2013 ANZ Championships – Round 8 Tips

The Thunderbirds, Vixens and Firebirds may have broken away from the pack and made top spot on the ladder a race in three, but the battle for the coveted fourth spot in the finals series is still well and truly open, with the next five teams separated by only one win at this stage. Ben Carbonaro continued his strong tipping form in Round 7, but can he repeat the dose this weekend?

Results for Round 7 tips

Round 7:  3 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.74 units

2013 total:  14 units bet, 9 winners, return of 16.77 units (20% 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 8 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:

Round 8 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Saturday May 11, 4:20 PM Canterbury Tactix v Queensland Firebirds

Tactix:  2-4 (eighth on ladder), 1-2 home

Firebirds:  5-1 (third on ladder), 3-0 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Queensland are playing some very polished netball at the moment and despite missing wing attack Chelsea Pitman with injury, youngster Nicola Gray filled the void perfectly against the West Coast Fever. They will be too good for a Tactix team that although they had an upset win last week, will be outclassed. Firebirds by 20
Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 12, 12:10 PM NSW Swifts v Melbourne Vixens

Swifts:  1-5 (ninth on ladder), 1-1 home

Vixens:  5-1 (second on ladder), 2-1 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Vixens are in strong form at the moment, playing some strong netball and in particular their defensive end are really something which can be evidenced by how they held Central Pulse to just 30 goals last week. Swifts have played good netball in patches and while their loss to the Steel last week featured some good signs, their inconsistency will count against them this week.Vixens by 10

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 12, 12:10 PM West Coast Fever v Adelaide Thunderbirds

Fever:  3-4 (sixth on ladder), 3-1 home

Thunderbirds:  6-1 (first on ladder), 2-1 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  While the Fever are strong at home, facing a strong and in from Thunderbirds team will be tough. An element of unpredictability can be applied to the the Fever team because one week they can play like superstars but then the next week play poorly. Despite this element, I still think that Thunderbirds goal keeper Sharni Layton will back up last week's super game where she had Irene van Dyk benched with another stellar performance in conjunction with goal defence Rebecca Bulley. Thunderbirds by 11

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 12, 7:20 PM Northern Mystics v Southern Steel

Mystics:  1-6 (tenth on ladder), 1-3 home

Steel:  3-3 (fifth on ladder), 1-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Mystics have simply not been able to get their season going and while they have played some good netball in patches, they have lacked consistency. Steel are firming as a genuine finals dark horse, especially with the likes of  defensive duo Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and Rachel Rasmussen in defence gelling extremely well.Import shooter Jhaniele Fowler shot 59 out of Steel's 60 goals last week and her addition to the Steel has add some much needed spark in attack. Steel by 6

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday May 13, 7:40 PM v Waikato/BOP Magic v Central Pulse

Magic:  3-3 (fourth on ladder), 2-0 home

Pulse:  3-4 (seventh on ladder), 0-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Many believed the premiership hangover theory had been thrown out the winner earlier this season, but this has since changed. The Magic have won lost three games this season including last week against an Adelaide Thunderbirds team that is quietly going about their business. Pulse beat the Magic last time in a thriller, but the Magic should bounce back this week. Magic by 5

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye week:  Nil

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