2013 ANZ Championship – Round 7 Tips

With the top six sides on the ANZ Championship ladder meeting each other across three matches, Round 7 may well have significant implications for the composition of the top four. With the best taking on the best over the course of this weekend, Ben Carbonaro previews a big week of matchups.

Results forRound 6 tips

Round 6:  1 unit bet, 1 winner, return of 1.85 units

2013 total:  11 units bet, 7 winners, return of 13.03 units (18% PoT)

 

Our 2011 introductory discussion of how netball line betting works and what to expect from this column

Once again this year, for the purposes of this weekly column, we will only recommend a bet where Ben’s opinion differs from that of bookmakers by at least 3.5 goals.

Here are Ben’s thoughts on Round 7 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:

Round 7 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Sunday May 5, 12:10 PM Queensland Firebirds v West Coast Fever

Firebirds:  4-1 (third on ladder), 1-1 home

Fever:  3-3 (fifth on ladder), 0-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Firebirds had a nail biting loss to Adelaide Thunderbirds last week, but will look to rebound against a Fever team that has traditionally had trouble winning away from home, even in Australia. Fever were competitive in patches in their history making home game at Perth Arena, but coming up against a Firebirds team with Romelda Aiken firing at goal shooter, Kim Ravaillion in the midcourt and Laura Geitz in defence will be hard to beat. Firebirds by 10

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 5, 2:10 PM Melbourne Vixens v Central Pulse

Vixens:  4-1 (second on ladder), 2-0 home

Pulse:  3-3 (sixth on ladder), 0-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Vixens reounded from a nail biting one-goal loss in round five with a a good start and strong win over West Coast Fever in Perth last week. With the return of goal shooter Karyn Howarth from injury, it adds more fire power to an already dangerous attack line for the Vixens. Pulse had a thrilling one-goal win over the defending premiers in Magic last week and although they have been playing some great netball, they will struggle to win at Hisense Arena come Sunday afternoon. Vixens by 7

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 5, 7:20 PM Northern Mystics v Canterbury Tactix

Mystics:  1-5 (ninth on ladder), 1-2 home

Tactix:  1-4 (tenth on ladder), 0-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Two key factors have contributed to the Mystics poor start to the season, injury and pregnancy. For a team that was in a Grand Final two years ago, they have shown little so far this season to suggest that finals netball is likely for another year. They face the Canterbury Tactix, a team that once again this year have been competitive and on their day can produce an upset, but not on a consistent basis. Mystics by 4

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday May 6, 7:40 PM Southern Steel v NSW Swifts

Steel:  2-3 (seventh on ladder), 1-1 home

Swifts:  1-4 (eighth on ladder), 0-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Steel led at every change in their win over the Mystics last week, but it wasn't unitl the second half were they dominated and play a great style of netball. Jamaican import shooter Jhaniele Fowler and Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick in defence had great games, if both of these players can repeat such form Steel will demolish the Swifts. The Swifts have been poor this season and haven't been able to play a consistent four quarters of netball without errors. Steel by 12

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday May 6, 7:10 PM Adelaide Thunderbirds v Waikato/BOP Magic

Thunderbirds:  5-1 (first on ladder), 0-1 home

Magic:  3-2 (fourth on ladder), 1-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Two one-goal wins in two weeks would be testing the nerve of Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson's team, but after taking a while to find their groove she would be happy with her team's netball finally coming together. The Thunderbirds are always strong at home at Netball SA Stadium, but it will be tough against a Magic team keen to redeem itself after a one-goal loss to Central Pulse. Thunderbirds by 2

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye week:  Nil

Thanks to Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo