ANZ Championships – Round 5 Tips

The Vixens stand alone at 4-0 with the Mystics and Thunderbirds leading the chasing pack. Meanwhile, the Magic and defending champion Firebirds look in a spot of bother, with a solitary victory between them to date. There are no such bothers when it comes to the tips of Three Feet Radio’s own Ben Carbonaro though – he continues to hold a significant lead over the bookies through the opening month of the competition.  Ben returns this week to preview Round 5.

 

Results for Round 4 tips

Round 4: 2 units bet, 1 winner, return of 1.80 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = -10%

2012 total:  11 units bet, 9 winners, return of 16.85 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = +53%

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 5 of the 2012 ANZ Championships:

 

Round 5 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Sunday April 29, 1:50 PM West Coast Fever v Adelaide Thunderbirds

Fever:  2-2 (fourth on ladder), 1-1 at home

Thunderbirds:  3-1 (second on ladder), 2-0 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  West Coast had a confidence boasting win in New Zealand last Sunday over the Southern Steel and may have only won two games, but they are proving just how much more competitive they are under former Australian coach Norma Plummer this season. While they will most likely start well against the Thunderbirds, the visitors will be looking to continue some good form after beating last year's runner up Northern Mystics in Auckland last week. Thunderbirds by 8

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday April 29, 7:20 PM Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds

Vixens:  4-0 (first on ladder), 1-0 at home

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

Bookmakers’ line:   TBC

Ben says:  The Vixens held on to win by a goal in the final seconds against Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic last Sunday and had to fight hard to win, but a different challenge faces them this week. While the Queensland Firebirds are defending premiers, they would be smarting at having won just one game during their early premiership defence and will come out firing against a Vixens team that has been particularly strong in defence led by captain Bianca Chatfield. Vixens by 6

Recommended bet:    TBC

 

Sunday April 29, 7:20 PM Central Pulse v Northern Mystics

Pulse:  2-2 (seventh on ladder), 2-0 at home

Mystics:  3-1 (third on ladder), 1-0 away

Bookmakers’ line:    TBC

Ben says:  Central Pulse are starting to show some good form and be a lot more competitive than in previous seasons; this is reflected in the fact that they already have two wins already this early in the season. The five goal win on Monday night over the Tactix was confidence boosting, but the Mystics are the best performed New Zealand-based team this season and will be too good for the Pulse. Mystics by 10

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday April 30, 7:40 PM Waikato/BOP Magic v Canterbury Tactix

Magic:  0-4 (tenth on ladder), 0-1 at home

Tactix:  1-3 (ninth on ladder), 0-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:   TBC

Ben says:  The Magic just lost to the Vixens in an absolute heart stopper before a huge crowd in Melbourne and it was the second heartbreaking loss in as many weeks after losing a Monday night game to the Swifts by two goals. They'll be looking to redeem themselves and finally get a win on the board after an indifferent start to the season and they have the cattle to do it. Meanwhile, the Tactix just went down to the Pulse and they will be no match for the Magic. Magic by 12

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye: NSW Swifts, Southern Steel

 

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