Sportsbet Blog

Round 13 of season 2011 promises to be a rippa with a few big matchups. For all your footy tips, predictions, match previews and latest odds read on.

Round thirteen kicks off Friday night at Etihad Stadium in a must win match for the Bulldogs & Crows. Match of the round for me has got to be St Kilda taking on Geelong Saturday night at the MCG in a game where the cats can pull 2 games clear on top of the ladder as Colingwood has the bye.

See how the celebrity/experts have tipped round 13 here

Best Bet Of Round 13 for me is the Bulldogs by 40+ against Adelaide which is paying 2.50 at Sportingbet.

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Western Bulldogs V Adelaide Friday night at Etihad Stadium

Both team have been playing poorly this season but I think it is now or never for the Dogs. They could welcome back up to 5 first 22 players with Hall, Lake, Cooney, Gilbee & Moles all pushing for selection.

The Crows have been the most disappointing team in the competition over the last month and will be hurt by the loss of Kurt Tippet. With fellow tall forward Taylor Walker already missing this will leave a lot of responsibility on the Crows small forwards.

In what could turn into a shootout I expect the Dogs to get the better of the Crows easily.

Tip: Dogs by 52 points

Odds: Bulldogs 1.24 Crows 4.10

A good bet in this game could be to put a few dollars on the Dogs to be up by 25-36 at halftime which is paying 5.60

Hawthorn V Gold Coast Saturday at Aurora Stadium

The Hawks were pretty good last week against the Cats but could not post a single score in the last quarter and got overrun by the Cats. Jarryd Roughead is a huge loss for the Hawks but I don’t see that being much of a factor in this game at least.

If Gold Coast want to be in the game they can not let the Hawks get away to a fast start like they have with West Coast & the Kangaroos over the past 2 weeks. The Suns have shown they can match it with teams at time but need to be more consistent.

Expect Campbell Brown to get a lot of attention from his ex teammates and expect him to hand out a lot back. Hawks easily will win the game though.

Tip: Hawks by 78 points

Odds: Hawks 1.02 Suns 14.50

Expect the Hawks to get on the board with the first goal quite early. Between 1.01 and 2.00 minutes I think, thats paying $4.25 at Sportsbet

Essendon V North Melbourne Saturday at Etihad Stadium

This has the potential to be a great match with the Bombers fighting to keep their spot in the 8 and the Kangaroos pushing to keep their finals hopes alive.

After a great start to the season the Bombers have been flat over the last month and James Hird has had enough and will swing the axe at selection this week. Possible inclusions are Stanton, Lonergan, Hocking,  Reimers & Prismall.

The Kangaroos have been great over the past 2 weeks making sure Boomer Harvey celebrated his milestone games in style. The form of Daniel Wells has been All Australian like, the Bombers will need to stop the Roos midfield to win this game.

Tip: Bombers by 9 points

Odds: Essendon 1.65 North Melbourne 2.25

I think North will start fast but Essendon will keep them at bay after quarter time. The combination of Roos/Bombers/Bombers/Bombers leading at the changes is paying $10.00 and is worth looking at.

Brisbane V Richmond Saturday night at the Gabba

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown conceded this week that the 2011 season was gone and the Lions will now be looking to 2012. This gives them a good chance to get some experience in younger players but will give opposing sides a distinct advantage.

Richmond should be able to take advantage of this and get the win at the Gabba. Jack Riewoldt is ready to kick a bag and go back on top of the Coleman Medal list ahead of Buddy Franklin.

Tip: Tigers by 42 points

Odds: Lions 2.20 Tigers 1.66

Richmond by 40-59 points is paying $7.60 and is worth a look at if you have a few spare dollars.

St Kilda V Geelong Saturday night at the MCG

St Kilda could be starting to get a little bit of momentum up but find themselves up against the ladder leading Cats. The Saints will need all their stars to stand up and play huge games if they are to be a chance. Leigh Montagna should be ok to go for the Saints after a few weeks on the sidelines and will boost their midfield.

