Western Bulldogs v Sydney betting tips and prediction
Welcome to our Western Bulldogs v Sydney betting tip and winner prediction for their AFL round 7 clash at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs (4.45) are remarkably outsiders against the Swans (1.21) after a spate of injuries, including star tall Sam Darcy, midfielder Tom Liberatore and defenders Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell.
The Dogs, who have dropped successive matches, are also unlikely to regain no.1 ruckman Tim English (knee), while skipper Marcus Bontempelli faces a fitness wth a knee complaint of his own.
MORE: AFL betting tips & prevews
Just how serious Bontempelli’s injury is remains to be seen, but Sportsbet has suspended any bet options that include him, indicating he is no guarantee to play.
The Dogs are likely to call on veteran midfielder Adam Treloar for his first match of the year, while Jedd Busslinger and Ryan Gardner can play a role in defence.
The Swans, whose one blemish came against Hawthorn, have defeated Gold Coast and GWS in successive weeks to sit atop the AFL ladder.
They are unlikely to make major changes, with veteran Dane Rampe to return, while mature age recruit Billy Cootee (12 disposals and three goals at the lower level) and Will Edwards have also been floated as potential debutants this week.
The Bulldogs won their most recent clash against the Swans, in round 16 last season, but much has changed since then, with the Sydney club playing better football in Dean Cox’s second year in charge.
The Dogs-Swans line has been set at 30.5 points, with this sure to attract attention, while the over/under points mark is at 188.5, indicating oddsmakers expect a high-scoring contest.
Bulldogs v Sydney betting tips
Our AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Dogs v Swans tips:
Charlie Curnow 4+ goals
The guy oozes talent but has began his career as a Swan, much like he did at the Blues by burning punters with his inconsistent performances. If Curnow can’t put the Dogs to the sword in perfect conditions against a team missing their key talls, we don’t know when he will. He is paying 2.90 to kick 4+ with Australian betting sites.
Jordan Croft 3+ goals
We’re not sure Croft’s odds for 3+ will be as long as 8.00 for very long, with the father-son selection being overshadowed by Darcy in his young career. At 201cm and with athleticism to burn expect him to be more prominent up forward and the 3+ odds are too tempting for us.
Matthew Kennedy 25+ possessions
We are tempted to take Treloar for possessions, with the ex-Magpie prolific when he’s at his best, and he looks fit after a best on ground display in the VFL. We’re going to think on it, but will have Kennedy for over 25 possessions, with the importance of his role increasing following the injury to Liberatore. Kennedy is paying 1.62 to reach 25+ with Neds Australia.
Western Bulldogs v Sydney prediction
The Bulldogs injury list has made it very hard to feel bullish about them heading into this game, even though we’re not sold on the Swans as serious contenders. The Swans key forwards must be licking their lips with the injuries to key defenders, and it’s time for their boom recruit to fire in perfect condtions at Marvel, with a VFL standard opponentn. Our final Bulldogs v Swans prediction? Dogs by 34 points.
