2013 ANZ Championships – Round 4 Tips

The first of the bye-affected weeks sees us without two of the top three teams on the ladder for the upcoming weekend. Not that we’re expecting this to stop our guru tipster Ben Carbonaro, who made us all enough money to overlook the fact that Cliff screwed up the dates/ times for almost every match on last week’s schedule (yet again). Ben is back again to give us the lowdown on Round 4.

Results for Round 3 tips

Round 3: 3 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.70 units

2013 total: 7 units bet, 5 winners, return of 9.31 units (33% 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 4 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:

 

Round 4 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Sunday April 14, 11:40 AM Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever

Thunderbirds:  2-1 (fifth on ladder), 1-0 home

Fever:  2-1 (fourth on ladder), 0-1 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Thunderbirds haven't been able to find their groove yet and although they did return to form with a win over the Southern Steel last week, it's not enough to suggest a definite finals appearance. They have won two of their first three games, but the wins haven't been convincing so far in my opinion and while Fever have an identical record (2-1) they have plenty of confidence coming off a super win over defending premiers Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic. Fever by 6

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday April 14, 7:20 PM Central Pulse v Southern Steel

Pulse:  1-2 (seventh on ladder), 1-1 home

Steel:  1-2 (sixth on ladder), 1-1 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Continuing the significant improvement that they showed last year, the Pulse have won one game and been close to winning in the other two. They now have a reputation of being able to push teams and if they can do just that little bit more, wins will be easier to come by. The Steel finished towards the bottom last year, the injection of towering Jamaican import Jhaniele Fowler at goal shooter provides some hope of climbing back up. Pulse by 5

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday April 15, 7:40 PM Canterbury Tactix v Northern Mystics

Tactix:  0-3 (tenth on ladder), 0-2 home

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

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  It's so far been a case of much the same as last year, with the Tactix being competitive in the first quarter or first half before slipping away and struggling to be competitive. This is exactly what happened when they played Melbourne Vixens on Monday night and there's a strong chance it will happen again Mystics. Mystics are struggling to be competitive after losing key players, but they should be too good for the Tactix.  Mystics by 4

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday April 15, 7:40 PM NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds

Swifts:  1-2 (eighth on ladder), 1-0 home

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

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Swifts are on the rebound after two losses from their first free games, including a six-goal loss that was riddled by errors against Central Pulse. The Firebirds are one of two unbeaten teams setting the early pace at the top of the ladder and are in good form across court, especially with goal attack Natalie Medhurst providing the perfect foil for Jamaican import shooter Romelda Aiken. Aiken last week became the leading scorer in competition history. Firebirds by 8

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye week: Melbourne Vixens, Waikato/BOP Magic

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