Carlton v Collingwood betting tips, prediction & odds | AFL Rd 2 Preview 2021

Collingwood and Carlton will clash at the MCG on Thursday night, in what looms as one of the most keenly anticipated matches between the arch rivals in years. Here are our free Blues v Magpies tips and predictions. 

The Magpies are the narrow favourites with AFL bookies, priced at $1.84 to salute, while the Blues are outsiders at $2. The $1.90 line has been set at 2.5 points for the clash. 

Carlton played their opening round last Thursday, when they were competitive against reigning premiers Richmond, before being dismissed to the tune of 25 points. Again too much was left to captain Patrick Cripps, who paired well with youngster Sam Walsh. 

Collingwood played on Friday night against the Bulldogs and would be bitterly disappointed with their performance. If it wasn’t for Darcy Moore’s magnificence down back the damage might have been far worse, as the Magpies’ inability to score was laid bare by the well-drilled Dogs. 

Carlton will include boom recruit Zac Williams, who will bolster their midfield running power after serving a suspension, and Jack Martin, who was a late withdrawal against the Tigers. Key position pair Mitch McGovern and Caleb Marchbank are still another week away from resuming. 

The Magpies are likely to be boosted by star runner Steele Sidebottom, who missed the Bulldogs clash with a minor calf ailment, and will seriously consider axing several big names, including under-performing forwards Will Hoskin-Elliott and debutant Ollie Henry. Midfielder Brayden Sier could also find himself in the gun, but may be given more time after missing significant chunks of football in recent years. 

Continue reading for our free Carlton v Collingwood tips for their AFL rd 2 clash at the MCG on Thursday night. 

Carlton v Collingwood match info

Kick-off: 7.20pm local time, 25/3/2021
Venue: MCG, Melbourne
Head to head odds: Carlton $2.00, Collingwood $1.84
Line betting: Carlton (+2.5 points) $1.90, Collingwood (-2.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 164.5 points:  over $1.88, under: $1.88

Carlton v Collingwood tips

Our AFL betting expert has cast his eye over all the markets and found some value Carlton v Collingwood tips for Thursday’s clash.

Carlton v Collingwood prediction 25/3 

These two teams look to be heading in opposite directions, with the expectations on Carlton that they need to play finals in 2021. Collingwood meanwhile traded out one of their best midfielders in Adam Treloar and sent Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson to North Melbourne in what was described as a “fire sale”. While we expect this to be a close game and are unlikely to bet on the head to head outcome, the Blues look to have a little bit more firepower up forward and a more balanced midfield, especially with the inclusion of Williams and Martin. Our final Carlton v Collingwood prediction? Carlton by six points. 

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