Geelong just keep finding a way to win, down 3 goals last week at 3 qtr time they took their game to another level against the Hawks and got the win in a tight game. I can’t see myself tipping against the Cats until they lose a game.

Tip: Cats by 22 points

Odds: Saints 3.90 Cats 1.26

First scoring play I think could be a Geelong goal to get them away early, $3.00 is a good payout for this.

Melbourne V Fremantle Sunday at the MCG

Both teams will be desperate for a win to prove they are Finals contenders. Melbourne were poor on the big stage against the Pies last week but will look to welcome back Marric, Dunn and Pettard for this clash.

Fremantles injury riddles year hit another hurdle last week as star on baller David Mundy went down and goal sneak Hayden Ballantyne pulling a hamstring. Fremantle should welcome back 2010 star recruit Michael Barlow for his first game for the Dockers since breaking his leg last year.

Freo have trouble winning at the MCG and I suggest this trend might continue against the Dees

Tip: Melbourne by 14 points

Odds: Melbourne 1.78 Fremantle 2.05

The Demons between 1 and 19 could be worth looking at paying $4.20

Carlton V Sydney Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Carlton are one of the hottest teams in the comp at the minute and I can’t see them dropping this one as they look to consolidate a top four spot. Judd and Murphy are both in Brownlow Medal winning form but it is the play of their small forwards that stands out to me as to why they have been so good this season.

Sydney need to win against a top 8 side to prove they belong in September and with a match against the Pies next week they have a tough few weeks ahead. John Longmire will be looking to senior stars Goodes, Bolton & O’Keefe to lead by example to give them a chance against Carlton but I can’t see them being able to get over the line.

Tip: Blues by 28 points

Odds: Blues 1.28 Swans 3.75

I expect the flood gates to open up after halftime with the Blues putting away the Swans in the third quarter. This is why I will be putting $10 on the 3rd quarter being the highest scoring of the game at $3.50

West Coast V Port Adelaide Sunday at Patersons Stadium

The Eagles keep going from strength to strength and will dominate the Power in Perth. LeCras was superb against Adelaide last week, Cox his dominant self and Glass reliable down back. Josh Kennedy could be in for another big haul against a week Port defence.

Coming off the bye is tough for the top teams let alone the bottom teams, throw in a trip to Perth against the in form Eagles and the Power have a very difficult task this week to try to snare the 4 points. They will welcome back captain Dom Cassisi but I can’t see them being too much trouble for West Coast.

Tip: Eagles by 48 points

Odds: Eagles 1.07 Power 8.50

West Coast to be leading by 25-36 at the halftime paying $4.70 stood out to me in this match

There are only three games on for the remaining of round thirteen but I don’t think it will be a non eventful weekend of footy.

Friday night sees long awaited grand final rematch of the Saints and the Cats also being 1v2 on the ladder.

Another great game will be  the Swans V the Pies on Saturday night. Can the Pies get their year back on track away from home?

Best bet of Round 13 (week 2)

This week I like Geelong to win between 1-39 points paying 2.22 at Sportsbet. Although the bookies are expecting a score blowout I think it may be closer than they think.

St Kilda V Geelong Friday Night at the MCG

Tip: Geelong

Odds: St Kilda 3.50 Geelong 1.38

Although the Cats look far too strong for St Kilda my prediction is a 2 or 3 goal winning margin to Geelong.

The Saints will close the game down and should work for most of the night but the potency of the cats will show through and get the win.

Keep an eye on Brendon Goddard. I think he will play a mixed roll throughout the match with both time up forward and down back.

Geelong are nearly unbackable with the short odds of 1.38 so add them with your other bets for a boost to your multi bets.

Sydney V Collingwood Saturday Night at ANZ Stadium

Tip: Collingeood

Odds: Sydney 2.36 Collingwood 1.72

The Pies are desperate for a win away from home with a few cracks showing in their game in the past few weeks.

The game will be won in the contest possessions and the Pies on paper match up far better then the Swans and should lead in this stat which more times than not lead to a win.

