get by the Magpies on Sunday afternoon.
Geelong showed their worth defensively and Essendon haven’t exactly been scoring powerhouses in recent weeks.
The Bombers are coming off a 91-78 loss to Carlton and despite starting the season well, it looks as though 2018 could be a long season for Essendon fans.
Geelong are the more professional and experienced unit and they should come away with the prize.
Betting tip: Geelong –28.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Geelong by 35
7:25pm St Kilda Saints vs. Collingwood Magpies @ Etihad Stadium
St Kilda are in serious trouble of falling off the AFL radar and it’s a must-win game against the Magpies this Saturday.
After another loss last week to Fremantle, the Saints are struggling with one win and six losses on the season.
Sitting slightly better with four wins and four losses, the Magpies will look to push for a top eight spot with a win and regain some momentum.
The Saints won the last meeting between these two sides but the result should be a lot different this time around.
Betting tip: Collingwood 1-39 @ $2 (BET NOW)
Collingwood by 30
7:25pm Sydney Swans vs. Fremantle Dockers @ SCG
The Swans pulled off a gritty win over Hawthorn last Friday night and that performance is going to give them all the confidence they need.
It was also a good win for Fremantle, which secured an 89-59 win over St Kilda at home.
It’s tough to weigh up the form against the Saints this season and the score line might have flattered Fremantle a touch.
Bookmakers have quite a distance between the two sides and with some confidence in the camp, the Swans could continue their winning exploits.
Betting tip: Sydney 1-39 to win @ $2 (BET NOW)
Sydney by 36
Sunday 20/05/18
1:10pm Carlton Blues vs. Melbourne Demons @ MCG
The Demons are certainly hitting their straps after another big display last week.
With impressive statistics to back up their five-win and three-loss season, the Demons will look to add another win to the column against the Blues, which are living up to their name.
One win and seven losses has marred another poor season for the Blues and it’s hard to see them improving enough to turn the tables.
Melbourne won both meetings between each other last year and this season should be no different.
Betting tip: Demons –34.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Melbourne by 46
3:20pm Brisbane Lions vs. Hawthorn Hawks @ Gabba
We say it every week that the Lions are getting too much respect in the market and they continue to lose.
Backing against the Lions has returned a significant profit this season and although there is some space in the market this time around, we still don’t believe the Lions are a $2.80 head-to-head team.
We would be wanting $4 for the Lions and although the Hawks are coming off a loss, there was enough there to suggest that they can get back to their winning ways.
Punters are getting good value here.
Betting tip: Hawthorn –15.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Hawthorn by 30
4:40pm West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond Tigers @ Optus Stadium
This should be a good game to close the week as two quality teams do battle.
It’s first vs. second on the ladder and both teams are evenly matched in most statistical categories.
The Eagles did what they needed to win against GWS last week and the Tigers scored a 10-point win over the Kangaroos after leading for most of the game.
Of the two teams, the Eagles looked the more impressive and playing at home has its advantages.
There promises to be very little between these two sides and backing either team 1-39 in the margin markets would be a good bet.
Betting tip: West Coast 1-39 @ $2.40 (BET NOW)
West Coast by 12
Once again, all odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
