Sportsbet Blog

Round 3 promises to be another great round of footy starting Friday night at the MCG between traditional rivals and 1st vs 2nd, Collingwood vs Carlton and concluding Sunday evening at Etihad with another blockbuster between the Saints and Bombers.

Round three looks to have a few blowouts on the cards also with some predicted top 8 sides taking on some tipped bottom 4 sides.

Best Bet of Round 3

My best bet this week is to take Hawthorn by 40+ points at 2.70. With the Tigers defense in tatters after injuries and suspensions and the Hawks having 42 scoring shots last week expect this week to be much of the same.

Collingwood v Carlton Friday night at the MCG

Tip: Collingwood  by 38 points

Odds: Collingwood 1.28  Carlton 3.75

Collingwood will unveil their 2010 premiership flag at the MCG Friday night in front of an expected crowd of more than 80,000 at the G.

Carlton go into the game sitting in 2nd spot on the ladder, only behind the magpies on percentage. Expect them to be outclassed by the pies Friday night who will be bolstered by the return of skipper Nick Maxwell.

Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Bulldogs by 66 points

Odds: Bulldogs 1.01  Gold Coast 17.00

The Bulldogs got there first win against the Lions last week and should easily make that 2 in a row against the AFL newcomers.

Gold Coast were OK after half time last week but I expect it to be another 6 to 8 weeks before they will be competitive against other AFL sides. Bulldogs easily for me.

Adelaide v Fremantle Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide by 15 points

Odds: Adelaide 1.52  Fremantle 2.55

After a disappointing loss to the Cats in Perth last week Fremantle will be looking to bounce back against the Crows who had the bye last week.

Adelaide’s ever-growing injury list is a concern but big man Kurt Tippet is a chance to play and will be welcome in the forward line after the loss of 2009 leading goal kicker Jason Porplyzia for 4 – 6 months with a shoulder injury.

The Crows will benefit from a rest after just one round and their home crowd should see them sneak over the line in a close one.

Richmond v Hawthorn Saturday night at the MCG

Tip: Hawks by 47 points

Odds: Richmond 3.75  Hawks 1.28

Richmond surprised a lot of people last week drawing with the Saints even without spearhead Jack Reiwoldt after he left the ground with concussion in the 1st qtr.

The Hawks could have blown Melbourne away by over 100 points had they kicked straight in Round 2. I expect the Hawks to have to many answers up forward for the Tigers who will be missing tall defenders Rance & McGuane through suspension. Look for a big bag between Franklin & Roughead.

West Coast v Sydney Saturday night at Patersons Stadium

Tip: Swans by 7 points

Odds: West Coast 1.91  Sydney 1.91

These 2 teams usually put on a close match and looking at the odds this week many expect this to be the same. The Eagles have had a great start to the season with 2 wins but will miss Vice Captain Beau Waters for 10 weeks with an elbow injury.

The swans didn’t give up all day against Essendon and snatched the points late. I expect the experience and form of leaders Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes to get Sydney over the line just.

Melbourne v Brisbane Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Melbourne by 48 points

Odds: Melbourne 1.18  Brisbane 5.00

Melbourne need to bounce back from a very disappointing second half fade out against the Hawks and at the moment there is no better team to take on when you need a win than the Lions.

Traveling to Melbourne twice in a row will not make Michael Voss too happy but I expect the Lions to head back up to Brisbane with their tales between their legs for a second week in a row.

Geelong v Port Adelaide Sunday at Skilled Stadium

Tip: Geelong by 60 points

Odds: Geelong  1.09 Port Adelaide 7.60

The cats have shown they don’t need Gary Ablett with 2 superb wins early in the season. They are at Skilled Stadium for the first time this year where traveling sides find it very difficult to win.

Port will be without captain Dom Cassisi for 8 weeks which will not help their cause. With the cats set to regain Selwood, Mooney & Scarlett expect them to cruise to victory in this one to go 3-0.

St Kilda v Essendon Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Saints by 12 points

Odds: St Kilda 1.82  Essendon 2.00

The match of the round for me. The Saints desperately need a win in Nick Reiwoldt’s 200th and need to find a way to win for the rest of the season without superstar Lenny Hayes.

The bombers come back to earth last week after not being able to put away Sydney and paying the price in the end. Essendon have had the edge over the Saints of late winning the last 3 meetings, a streak I think will come to an end this week narrowly.

*See Round 3 2011 Tips Here

Round 3 is setup to be one of the hardest rounds for AFL footy tips with numerous matches with level or near level odds and some potential interstate upsets.

The game of the round three would have to go to the Bulldogs V Hawthorn. Both teams have started the season fairly well and a win here will show they are the real deal in 2010.

Best Bet of Round 3

I like Geelong to beat Freo between 1-39 points this week paying 2.25 with Sportsbet.

St Kilda V  Collingwood Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: St Kilda 1.50 Collingwood 2.60

The Saints are going along nicely and would be hard to tip against this week. They are a well drilled side and at the moment cant do anything wrong. Simon Prestigiacomo is a 50/50 chance to play for the Pies and would help hold the saints forward line which thrashed North Melbourne last week.

North Melbourne V  West Coast Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: North Melbourne

Odds: North Melbourne 1.91 West Coast 1.91

Although Sportsbet can’t split them in the odds, my prediction is North to bounce back from the 104 point loss handed to them by the Saints. Look out for “Boomer” Harvey who only could rack up 5 possessions last week, he will be keen for a good game this time round for North and could be wise to add him to your Dream Team this week.

Port Adelaide V Brisbane Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Brisbane

Odds: Brisbane 1.91 Port Adelaide 1.91

Although Port have looked in good form lately and they are playing at home I can step away from Brown and his side kick Fev up forward. Brisbane have a number of new faces at the club but they are playing like they have been together for many years. I predict Brisbane to have a good chance to win by over 40 points this weekend which is paying 6.50 at Sportsbet. I wouldn’t put my house on it but its well worth a bet.