Darren Jolly has been stuck in a bit of average form lately but will likely have a big game for the Pies in the ruck playing against his old club for the first time.

The Pies should cover the even line of -10.5 points easily, so stick with that and take home the handy $2.00 odds.

Adelaide V Melbourne Sunday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide

Odds: Adelaide 1.65 Melbourne 2.48

If this match was in Melbourne I would be all over the Dee’s but being in SA I think their youth will struggle away from home.

Adelaide does have a few injury worries with Bock and Vince likely to play but not at 100%.

I’m tipping their other senior players will step up this week and keep the dreaded wooden spoon worries away, at least for now.

See week 2 of the spit round here

Although a short week, round 13′s split round has some interesting games that could shake up the top 8.

The game of this week is Hawthorn V Essendon on Friday night. It will be a massive test for the Hawks as they try to continue their 5 game winning streak.

Best Bet of Round Thirteen

I’ve been on a bit of a roll lately picking some winners with decent odds including the Saints by under 39 last week at $2.80, lets see if I can continue the good run.

This week I’m going with the Lions over the Tigers by 40+ points paying $3.35 at Sportsbet.

Hawthorn V Essendon Friday Night at the MCG

Tip: Hawthorn

Odds: Hawks 1.63 Bombers 2.54

Don’t discount the bombers on Friday night. I think they will bring it up to the Hawks in a fairly close game. Although my prediction is the Hawks will get the points, they may be getting a bit ahead of themselves so don’t bet heavily on this one.

I’m tipping the Hawks to win by under 39 points paying $2.30 at Sportsbet here

Carlton V Fremantle Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Carlton

Odds: Carlton 1.73 Freo 2.34

Freo were disappointing last week against a gallant St Kilda side over in the West. At times the Dockers looked lost so I think they will struggle in Melbourne against a quality side in the Blues.

Keep an eye on Judd, he is due for a big game after some average matches well below his standards.

Brisbane V Richmond Saturday night at the Gabba

Tip: Brisbane

Odds: Brisbane 1.46 Richmond 3.10

The bookies have given Richmond alot of respect giving them odds of 3.10 over at the Gabba. I’m tipping the Lions to get their year back on track and smash the Tigers.

Fev is now the lone hand up forward for the Lions for the next four weeks with Brown out injured. I expect this to encourage Fev to step up and show Jack Riewoldt how it is done.

Make sure to add them to your multi bets.

North Melbourne V Port Adelaide Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: North Melbourne

Odds: North Melbourne 1.42 Port 3.35

With a potential top 8 spot on the line if they get a win over Port I think the Kangaroos will win comfortably. The Roo’s have gone under the radar with good wins over the Lions and Blues. They have shown they have a classy defense to hold back some of the leagues best.

Port have struggled to play a full four quarters of football and after five straight losses and look all but gone.

If your looking to bet on this match I’m taking North at the $2.00 even line of 22.5 points. I think they will get the line easily early in the match.

West Coast V Western Bulldogs Sunday at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: West Coast 3.30 Bulldogs 1.41

The Bulldogs will be out to get a big win and boost their chances for a top 4 finish to the season.

All the negative press about John Worsfold will make the job all the more difficult for the Eagles who were embarrassed in a massive loss to bottom of the ladder Richmond last week.

My prediction is the Bulldogs to win but not in a blow out so it might be worth loading up on the Bulldogs to win by over 15 points paying a short but safe $1.65 at Sportsbet.

Round thirteens games have some great matchups but none more than the game of the round on Friday night against Essendon and Carlton. It should be a great match with both teams on six wins and six losses and the possibility for the winner to be in the top four. Another interesting game this week is the West Coast V Hawthorn game. The Eagles played well last time at Subiaco and if the Hawks can’t get a win here their season will be officially over.

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Sports Bet of the Round

This weeks bet of the round is  in a Carlton, Hawthorn, Collingwood and the Bulldogs in a multi bet. It will pay around $3 at Sportsbet who will also give you a $50 free bet on this weeks tip just for signing up with them here.

