2014 ANZ Championship – Round 12 Tips

Ben Carbonaro previews Round 12 of 2014 ANZ Championship action, with only one win separating the first and fifth-placed sides as we rapidly approach the finals series.

Results

Round 11: 3 units bet, gross return of 3.80 units, net profit of 0.80 units

2014: 27 units bet, gross return of 28.49 units, net profit of 1.49 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 6%

2012-2014: 86 units bet, gross return of 96.08 units, net profit of 10.08 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 12%

 

Round 12 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Sunday May 11, 12:18 PM  Vixens v Fever

Bookmakers’ line:  Vixens -8.5

Ben says: Fresh and confident coming off a bye, the Vixens went down to the Swifts by four goals in a big upset. This week they face a Fever team that once again started well on Monday night against the Swifts before a bad quarter or two cost them dearly. As this is the last home game for the Vixens, they will be wanting to put on a solid display for their passionate fans at Hisense Arena and will be too good against a Fever line up missing defender Chanel Gomes. Gomes will miss the next two games due to a hip complaint and has been replaced by 17 year-old defender Annika Lee-Jones and Eboni Beckford-Chambers has only just returned to Australia after being at home in England this week due to a family death. Vixens by 15

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Vixens -8.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday May 18, 2:18 PM  Swifts v Thunderbirds

Bookmakers’ line:  Swifts -6.5

Ben says: The ANZ Championship moves to All Phones Arena for what has been marketed all season as blockbuster of sorts, but the Thunderbirds’ indifferent season has taken a bit of shine off this game. Swifts are coming off a successful trip to Perth after overcoming the  Fever on Monday night, while Thunderbirds put up a genuine fight against the Firebirds, only to go down. A huge crowd of 8,021 watched the same game at the same venue last year, but Netball NSW has been calling on everyone to try to break the all-time ANZ Championship crowd figure of 8,509 held by the Vixens. Swifts will just get up in this game as Thunderbirds have started to hit some form, but at the wrong time of the season. Swifts by 6

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday May 18, 6:48 PM  Pulse v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line:  Pulse -7.5

Ben says: Coming off an eight goal win over the Tactix that featured some controlled and determined netball, the Pulse face the Mystics in their last home game of the season and will be looking to again play well in a bid to further increase their finals chances as they currently sit in fifth just outside the top four breathing down the Firebirds neck. Mystics are back on deck after a bye and while things have started to come together in the second half of this season, it’s been too late for them to be a genuine finals threat and they will just go down to the Pulse. Pulse by 8

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Monday May 12, 7:40 PM  Magic v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line:  Magic -13.5

Ben says: Despite being the best performed New Zealand based team, the Magic haven’t been immune to some upset losses. One of those happened last Monday night against the Steel, Magic started well but what let them down was their inability to score off their own centre passes regularly. The Tactix just went down to the Pulse in what was a whistle dominated match where they had their chances but an inability to convert turnovers cost them. They have yet to beat the Magic in 13 previous matches and this will continue as they will go down against a Magic team looking ahead to finals netball. Magic by 11

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Bye: Firebirds, Steel