Adelaide and Gold Coast will both be on a massive high this week after taking down top four opposition last weekend, but now they must face off with a potential finals spot on the line. The Crows and Suns have had their ups and downs in 2023, but this Saturday blockbuster could well define where they end up in the pecking order come seasons end. We bring you our preview, best bet and value Same Game Multi below!
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AFL Round 21 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide vs Gold Coast
Saturday 2:10pm AEST, August 5th, Adelaide Oval
Just when Adelaide fans were starting to lose hope, the Crows came out and produced their best performance of the year to destroy Port Adelaide by 47 points in the Showdown. With four points and a percentage boost in the bag, Adelaide are now back in contention for a spot in the top eight, but like the Suns they must keep winning in order to secure finals qualification. Unfortunately, Saturday night’s dismantling of the Power wasn’t without a price to pay – Jordan Butts went down with a foot injury which will rule him out for the season, leaving the Crows very short in defence with Doedee and Murray also missing. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how Matthew Nicks tackles Gold Coast’s key forward combination of Ben King and Levi Casboult this weekend. Undoubtedly the coaching staff will be hoping that Adelaide’s refined midfield mix of Laird, Dawson and Crouch can get the ball moving forward more often than not.
Gold Coast supporters will also be buoyed by the events of last weekend that saw the Suns defeat Brisbane by 41 points in the Q Clash. It was a landmark win for the Suns who had previously failed to beat the Lions in nine attempts, and they celebrated as such. However, all eyes must now turn to beating the Crows if Gold Coast want to make their first ever finals appearance. Like Adelaide, the Suns seem to have found their ideal midfield mix at the right time, with Touk Miller returning to complement Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell. Furthermore, Ben King has hit his straps down forward, creating headaches for opposition defences. There is little news on the injury front, which is positive as there are only three listed injuries currently for GC. As such, I expect them to turn out a similar line-up this weekend with the hope of making it two wins on the trot.
This game should be an absolute corker, given the high stakes for both sides. The Suns have comfortably beaten Adelaide in the past two encounters between the teams, but both of those games were up in Queensland and the Crows have shown themselves to be a far better team at home this season. While Adelaide may struggle to replace the key defenders that are out with injury, I’m backing the midfielders and forwards, led by Taylor Walker, to get the job done and keep their finals hopes alive.
Adelaide 1-39
$2.10 (3 Units)
Same Game Multi
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Adelaide H2H – While the odds are shorter than I would like, I think Adelaide should win on home turf.
Ben King 2+ Goals – King kicked five goals last weekend, monstering Harris Andrews, and I can’t see an obvious opponent for him on Saturday. Back the big forward to punish Adelaide’s lack of tall defensive talent.
Ben Keays 2+ Goals – Since Matt Crouch has returned, Keays has well and truly lost his position in the Adelaide midfield, moving back to the half-forward role that he is often assigned. In this position, Keays is well and truly a goal threat, and he kicked two against the Suns earlier this year.
SGM Odds: $4 at BoomBet
