Collingwood v North Melbourne betting tips and prediction
Welcome to our Collingwood v North Melbourne betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 18 clash at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
The Magpies (1.38) are the bookies’ elect to defeat the Roos (3.05) after rattling off three successive wins, including last week’s defeat of the Gold Coast.
Both the Magpies and Roos are in contention to play finals, but neither can afford many slip-ups from here, with their ladder positions ninth and 11th respectively.
Australian betting sites have set the Magpies-Roos line at 17.5 points, while the over/under total points mark sits at 174.5.
Collingwood is unlikely to make wholesale changes to the team that defeated the Gold Coast, with Scott Pendlebury (calf) set to return, which could spell trouble for Ned Long or Angus Anderson.
The Magpies may also consider blooding a third mid-season recruit to combat Roos tall Tristan Xerri, with Harrison Coe outstanding at VFL level last match.
North Melbourne will be without hard nut midfielder George Wardlaw with a hamstring injury, but they only have four on the injury list, with only one of these a walk-up start. Small forward Paul Curtis will return after his suspension.
Collingwood v Kangaroos betting tips
Our AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Collingwood v North Melbourne tips:
Tim Membrey 3+ goals
Membrey played one of his best games in black and white against the Suns last round. The former Saint also has a great record at Marvel Stadium, where marking players can often shine. After we hit with him last game, we’re willing to go again here, in a match he should get plenty of looks. he is paying 2.80 to kick 3+ goals this week.
Nick Larkey 3+ goals
Larkey has not been as prolific as other years but remains the Roos’ focal point up front. He will cop a combination of Billie Frampton, Brayden Maynard and Liam Puncher, and must kick goals if the Roos are to win.
Jordan De Goey 25+ possessions
With De Goey in such good form it is giving the Pies the chance to send Nick Daicos forward at times. We expect him to spend the bulk of his time in the midfield in this match. He is also paying 2.10 to reach 25+ after just 16 against the Suns. Keep an eye on selection here, and potentially ignore this tip if both Ned Long and Angus Anderson are picked, along with Pendlebury, because it could indicate he will play forward more.
Collingwood v North Melbourne prediction
The Magpies have got their season back on track in the last three weeks, albeit against teams unlikely to play finals. The Roos have also won three of their last four, but were disappointing against the Power on the road last round. We can see the Roos being competitive for a half, but the experience of the Pies and some Daicos brilliance taking it away from them in the second half. You could do worse than take the Roos to lead at half-time and the Pies to win. Our final Collingwood v North Melbourne prediction? Magpies by 19 points.