Essendon V Carlton Friday Night at the MCG

Tip: Carlton

Carlton on paper should have a win here, they have many more experienced players with the likes of Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola that should get them over the line. But Essendon have had the wood over the Blues in recent times which will make for a great match. Watch out for Aaron Joseph who is this weeks NAB rising star. He has kept some big names quiet in the last few weeks and should line up on Alwyn Davey on Friday which will be another big test for him.

Collingwood V Fremantle Saturday at the MCG

Tip: Collingwood

Freo showed that they have the skills to match it with the big boys with a gallant effort against Geelong last week in a match they could well have won. Unfortunately I don’t think they will be able to reproduce the effort this week at the MCG against the Pies. Collingwood showed that they are a true top four side last week finishing well in a close game with the Swans and should be able to overcome any attack the Dockers bring to the game. Alan Didak is the key to the Pies winning after a great 34 possessions and two goals last weekend.

Adelaide V Sydney Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide

Adelaide are a underestimated team and I have a prediction that they will have a strong finish to the season and will shake thinks up come the finals. They should get a pretty easy win at their home AAMI stadium. Simon Goodwin has given himself a 50/50 chance of playing this weekend and if the Crows captain does it will cause massive headaches for Sydney coach Paul Roos as he is very difficult to shut down when in form. The Crows by 30+

West Coast V Hawthorn Saturday night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Hawthorn

This game could be D-Day for the Hawks if they can’t get a win here. We are all waiting for them to return to last years form but every week they fail to fully impress. Luckily for Hawthorn key ruckman Dean Cox is suffering a groin injury  and is unlikely to line up for the Eagles. If West Coast can reproduce the good form when they played Geelong a couple of weeks ago in Perth it may make for a very close game. If your looking to put a bet on this game Sportsbet have the Hawks to win  between 1-39 points paying $2.25 which might be worth a look at. Sportsbet will also give you a $50 free bet on this when making a new account here.

Brisbane V Melbourne Saturday night at the Gabba

Tip: Brisbane

Melbourne will struggle to get a winning score in Brisbane. They have shown some signs of light but they are still a few years away from stringing consecutive wins together. James Frawley (the nephew of former St Kilda captain Danny Frawley) has stepped up this year and looks to be a great pickup for Melbourne with some great efforts down back in the last couple of weeks. He will have his work cut out for him this weekend against the Brisbane forward line.

Geelong V Port Adelaide Sunday at Skilled Stadium

Tip: Geelong

Geelong can chalk up another win before they walk out on the ground on Sunday. They play Skilled Stadium very well and I suspect the game over by half time. Sportsbet agree and have set Geelong at a short $1.60 to win by over 40+. Cameron Mooney will be hoping to get his mojo back in time for the massive game against the Saints next week after only managing two points last week in a dismal performance.

North Melbourne V Western Bulldogs Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Western Bulldogs

The Doggies are looking good and will have another decent win over an “off the track” North Melbourne on Sunday. Caretaker coach Darren Crocker may have Brent “Boomer” Harvey back for the game which will add some much needed depth but it wont be enough to stop the speed of the Dogs running forward. Bulldog’s Will Minson will be out to have another great game after 23 possessions and three goals against Port last week. I think the Bulldogs here to win by 40+ points is the best bet for the game, Sportsbet have it paying $2.05.

St Kilda V Richmond Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

The Saints wont let the Tigers ruin what will be a great game next week against Geelong, with hopefully both teams going into the the big game undefeated. Nick Riewoldt will be out to show his cousin Jack Riewoldt how its done after his five goal haul last week in a man of the match performance. The St Kilda backline will need to keep a close eye on Tiger Mitch Morton after also kicking five in last weeks game.The Saints had their first true scare against Carlton but showed that they had the professional mindset to keep it together and eventually scrape a win together. They would have learnt alot from the game and will know how to get themselves out of trouble when a close game comes up again.