Super Saturday in AFL Round 19 will feature one of the great rivalries of our game as Collingwood and Carlton lock horns once more at the MCG. On top of the intense rivalry, this is also an important match for both clubs and their finals aspirations.
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Magpies vs Blues below, with odds thanks to UniBet!
Collingwood vs Carlton Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2026 Round 19
Pies Finding a Way
Collingwood are still finding ways to bank wins, currently sitting eighth on the ladder after scraping past North Melbourne by four points last week. That tight result followed a similarly tense six-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns in Round 17, proving they can grind out the close ones when it matters. While they aren't exactly blowing teams off the park, they have the ultimate trump card in Nick Daicos, who is the raging Brownlow favourite for a reason and continues to dominate the midfield week after week. The Pies do have a couple of key absences with Darcy Moore and Lachie Schultz sidelined, but their depth is solid enough to cover those gaps without losing their trademark grit when the game is on the line.
Blues Looking to Rebound
Carlton's season has been full of drama, and their massive hype train hit a major wall last Sunday. After an incredible 7-0 run under interim coach Josh Fraser that completely turned their year around, which included a couple of thrilling close wins, their bubble burst in a brutal 64-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG. Missing Jacob Weitering in defence hurt them badly, but the game was truly lost at the source. The Hawks completely outhunted them early, exposing Carlton's lack of situational awareness in the wet conditions and dominating the contested ball.
The Head-to-Head Edge
While rivalry games can throw up surprises, the recent history between these two powerhouses is heavily one-sided. Collingwood has completely dominated this fixture lately, winning eight of their last nine matches against Carlton, which includes a tense five-point victory back in Round 6 of this season. Carlton's current structural issues without Weitering play right into the Pies' hands, and history suggests Collingwood simply knows how to get the job done in these high-pressure MCG blockbusters.
Pies or Blues? Here’s Our Best Bet!
Backing Collingwood in the 1-39 margin looks like the smartest play for this Saturday night clash. The Pies have the late-game composure and a clear psychological edge over the Blues. Carlton should show some fight after getting embarrassed by the Hawks last week, which should keep the margin respectable, but their defensive vulnerabilities and new midfield injury woes are currently too hard to ignore against a quality opponent. Expect a tight, physical contest with the Pies doing enough to edge out a close one.
Collingwood 1-39
$2.25 (1.5 Units)
Collingwood vs Carlton Prop Bet
Sam Swadling has made a nice impact since debuting for the Magpies in Round 15. This will be his fifth straight game since his debut, so he’s getting a good look at senior footy. Swadling is spending the majority of his time as a high half forward and has managed to hit the scoreboard in three of his four matches. He remains terrific value to kick another goal on Saturday night.
Sam Swadling Anytime Goal Scorer
$3.25
Collingwood vs Carlton Same Game Multi
Collingwood to Win: For the reasons mentioned in our best bet. They’ve had the wood over the Blues for a number of years now and they are the deserving favourites again.
Sam Swadling Anytime Goal Scorer: Also mentioned above in our prop bet. He’s well over the odds considering his hit rate, kicking a goal in three of his four career games thus far.
Ben Ainsworth Anytime Goal Scorer: He’s having a solid first season in the navy blue and continues to hit the scoreboard. He’s kicked at least one goal in five straight matches.
Collingwood vs Carlton Match Info & Betting Odds
Date: Saturday 18th July
Time: 7:35pm AEST
Location: MCG, Melbourne
Odds: Collingwood $1.70 vs Carlton $2.17
Line: -5.5
Points: 167.5
Where to Watch Collingwood vs Carlton
You can watch the Magpies vs Blues live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back in our 2026 AFL Tips at UniBet!
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