West Coast v Collingwood tips, prediction and odds update; AFL round 5 preview 2021

Welcome to our West Coast Eagles v Collingwood tips, prediction and odds analysis ahead of their AFL round 5 clash at Optus Stadium, Perth on Friday night. 

This is an intriguing match-up given their recent history, especially the 2018 grand final won by the Eagles by five points in a result that was dagger through the heart of Collingwood supporters.

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Of course, the Magpies gained some minuscule measure of revenge last season when they scored a shock one-point win against the Eagles in Perth in the first elimination final, which was a rare defeat on home soil for the Perth side.

But the Magpies of 2021 are seemingly headed south. They have a relatively healthy list, though the two main players on their injured list, Taylor Adams (knee) and Jame Elliott (broken leg), are probably their best midfielder and best forward respectively.

Throw in the fact that they pushed speedy midfielder Adam Treloar out the door due to salary cap constraints, and the cupboard for quality midfielders is looking a little bare.

Collingwood suffered a heart-breaking loss to an after-the-siren goal to the Lions a fortnight ago, but really dropped their bundle with an insipid, careful display against the undermanned GWS Giants last week by five goals.

That sort of form spells disaster when you are headed to Perth to play the Eagles, who have won five of the past seven clashes between these teams.

The Eagles themselves are only 2-2 in the win-loss stakes and were overrun last week by a magnificent, relentless St Kilda. But the West Coast are more or less a different team when playing in Perth and they have flogged the Gold Coast and premiership contenders Port Adelaide already at Optus Stadium this season.

The Eagles have a couple of injury concerns, with no time line for the return of gun midfielder Elliot Yeo, while Luke Shuey (hamstring) and Shannon Hurn (calf) are among others under a cloud.

But their forward line is packed to bursting with potential goals. While the Magpies have a sound defence, it’s hard to see how they can manage a winning score in this fixture.

The Magpies are expected to give a debut to highly promising young midfielder Finlay Macrae, the younger brother of Western Bulldogs star Jack.

Continue reading for our free West Coast v Collingwood betting tips and prediction for their AFL round 5 clash at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

Start:	8.20pm AEST, April 16
Venue:	Optus Stadium, Perth
Head-to-head odds:	West Coast ($1.33) v Collingwood ($3.35)
Line betting:	West Coast -22.5 points ($1.90) v Collingwood +22.5 ($1.90)
Premiership odds:	West Coast $9; Collingwood $31

West Coast v Collingwood betting tips

Our AFL betting expert has run the rule over the odds and found some value Eagles-Magpies tips:

West Coast v Collingwood prediction 16/4/2021

If the Magpies fold again, as is widely expected, you will hear the drums beating ever louder for an end to coach Nathan Buckley’s tenure. Which really is a little unfair, as this week’s road trip is the hardest in the AFL. If however the Pies can’t win at least two of their following three matches against Essendon, Gold Coast and North Melbourne, it could be curtains for Buckley after a long stint leading the Pies. On West Coast’s side, this is a match they can’t afford to drop if they want to be considered serious title contenders. Their win over Port tells you just how hard they are to beat on their home ground. Our final West Coast v Collingwood prediction? The Eagles to win by 40 points. 

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