Richmond Tigers v Geelong Cats
Friday, August 3 7:50pm, MCG
Friday night footy in Round 20 should be one of the best matchups of the season. The Tigers are aiming for an amazing 19th straight win at this venue and the Cats are finding form. Mainly thanks to Tom Hawkins, who’s kicked 18 goals in his last 3! But the Tigers have Alex Rance and he should slow the big forward down this week. The two sides met in Round 13 at the ‘G and the Tigers continued their winning ways with an 18 point victory. They’re coming off a 28 point win over the Magpies here and I can see another 1-39 victory here for the best team in the AFL.
Stadium Record
This season, the Tigers hold a 11-0 record at MCG. In 2018, the Cats hold a 2-3 record at MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Cats are 8-2 against the Tigers. However, Richmond has won the last 2.
Best Bet
Hawthorn Hawks v Essendon Bombers
Saturday, August 4 1:45pm, MCG
No love is lost when the Hawks and Bombers meet so this matchup should be no different. With both sides looking to secure a top 8 position, the rivalry takes on more significance. The Hawks are coming off 2 easy wins over bottom 8 sides via the 40+ margin and they sit 7th on the ladder. The Bombers are one of the most improved sides since Round 9 as they’ve won 8 of 10. They comfortably accounted for the Swans last week and they’ll need to continue that form against the Hawks. They did meet in Round 7 with the Hawks getting the 4 points in a 90-67 scoreline. They do have a better record at the MCG this season and they also have the wood over the Bombers. But this is a tough game to tip a winner. So I think this should turn into a high scoring affair with both sides in great goal-scoring form.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Hawks are 5-2 at MCG. This season, the Bombers hold a 1-5 record at MCG.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Hawks are 8-3 against the Bombers.
Best Bet
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne Kangaroos
Saturday, August 4 2:10pm, Gabba
Last season, this was the wooden spoon battle. However, both sides have shown improvement in 2018, especially the Roos. They beat up the Eagles by 40 points last week to keep their top 8 hopes alive. While Shaun Higgins will miss, I think the motivation of finals will be hard to bet against. The Lions have lost their last 2 and haven’t been able to stop the Roos in their past meetings. The Kangaroos have won the last 5 meetings, which includes 3 straight at the Gabba.
Stadium Record
This season, the Lions hold a 2-7 record at Gabba. The Kangaroos are 3-0 at the Gabba since 2015.
Head to Head Record
The Kangaroos hold a 10-3 record against the Lions.
Best Bet
Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Power
Saturday, August 4 4:35pm, Adelaide Oval
The Showdown is back on the agenda as the Crows and Power meet at the Adelaide Oval. The Crows season is pretty much over at this point so this will likely be their Grand Final. Meanwhile, the Power are currently in the top 4 and would love to stay there. However, they haven’t been at their best lately. They beat the woeful Bulldogs last week but have lost to the Giants and Dockers previously. So this another tough tip in Round 20. But I can see a low scoring affair. Rain is forecast in Adelaide on Saturday and both sides rank in the bottom 8 for points scored in season 2018.
Stadium Record
This season, the Crows are 6-4 and the Power hold a 7-2 record at Adelaide Oval.
Head to Head Record
The Crows are 9-8 against the Power.
Best Bet
St Kilda Saints v Western Bulldogs
Saturday, August 4 7:25pm, Etihad Stadium
In a battle of two disappointing teams, the Saints will play the Bulldogs at Etihad. For the Saints, they’re coming off another loss where they couldn’t convert in front of goals. Which is the story of this season. While for the Dogs, they seem to go missing in the second half of games. They’ve won 1 of their last 9 and have failed to score over 50 points in their last 2. So the Saints really should win this.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Saints hold a 2-6 (1 draw) record at Etihad Stadium and the Bulldogs are 4-6.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Saints are 7-5 against the Bulldogs.
Best Bet
Sydney Swans v Collingwood Magpies
Saturday, August 4 7:25pm, SCG
Sydney not only lost to the Bombers last week by 43 points but they also tumbled out of the top 8. After 2 straight losses and a 1-4 record in their last 5, a quick turnaround in form is needed. The Magpies head to Sydney after a tough loss to the Tigers. Based on Sydney’s woeful form at the moment, it’s hard to see the Swans as a favourite. They’ve actually performed better away from the SCG this season and were dominated by the Suns in the last game here. While the Magpies have injury concerns, their midfield is much stronger compared to the Swans injury-hit lineup and that’s where this game should be won. Brodie Grundy will be the key in the ruck and the likes of Pendles/Sidebottom/Adams getting the Pies rolling in the clearances.
Stadium Record
This season, the Swans hold a 4-5 record at SCG. This is the first game for the Magpies at SCG since Round 3, 2017 and they won that game by a 1 point.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Magpies are 6-4 against the Swans.
Best Bet
Carlton Blues v GWS Giants
Sunday, August 5 1:10pm, Etihad Stadium
The Blues finally broke their losing streak last week as they beat up the Suns by 35 points. However, the Giants will be a tough challenge. The team from the West of Sydney is coming to Melbourne with 3 straight wins and a 7-1 record in their last 8. So they’re peaking nicely for the finals. While the Blues won the last game against them at this venue, that should give them extra motivation to smash them this time. Previously, they had beat the Blues by 40+ in the last 3 and I can see that happening again. Especially now that Jeremy Cameron returns to the forward line.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Blues are 0-5 at Etihad Stadium. The Giants drew against the Saints in their only game at Etihad this season.
Head to Head Record
The Giants are 4-3 against the Blues.
Best Bet
Melbourne Demons v Gold Coast Suns
Sunday, August 5 3:20pm, MCG
The Demons are paying just $1.03 as they face the Suns at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. The Gold Coast responded from an incredible win over the Swans with another terrible performance against the Blues. In a matchup of the two bottom sides, the Suns could only manage 44 points in a 6 goal defeat. So I think the Demons are going to enjoy a very easy matchup. They’re the best scoring team in the AFL and they will face the Suns 15th ranked defence, which is even more weaker after Steven Mays suspension. They also beat them by 69 points at the Gabba this season.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Demons hold a 3-5 record at MCG. The Suns haven't played at MCG since Round 12, 2017 and they won that game by 16 points.
Head to Head Record
The Demons are 8-3 against the Suns.
Best Bet
West Coast Eagles v Fremantle Dockers
Sunday, August 5 4:40pm, Optus Stadium
The round of AFL action concludes with another Derby as the Eagles and Dockers battle at Optus Stadium. The Eagles got the victory in the Round 6 matchup by 8 points and I’m predicting a similar margin. The Dockers season is over but they would love nothing more than to hurt the Eagles top 8 position. Meanwhile, the Eagles lost badly to the Roos last week and miss Josh Kennedy in the forward line. So that should give the Dockers a chance of keeping this under the 35.5 line.
Stadium Record
The Eagles hold an 8-2 record at Optus Stadium and the Dockers are 6-4.
Head to Head Record
The Eagles are 9-8 against the Dockers since 2010.
Best Bet
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