Sport

AFL Round 1 Betting Tips

Thursday 19/3/20

7:25pm Richmond Tigers vs. Carlton Blues @ MCG

The Richmond Tigers look set to open their 2020 campaign with a win over the Carlton Blues. Richmond typically starts their season well, and the same can’t be said for the Blues.

We’re not surprised to see the Tigers open as $1.30 favourites, and that looks like a good price for multibet players. The current line is 22.5, which might seem like a high number to cover in Round 1, but Richmond has the firepower to do so.

Take Richmond to cover the spread, but win the game 1-39, which pays $2.16. We see Richmond winning by around 30 points, which comfortably cashes all options.

Friday 20/3/19

7:50pm Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood Magpies @ Marvel Stadium

We expect big things from the Magpies this season, so we’re happy to take them in Round 1. Collingwood has been a good bet for punters over the last two seasons, and this season should be no different.

The Western Bulldogs have also been a good bet for underdog backers, but Collingwood might have their measure this time around. The Magpies are a good bet at $1.77 and they should have no problem covering the –2.5 spread.

It should be a close game, so in the winning margin markets, entertain the Magpies 1-39 at $2.46.

Saturday 21/3/19

1:45pm Essendon Bombers vs. Fremantle Dockers @ Marvel Stadium

It could be a big season for the Bombers and kicking off against the Dockers could give them momentum in the early stages. Essendon were largely a surprise package last season, and improvement is expected for the next few years.

Fremantle hasn’t been a good bet recently, which is why they’re outsiders for this game. We suggest taking Essendon in the head-to-head and points spread markets. The current line is 15.5 and that could be covered by halftime.

We don’t mind the option of backing both 1-39 ($2.26) and 40+ ($3.60). If Essendon, you’re guaranteed a profit, and there’s plenty to like about that.

4:35pm Adelaide Crows vs. Sydney Swans @ Adelaide Oval

For many seasons, backing the Adelaide Crows at home was a given. However, after a downward turn last season, there is some trepidation in 2020.

However, wanting to get their season up and running early, the Adelaide Crows could come out swinging at Adelaide Oval. It’s a closely-framed market, with the Crows edging favouritism at $1.70, and that looks the best bet.

It will be a tight contest, but the line of 5.5 isn’t much for Adelaide to cover. It’s only a one-goal difference and they could pull it off in dramatic fashion.

The Crows 1-39 winning margin bet looks the way to go.

7:25pm Gold Coast Suns vs. Port Adelaide Power @ Metricon Stadium

Will it be another long season for the Suns? Or, will they cause a few upsets in the opening rounds to put fear into their opposition’s eyes?

We’re going with the former, which should see Port Adelaide take this game comfortably. Playing away from home is never easy for the Power, but that doesn’t have as much impact now as it did in seasons gone by.

The $1.47 h2h line is worth taking and they should cover the spread of –16.5. In fact, they could put up a big number on the Suns, so the 40+ at $3.50 is a good bet for value punters.

7:25pm GSW Giants vs. Geelong Cats @ GIANTS Stadium

Money has come for the Cats throughout the week but we’re sticking with the Giants. They’re coming off a big 2019 and we’re expecting that form to continue through to 2020.

The Geelong Cats are always a tough opponent, and there’s no doubting their ability to play well in the opening rounds. However, the Giants are a team on the rise and not only are we picking them to win at $1.60, but also cover the –10.5 spread.

There shouldn’t be 40 points separating these teams, so take GWS 1-39 at $2.28.

Sunday 22/3/19

1:10pm North Melbourne Kangaroos vs. St Kilda Saints @ Marvel Stadium

It’s the closest-framed market of Round 1, which sees the Saints narrow favourites over the Kangaroos. Both teams have been tough to follow over the last few seasons, but this could be a breakthrough year for North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos could be a value bet in the early stages of this season, so we’re taking them to win at $2. It’s a fair price to win their opening game and they could catch the Saints by surprise.

They don’t have a huge win in store, so look at the 1-39 margin of victory as the best value bet at $2.68.

3:20pm Hawthorn Hawks vs. Brisbane Lions @ MCG

The Brisbane Lions were tough to beat last season and that should continue to this season. They played a more exciting brand of football, which returned positive results.

Playing Hawthorn at home is never an easy task, but we believe Brisbane is the better team in 2020. They could get off to a big lead in the opening stanza and kick away with it late.

The h2h line of $1.77 looks good and they should have no problem covering the –3.5 spread. The 40+ is a chance, albeit slim, so we’d opt for the 1-39 winning margin spread.

6:20pm West Coast Eagles vs. Melbourne Demons @ Optus Stadium

The West Coast Eagles open their season at home against the Melbourne Demons, which were the 2019 disappointment. The Demons were in the top five in preseason betting, but failed to flatter.

That form could continue to this season and the Eagles could jump on them in Round 1. The line of 22.5 points reflects that and the Eagles are a fantastic chance of covering.

If the Demons don’t turn up with the correct mindset, the 40+ for Eagles at $2.85 looks a live chance.

*All PlayUp odds quoted accurate at 18/3/2020, check www.playup.com.au for all the latest odds. This article was written by Daryl from GoBet.com.au – where you can find the latest sports betting and horse racing tips, and bookmaker reviews including PlayUp!

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