Essendon v Fremantle tips, predictions & odds analysis, AFL Rd 1, 2020

Essendon will begin its 2020 campaign against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon as an eerily quiet AFL season enters its third match.

The Bombers are $1.45 favourite to win the encounter, while the Dockers are $2.69 outsiders with Unibet.com.au.

It’s hard seeing the young Dockers, under new coach Justin Longmuir, troubling the Bombers in Melbourne in what could only be described as bizarre circumstances; with the covid-19 pandemic engulfing Australia, causing all AFL matches to be shortened and no crowds in attendance.

The opening two matches have been blowouts that the World Gambling List has successfully tipped, with Richmond and Collingwood flexing their muscle against Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.

As a punter if there is one thing we have learned it is that 30 possessions is the new 35 with the shortened matches, and 25 touches is the new 30.

With this in mind lets take a look at the Freo-Dons betting for round 1 of the 2020 AFL season. Here are our free Essendon v Fremantle tips, winner prediction and odds analysis.

Bombers v Dockers odds

Head to head odds: Bombers ($1.46) v Dockers ($2.69)
Line betting: Bombers -15.5 ($1.90) v Dockers +15.5 ($1.90)
1st goalscorer odds: Jake Stringer $9, Michael Walters $10, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti $12, Cameron McCarthy $15, Jayden Laverde $13, Lachie Schultz $15, Orazio Fantasia $15, Matthew Taberner $15

Essendon vs Fremantle best bet tips

After examining the the Essendom v Fremantle betting, we have found some value, but first we’ll brag about our opening round betting exploits.

Our opening two tips articles for the AFL have provided two winning teams, plus an $8 winner after successfully predicting Brodie Grundy to win the Robert Rose Medal in the Pies win over the Bulldogs. On Thursday night we successfully tipped Cripps for most touches and a Richmond victory.

Here are our best bet tips for the Essendon v Fremantle clash being played at Marvel Stadium.

Dylan Shiel and Angus Monfries same game multi tip

The two Bombers are prolific to say the least and we expect them to again lead their midfield. Won’t pay a mountain (this was paying $2.83 with Sportsbet at time of writing) but barring injury it’s almost a certainty that Shiel will gather 20 possessions and Monfries 25. Going on the theory that 25 is the new 30 stacks up well for Monfries, who has gathered over 30 possessions in each of the Bombers last four matches at Marvel Stadium.

Matthew Taberner to score 3 or more goals

At one point last season Matt Taberner was dominating key defenders, but failing to convert at a high enough level. Injury then ruined his season, and it’s easy to forget just how good a player he can be. Our spies over in the west tell us Taberner is ready to step up and fill the shoes of absent spearhead Jesse Hogan, who is on leave with mental health problems. Taberner is paying $9 to kick most goals with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Essendon v Fremantle prediction 21/3/2020

We’re predicting John Worsfold’s Essendon to get the job against Fremantle, largely because they have more depth through the midfield. The Dockers will feel the loss of runners Bradley Hill to St Kilda and Ed Langdon to Melbourne and could be in for a long season.

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