After both the Lions and Blues have stumbled out of the top four in recent weeks, the clash between the two sides on Sunday has quickly become one of the best in the Round 21 slate of the AFL. We have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL betting tips page for updates for every game across the Round 21 weekend.
Brisbane vs Carlton Betting Tips
Gabba, Sunday 7th August, 3.20pm (AEST)
Brisbane
Injuries: Tom Berry, Carter Michael (Out) Daniel Rich, Brandon Starcevich, Zac Bailey, Jarrod Berry (Test)
The Lions could get a big influx of talent back in the line-up this week with Daniel Rich, Brandon Starcevic and Jarrod Berry all needing to pass fitness tests to play on Sunday.
The Lions had a fantastic opportunity to to cement a spot in the top four on the weekend when they led the Tigers by over 40 points half way through the 2nd quarter of their Round 20 matchup. They went on to allow 10 goals to just three in the 2nd half and squandered the lead to fall out of the top four.
The Lions currently sit outside of the top four on percentage alone and if they want to reclaim their place, they’ll likely need to win at least two of their three remaining games against the Blues, Saints and Demons.
Carlton
Injuries: Zac Williams, Liam Stocker, Nic Newman, Matt Kennedy, George Hewett, Corey Durdin, Jordan Boyd, Oscar McDonald, Luke Parks, Sam Phils (Out)
The Blues still have a very extensive injury list with some key players on the sidelines. Matt Kennedy went down with a concussion on the weekend and will miss two weeks while best 22 players Williams, Hewett and Newman remain out.
Like the Lions, the Blues have faltered at the won time of the season, losing three of their last five games to fall to 7th on the ladder. They are just six points clear in the top eight at the moment, and with games against the Lions, Demons and Magpies to come, a spot in the finals certainly isn’t guaranteed.
The one positive for the Blues at the moment is their spine remains injury free with the return of Jacob Weitering. Their two key forwards as well as Weitering, McGovern and Docherty down back have looked ominous for the Blues.
Match Prediction
The Lions looked really good for the vast majority of the game against the Tigers on the weekend until a quarter and a bit of pure madness saw them squander the lead. It’s much more than can be said for the Blues, who looked pretty average throughout their loss to the Crows and will now face tough back to back road trips to Adelaide followed by Brisbane this weekend.
I think the Lions bounce back at home here and am confident to take them at the 14.5 point line. They have been a high scoring team throughout the year, scoring more points per game than any other team. I think they win this one comfortably against a Blues side that has scored just 66.6 points per game over their last three.
Brisbane -14.5
$2.00 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
Two of the midfielders playing in this game have been monster accumulators this season in Walsh and Cripps, ranking 3rd and 5th in disposals per game this season. Walsh had a 40 possession game on the weekend against the Blues in a loss and Neale head one earlier in the season. I like the relative odds on either one to get 40+, which sit at around $3.05.
Neale or Cripps 40+ Disposals ($3.05 at Ladbrokes)
I like the unders in this game. As we mentioned above, the Blues have had real issues scoring lately, averaging just 66.6 points in their last three. Just one of the last four games between these two has gone over the 176.5 point mark.
Under 176.5 ($1.88 at Ladbrokes)