Sydney V Richmond Saturday Night at the SCG

Tip: Sydney

Odds: Sydney 1.10 Richmond 7.00

the Swans loves the SCG and will demolish the Tigers on Saturday night. The only value bet for this game is the First Scoring play bets for each quarter. Stick to a Sydney goal and point (3.20 and 3.40) and you should be right. Keep an eye on round 2 Rising Star nominee Dan Hannebery, with 23 touches last week he will be out to repeat the performance.

Carlton V  Essendon  Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Carlton

Odds: Carlton 1.55 Essendon 2.50

Carlton don’t have a good record against Essendon of late losing the last five games to them dating back to 2007. But this time around I think Carlton will be able to slow down the blistering run of the Dons through the middle and should end Essendon’s winning streak. The key to the game will be defender and fill-in captain Michael Jamison, if he can cut off just a hand full of defensive 50 entries it will go a long way to the Blues winning.  Congrats to 23 year old Eddie Betts will play his 100 game for the Blues and is in career best form.

Melbourne V Adelaide Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Adelaide

Odds: Melbourne 2.55 Adelaide 1.52

Adelaide have gotten of to a shocker this season still without a win after 2 win-able matches. They should have no problem getting over Melbourne although Melbourne did show that they are on the improve and should surprise a few clubs this year. Nathan van Berlo should be right to rejoin the Crows this weekend and skipper and match winner Simon Goodwin will need to go through a fitness test later in the week before he can put his hand up for selection after he suffered a corked knee last week.

Western Bulldogs V Hawthorn Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.52 Hawthorn 2.55

The match of round 3 should be a telling tale for these two clubs and could shape the rest of their seasons. The Bulldogs looked a little flat footed against their big win over the Tigers last week. They will need to return back to their regular high class game to beat the Hawks who narrowly went down to Geelong last week in a grueling clash where Hawk Michael Osborne was suspended for 1 match.

With the 6 day break and injuries to Jordan Lewis (50/50 chance) and Rhan Hooper I’m tipping the Bulldogs to run over them in the 2nd half.

Fremantle V  Geelong Sunday Afternoon at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Fremantle 2.32 Geelong 1.62

I wont write off the Dockers in this game as they have on many occasions created upsets ruining good multi bets along the way. I wont be tipping them though. The Cats aren’t at 100% but they still look silky smooth and will put the pressure onto the Dockers early and should win the match through the midfield. Geelong will be without key players on both sides of the ground in Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney which will be interesting how much they might missed.

Just keep Geelong out of the Multies this weekend. There’s nothing worse than a Sunday night Multi failure.

The 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season is really beginning to heat up now as we move in to round 3. So far we have seen Gold Coast United and Sydney FC win both of their opening games and both teams are looking quite confident and playing some great football.

Personally, I am most interested in Friday nights’ soccer game between Adelaide United and Gold Coast United. Can the in-form Gold Coast United defeat the 2008/09 runners-up is the question that I would like to see answered.

So far, Perth Glory and North Queensland have not taken home any points from the first two games and will be looking to do so this round. The last thing that they want to do is fall behind so early in the season.

Shane Smeltz of Gold Coast United has been named as Player of the Week for round 2 after scoring 4 goals in the Gold Coast’s 5-0 thrashing of North Queensland. Smeltz is also leading the goal scoring by 3 goals with second place currently being held by four players with 2 goals.

Adama Traore is being touted as the player to watch as the left sided full back played stunningly in his debut for Gold Coast United last week. Electrifying is the term being used to describe the Ivorian full back.

Centrebet is the place to go for all your soccer bets. They have markets open for first goal scorer and on some markets how many red cards will be handed out in the game. Currently they have an offer going that doubles your first deposit up to a massive $200. Check their site out for more info and for the latest A-League odds.

My tips for round three are as follows.

Friday 21^st August @ 7.30pm

Adelaide United FC vs. Gold Coast United

Friday night will see Adelaide United FC host Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide. Set to be a close match between the in-form side and the 2008/09 aleague runners up. If this game sees a winner then I would pick Gold Coast, however with such closely matched sides I can only see a draw.

My Prediction – Draw with odds of $2.45 at CentreBet.com.au. Final Score 1-1

Saturday 22^nd August @ 3pm

Central Coast Mariners FC vs. Sydney FC

Saturday afternoon is bound to show us a close match between the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC. The match will kick off at 3pm local time at the Bluetongue Stadium on the Central Coast.

My Tip – Draw ($2.65 @ CentreBet.com.au). Final Score 2-2.

Saturday 22^nd August @ 5pm

North Queensland Fury vs. Melbourne Victory FC

The Melbourne Victory will be the more likely winner in this match-up, but even though they are the better side, I believe a draw is on the cards. The match will be played at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

My Tip – Draw ($1.83 @ CentreBet.com.au). Final Score 1-1.

Sunday 23^rd August @ 3pm

Brisbane Roar FC vs. Wellington Phoenix FC

Brisbane is the obvious pick for me here. They are a much higher quality outfit in comparison to Wellington Phoenix and should take an easy win at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

My Tip – Brisbane Roar ($1.73 @ CentreBet.com.au) by 3 goals. Score 4-1.

Sunday 23^rd August @ 3pm

Perth Glory FC vs. Newcastle Jets FC

The final match of round three will see Perth Glory take on the Newcastle Jets at the Members Equity Stadium in Perth. Starting at 3pm on Sunday, it is my belief that the Perth Glory will take the win.

My Tip – Perth Glory ($2.05 @ CentreBet.com.au) by 1 goal. Final Score 2-1.