Carlton v Melbourne tips, predictions and best bets; AFL rd 2 betting preview

Melbourne is the bookies’ favourite to defeat Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We have previewed the game and presented our free Carlton v Melbourne tips and best bets for the round 2 AFL clash.

The Blues showed some positive signs in their opening match of the AFL season more than two months ago, when they lost by 24 points to Richmond at the MCG, with recruit Jack Martin showing why they were so keen to lure him from the Gold Coast, with four goals.

Melbourne, who are probably the team under the most pressure after a disastrous 2019 campaign, were beaten by 27 points by West Coast in their season opener and coach Simon Goodwin will be desperate to show their disappointing form was not a continuation of last year.

The bookies have installed the Demons a short $1.56 to defeat the Blues ($2.43) with many tipping them to be the big improver this year after injuries to key personnel largely derailed an already floundering season.

The Blues on the other hand will be missing star forward Charlie Curnow (season), Matthew Kreuzer (5-6 weeks) and Caleb Marchbank and will be sweating on the fitness of speedster Zac Fisher. They will, however, be boosted by the inclusion of mercurial veteran Eddie Betts and giant forward Harry McKay, who missed round 1 through injury.

Below we examine the Carlton v Melbourne odds and give our betting tips ahead of their round 2 AFL clash.

Carlton v Melbourne odds

Start:	4:35PM Local Time, June 13
Venue:	Marvel Stadium
Head-to-head odds:	Melbourne ($1.56) v Carlton ($2.43)
Line Betting:	Melbourne -10.5 ($1.90) v Carlton +10.5 ($1.90)
Premiership Odds:	Melbourne $34; Carlton $67

Carlton v Melbourne betting tips

Our AFL betting expert has scoured the odds and found some value. Here are our Carlton v Melbourne tips:

Melbourne to win by 1-39 points

Many AFL betting sites have got a margins market that includes either team winning by 1-39 points, with a Demons victory within this range paying $2. We just don’t think the Demons have the firepower to win by any more and this offers some value for our multi legs.

Jack Martin to score two or more goals

New Blue Jack Martin is paying $2.75 to score at least two goals, which seems generous given he was the one who looked most likely in their opening round loss to Richmond. We think two goals is probably par for a guy who will play forward most of the day, with the $7.50 on offer at Unibet for him to kick three very very tempting.

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Carlton v Melbourne prediction

While we are predicting this game to be closer than what the bookies expect, the fact Carlton are missing ruckman Matthew Kreuzer leaves them with the inexperienced Marc Pittonet to take on all-Australian Max Gawn, which we think might be a bridge too far for the former Hawk. Couple this with the Demons beating the Blues in their last four encounters and it’s enough to lock in a verdict. Our final Carlton v Melbourne prediction? Melbourne by 13 points.

Blues v Demons lowdown

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