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Essendon v West Coast, Telstra Dome, Fri Jun 8 (7:40pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Essendon have won their last 3 straight including last weeks “oh no not the extra thick padding” upset over Sydney at the SCG. They have been very competitive all season but the Sydney win was another step up and goes along way to supporting claims that they are a genuine top 8 prospect in 2007. West Coast predictably bounced back at home against the Kangaroos, consolidating their position at the top of the ladder and remain the form team of the competition. The Footypunt View West Coast go to Telstra Dome attempting to avoid a hatrick of away losses after going down to Geelong and Hawthorn in recent interstate trips. Their home form has been impressive but 4 matches outside W.A. have yielded two losses, a 1 point win over Sydney and an unconvincing 26 point victory over Richmond who remained right in the match until the final minutes. Again this couldn’t be considered a “must win” match for the Eagles and while they are traveling comfortably on top of the ladder I believe they will continue to be vulnerable in these “non critical” away matches. Essendon will go into this one feeling they have a real opportunity to make it 4 on end here and there is every reason to believe it could be their 3rd “nail biter” in a row. The bookies have West Coast at what are, on face value, very tempting odds around $1.62. However I can see Essendon perhaps sneaking home here and looking at the Under 24.5 option at Centrebet as well as a saver on Either Side Und 15.5.
Hawthorn v Sydney, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sat Jun 9 (2:10pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book After a wobbly old start to 2007 Sydney returned to some of their best form with strong performances against Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs before a somewhat unlucky loss to a gallant Essendon side last week. Despite copping some unfair criticism for their “unspectacular” style of play Hawthorn have been nothing short of sensational this season and now sit 3rd on the ladder after dominating wins over West Coast & Port Adelaide in the past two weeks. The Footypunt View This is shaping up as a really important match for both sides. Sydney will be desperate to get their season back on track and Hawthorn would like nothing more than to knock over their 3rd highly rated opposition in as many weeks. Can’t see anything but a closely fought affair and the bookies have opened the market accordingly with the Hawks marginal favourites around the $1.85 mark. Still rate Sydney to be right there at the business end this season and if that’s going to be the case then this is a game they really need to win. Therefore picking Sydney to get up in a tight one and once again will be looking closely at the Under 24.5 option at Centrebet as well as Either Side Under 15.5 for the saver.
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, Sat Jun 9 (7:10pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book These sides currently sit 10th & 11th on the ladder and to be honest I havn’t been impressed by either of them over the past few weeks. Brisbane played ok to scrap out a draw against the winless Tigers last round and the Bulldogs failed to put Carlton away after looking likely to do so on a couple of occasions during the match. The Footypunt View To be blunt neither side inspire much confidence going into this and I’m finding it pretty tough to tip a winner. The bookies have opened up the Bulldogs as favourites and on that basis alone I suppose Brisbane provide an ounce of value in what for me is almost a toss of the coin affair. Not one to shy away from a bet though, Ill probably have a wee tickle on the Lions head to head at $2.12 with Pinnacle.
Carlton v Port Adelaide, Telstra Dome, Sat Jun 9 (7:10pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Port have now lost 3 in a row and the large contingent of plaudits singing their praises only a few weeks back (including myself) are now re-directing our chorus of compliments to sides like the “mighty” Cats and “awesome” Hawks. And then there’s Carlton, written off by most, they come out & produce their best performance of the season to beat the Doggies last Sunday. Hard to know exactly where we stand form wise going into this one. The Footypunt View Carlton did look good last week but the form around the Bulldogs is starting to look a bit ordinary and perhaps they were just given too much time & space by a disappointing Doggies side. After saying that it’s fairly hard to maintain any real confidence in Port after their past two performances so this a match I’m not getting overly excited about as a betting proposition. The bookies have opened up Port as slight favourites and I’m prepared to give them one more chance and tip them to win here at $1.88 head to head.
Adelaide v Geelong, AAMI Stadium, Sun Jun 10 (1:10pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Geelong are on fire winning their past 5 on the trot by an average margin of 67 points. Despite sitting 5th on the ladder Adelaide have played 7 teams who currently reside outside the top 8 and have struggled to produce their impressive form of last year. The Footypunt View Geelong are undoubtedly the form team of the competition and return to the scene of their impressive 56 point win over Port 2 weeks ago. Based on past misdemeanors they are tipped by the skeptics to fall over every week but continue to produce the goods and even their strongest critics are starting to admit that the Cats may just be the real deal of 2007. On the contrary Adelaide have struggled to put opposition away at home this season and will need to lift significantly to halt the Geelong juggernaut on Sunday. The bookies have opened up the Cats as firmish favorites around $1.73 but this still looks like some value in their current form. Feel if the Cats win it is likely to be comfortable and therefore no problem giving away 6.5 at the line. For a bit of extra value Geelong Over 24.5 at Centrebet is certainly worthy of some thought.
St Kilda v Kangaroos, Telstra Dome, Sun Jun 10 (2:10pm) The Odds (as at 5pm Thurs)
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