Adelaide Crows v Collingwood Magpies
Friday, April 13 7:50pm, Adelaide Oval
Round 4 begins with the Crows hosting the Magpies at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night. The Crows are looking the better side with a 2-1 record so far this season. So they should enjoy playing at home against the Magpies. Last time out, the Crows crushed the Saints 104-55 and comfortably defeated the Tigers in Round 2. The Magpies comfortably beat the Blues last week by 24 points. The two sides did play in a draw last season but the Crows should win this at home. The Crows have a much stronger defence compared to the Blues which can stop the Magpies small forward line.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Crows hold a 1-0 record at the Adelaide Oval. Which they won against the Tigers by 36 points. The Magpies haven't played at the Adelaide Oval since Round 17, 2016 and they lost that match by 28 points versus the Crows.
Head to Head Record
The last clash ended in a 103-103 draw at the MCG.
Best Bet
GWS Giants v Fremantle Dockers
Saturday, April 14 1:45pm, UNSW Canberra Oval
This matchup sees the 2-1 Giants hosting the 2-1 Dockers at UNSW Canberra Oval on Saturday afternoon. Both sides are looking for win number 3 in this match so the stakes are high. Last round, the Giants were easily beat the Swans by 16 points. The Dockers accounted for the Suns last week by 28 points and also beat the Bombers previously 106-90. However, the Giants last match at this venue was impressive and they'll likely dominate the Dockers young midfield in a 1-39 victory.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Giants are 1-0 at UNSW Canberra Oval. Which they won against the Bulldogs by 81 points. This is the first match for the Dockers at UNSW Canberra Oval.
Head to Head Record
The Giants have a 3-0 record since the 2016 season. The Giants beat the Dockers 98-86 at Spotless Stadium in the last meeting.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, April 14 2:10pm, MCG
Round 4 continues as the 2-1 Tigers host the 0-3 Lions. Looking at the two sides, the Tigers have been fairly more consistent and should be confident at the MCG. Last week, The Tigers comfortably beat the Hawks in the end by 13 points. Meanwhile, the Lions were unlucky to lose against the Power by 5 points. The Lions are showing alot of improvement this season and have a good chance of keeping this close at the MCG. Noone gave them a chance last week, including me, so I'll back them to beat the 42.5 line.
Stadium Record
This season, the Tigers hold a 2-0 record at the MCG. The Lions haven't played at the MCG since Round 10, 2017, which they lost by 45 points against the Magpies.
Head to Head Record
The Tigers have a 3-0 record since the 2016 season and haven't lost against the Lions since 2009.
Best Bet
Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Saturday, April 14 4:35pm, Etihad Stadium
The Bulldogs play host to the Swans at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Swans are looking the better side after 2 wins this season. The Swans comfortably defeated the Giants last round 103-87 and do enjoy playing at Etihad. They have a 12-1 record at the venue, interestingly though the Bulldogs were the last side to beat them here. The Bulldogs accounted for the Bombers last week by 21 points and rebounded nicely after getting smashed by the Eagles. Sydney has a few injury concerns with Sam Reid the main out. However, I can't see the Bulldogs stopping Buddy Franklin at the moment. So a Sydney 1-39 win is good value.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Bulldogs are 1-1 at Etihad Stadium. The Swans haven't played at Etihad Stadium since Round 8, 2017, which they won by 42 points against the Kangaroos. They hold a 12-1 at Etihad.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs have a 3-1 record since the 2016 season. The Bulldogs comfortably defeated the Swans by 23 points in the last clash.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Carlton Blues
Saturday, April 14 7:25pm, Blundstone Arena
Round 4 continues as the Kangaroos play the Blues at Blundstone Arena. The Kangaroos are looking the better side despite a 1-2 record so far this season. Last week, the Kangaroos were easily beat the Demons 123-86 and but did smash the Saints previously by 52 points. Last week, the Blues were easily beat by the Magpies 100-76 and the Suns previously 101-67. In this clash, the Kangaroos will look to take advantage of the Blues weak defence with Ben Brown and Waite up forward. They also have the wood over the Blues and should be able to cover the line.
Stadium Record
The Kangaroos went 2-1 at this venue last year. This is the first match for the Blues at Blundstone Arena.
Head to Head Record
The Kangaroos have a 2-0 record since the 2016 season. The Kangaroos beat the Blues 113-96 at Etihad Stadium in the last meeting.
Best Bet
West Coast Eagles v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday, April 14 8:10pm, Optus Stadium
Round 4 continues as the 2-1 Eagles host the 2-1 Suns. Both teams have the same record in 2018 so this should be a close contest. The Eagles outlasted the Cats last week by 15 points and smashed the Bulldogs back in Round 2 121-70. Last match, the Suns were easily defeated against the Dockers by 28 points. So after they finished within 5 goals of the Dockers, I think the Eagles are a similar side and the Suns should be able to cover the line. They also don't have to travel back to Perth this week, which is a nice advantage.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Eagles are 1-1 at Optus Stadium and the Suns are 0-1.
Head to Head Record
The two teams are tied with a 1-1 record since the 2016 season.
Best Bet
Essendon Bombers v Port Adelaide Power
Sunday, April 15 1:10pm, Etihad Stadium
The Bombers play host to the Power at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Power are looking the better side after 3 wins this season. Last week, the Power just beat the Lions 97-92 and easily beat the Swans in Round 2 by 23 points. Last week, the Bombers were easily beat by the Bulldogs. They've now lost two in a row and it's really hard to see them stopping the Power around the clearances and up forward. So I'll back the Power to win by 6+.
Stadium Record
This season, the Bombers are 1-1 at Etihad Stadium. The Power haven't played at Etihad Stadium since Round 12, 2017, which they lost by 70 points against the Bombers.
Head to Head Record
The two teams are tied with a 1-1 record since the 2016 season. The Bombers easily won the last match by 70 points at Etihad Stadium.
Best Bet
Hawthorn Hawks v Melbourne Demons
Sunday, April 15 3:20pm, MCG
Sunday afternoon footy at the MCG will be played between the Hawks and the Demons. Both teams have the same record in 2018 so this should be a close contest. Last match, the Hawks were easily defeated by the Tigers 102-89 and just beat the Cats back in Round 2 by 1 point. The Demons accounted for the Kangaroos last round by 37 points and the Lions previously by 26 points. However, this looks like the toughest match of the round to pick. So in the end, I'm predicting a few lead changes and the wire to wire bet looks the best value.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Hawks hold a 2-1 record at the MCG. Also in 2018, the Demons are 1-1 at the MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Hawks have a 2-1 record since the 2016 season. In the last meeting, the Hawks just won by 3 points at the MCG.
Best Bet
Wire to Wire - Any Other Result $1.97
Geelong Cats v St Kilda Saints
Sunday, April 15 4:40pm, Kardinia Park
Sunday afternoon football in Round 4 finishes at Kardinia Park as the Cats play the Saints. Both sides are looking for win number 2 in this match so the stakes are high. Last week, the Cats comfortably lost against the Eagles 95-80 and only just lost against the Hawks previously 118-117. The Saints were crushed by the Crows last week by 49 points and by the Kangaroos in Round 2. Despite a few injuries for the Cats, they love playing at home and they should outclass the Saints in the midfield by around 4-5 goals. The Saints lack the skills and conversion in-front of goals to beat the top sides.
Stadium Record
Since 2017, the Cats are 6-1 at Kardinia Park. The Saints have lost their last 2 at the venue by 90+ points.
Head to Head Record
The two teams are tied with a 1-1 record since the 2016 season. The Cats beat the Saints 126-88 at Etihad Stadium.
Best Bet
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