Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood tips and odds, AFL Rd 1 prediction

Welcome to our Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood tips, prediction and odds analysis. Below our AFL expert will run you through the betting, selection and team news ahead of the 7.50PM start on Friday night.

The Western Bulldogs have firmed into favouritism for Friday night’s clash against Collingwood at Etihad stadium.

The Magpies had been solid in the betting, some quotes pricing them at $1.85 earlier this week but several key outs and a coronavirus scare to captain Scott Pendlebury has seen punters jump on the Bulldogs, and the Pies drift out to $1.95.

The Bulldogs, now priced at $1,85, finished last season strongly and have created a buzz by recruiting St Kilda forward Josh Bruce and key back Alex Keath, which has stiffened their spine. This, combined with the Bulldogs star midfield brigade and natural improvement from ruckman Tim English has the 2016 premiers firmly back in contention.

Collingwood is again expected to feature prominently in 2020, but will need some of their young talent like Stephenson (who has been named an emergency after an illness-interrupted preseason), Callum Brown, Josh Daicos and debutante Tyler Brown to drive improvement.

The Magpies are a candidate to make a late change after the Bulldogs opted to leave out emerging tall forward Josh Schache, with defender Jack Madgen potentially surplus to requirements down back.

Below we’ll run you through our Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs betting predictions, tips and odds analysis for their AFL Round 1 clash.

Bulldogs v Magpies odds

Head to head odds: Bulldogs ($1.85) v Magpies ($1.95)
Line betting: Bulldogs -1.5 ($1.90) v Magpies +1.5 ($1.90)
1st goalscorer odds: Josh Bruce $9.50, Jordan Degoey $9.50, Aaron Naughton $10, Brody Mihocek $13, Sam Lloyd $13, Jamie Elliott $14

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood best bet tips

We have examined the Bulldogs v Magpies betting and found some value in the player markets. A great way to bet on the AFL and get some value is to use betting sites that have features like Sportsbet’s Same Game Multi, which allows you to parlay up multiple legs and potentially receive a great payout for a small outlay.

Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott to kick three or more goals

Jamie Elliott, for once in his career, has had a flawless pre-season after coming off a solid 2019. We’re tipping the Magpies livewire will have a day out against the Bulldogs, a team he has performed well against in the past. The fact Elliott, who plays taller than his height, has Degoey as another mid-sized forward foil makes him a candidate to slip under the radar and the $5.50 on offer to kick three or more goals is too juicy for us.

Jack Macrae to get more than 30 touches

Remarkably Bulldogs ball-winner Jack Macrae has gathered more than 30 touches in their last 12 games. Although the Bulldogs look to have more depth through the key midfield slots this year, it’s hard not seeing Macrae and Josh Dunkley gather plenty of the ball against a Magpies midfield that is unlikely to tag. Macrae is paying a juicy $2.63 to get over 30 touches.

Robert Rose Medal tip

The Robert Rose Medal is awarded to the best player on the ground when Collingwood clashes with the Western Bulldogs. We are tipping Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy at $7 to claim this award, largely because of his dominance over Dogs ruckman English the last few times they have met.

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs prediction 20/3/2020

Both teams split their pre-season games and it remains to be seen how each team will adapt to the shorter games and the uncertainty around the coronavirus. Surprisingly the Magpies have won their last two games against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, and it’s this fact and Grundy’s dominance over English that has convinced us they can get their 2020 season off to a positive start. Our final Western Bulldogs v Collingwood prediction is the Magpies by nine points.

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