The Sydney Swans will start as firm favourites as they line up against the struggling Collingwood Magpies on Saturday afternoon to kick off the five game slate. As always, check out our full preview and betting tips from PuntingInDanger below.
AFL Sydney vs Collingwood Betting Tips
SCG, Saturday 15th May 1.45pm (AEST)
It’s been very contrasting seasons to date for these two teams so far but for just the second time this year, the Pies will be coming into a game on the back of a win and with some momentum. Can they capitalise on it?
Match Prediction
A win over the struggling Kangaroos was enough to keep the life raft afloat last week for the Magpies. Many were calling for Nathan Buckley’s job after a 1-6 start but the Pies were solid against the Roos, claiming an 18 point win on the back of a brilliant six goal game by star forward Jordan De Goey. It was the ultimate response from the maligned star, who was the focus of criticism through the week due to his massive contract and underwhelming season so far.
The Swans were on the back of a brilliant win over the Cats when they travelled to the MCG to take on Melbourne in Round 8. They were gallant, but ultimately the in-form Demons were too strong to keep their undefeated season alive. Sydney went down by just nine points in a low scoring stalemate, led by Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Jake Lloyd, who had 93 touches between them.
The Swans have a really solid looking injury list at the moment. Isaac Heeney missed the loss to Melbourne but should be back in the line-up this week while Sam Naismith, Sam Reid and Ben Ronke are the only other notable injuries. Things aren’t as rosy for the Pies, who will be without Taylor Adams, Jamie Elliot, Jeremy Howe, Jordan Roughead as well as a host of role players for the clash.
The Swans start as 21.5 poitn favourites for the game, but is that a little but too much at the SCG, where they have actually been a little bit underwhelming this season. Sure they are 3-1 at home this year, but their wins have come at an average of just 12 points, including a two point win over Geelong and a three point win over Essendon in their last two. At the end of the day though, the Pies are just one of the worst teams in the league and I think the Swans are capable of covering the 21.5 point line on any day, at any ground.
The Swans put up 121 points and defeated the Crows by 33 points at the SCG earlier in the season, I expect this game to be a similar result.
Swans -21.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Swans Prop
Pretty hard to look past Buddy’s record against the Pies over the years. In 18 games against Collingwood, Franklin has booted 68 goals for an average of 3.7 per game and in his last game with full length quarters against them, he booted a lazy six. He has only kicked more career goals against Essendon. Back him to have a day on Saturday.
Magpies Prop
Like the odds of Josh Daicos to have 25+ this weekend. The youngster has had 24, 27 and 26 touches in increased midfield time over the past three weeks and in his last game against the Swans, which came in shortened quarters last season, he racked up 25 touches and a goal.
