2014 ANZ Championships – Round 13 Tips

With only two rounds left before the finals of the 2014 ANZ Championship, only one win separating the first (Vixens) and fifth (Pulse) placed sides. Adding further spice to the weekend of action, second plays third and fourth squares off against fifth. Ben Carbonaro previews Round 13.

Results

Round 12: 1 unit bet, gross return of 1.90 units, net profit of 0.90 units

2014: 28 units bet, gross return of 30.39 units, net profit of 2.39 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 9%

2012-2014: 87 units bet, gross return of 97.98 units, net profit of 10.98 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 13%

 

Round 13 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday May 24, 2:18 PM  Firebirds v Pulse

Bookmakers’ line:  Firebirds -6.5

Ben says: Back after a bye, the Firebirds drive up the highway to play on the Gold Coast in a game that will more than likely decide who claims fourth spot ahead of finals. Last time they played, the Firebirds clocked up an important away win in Adelaide over the Thunderbirds as they withstood a huge fightback. The Pulse just won over Mystics in a game where they started poorly before being able to hold on for a win. While New Zealand based teams have been able to win on Australian soil after struggling to do so for several seasons, this will count against the Pulse and Firebirds will have a strong win to claim fourth spot. Firebirds by 11

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Firebirds -6.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday May 25, 11:48 AM  Thunderbirds v Vixens

Bookmakers’ line:  Thunderbirds +8.5

Ben says: In a game that had been billed as a blockbuster before this season had even started, the Thunderbirds almost pulled off a huge upset against a finals bound Swifts team before a record crowd of 10,118 at Allphones Arena. Thunderbirds were back level with six minutes left, but were not able to get what would have been a nice win away from home. Before a huge crowd at Hisense Arena, the Vixens accounted for a Fever team that were once again inconsistent as they struggled to string together four good quarters of netball. At home in Adelaide, the Thunderbirds have historically been strong at home, but overall the Vixens have won 10 of the 16 clashes against them. They have won the last two against the Vixens stretching back to round five last year, but the Vixens will continue to power on with a premiership in their sights. Vixens by 8

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday May 25, 2:18 PM  Swifts v Magic

Bookmakers’ line:  Swifts -6.5

Ben says: With Swifts pushing for a top two spot, this game shapes as an important one for them against a Magic team that has pinpointed this one as a crucial one with one round of regular season play remaining. At home in front of a huge crowd, the Swifts held on to beat the Thunderbirds but not without a scare. The Magic made a few stumbles but their win over the Tactix was a strong one as they dominated the second half. This game sees Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald face the side she coached from 2008-11 for the first time, but her trip back to her hometown of Sydney will not be a successful as the Swifts should make it five wins in a row to possibly sew up second spot. Swifts by 12

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Swifts -6.5 at $1.88 (Sportsbet)

 

Sunday May 25, 7:20 PM  Steel v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line:  Steel -9.5

Ben says: For much of the season, the Steel’s form has been like a yo-yo and extremely hard to read but this game against the Tactix could end up extremely one sided. The Steel lead the head to head and are fresh coming off a bye, but Tactix will be looking to play a consistent game of netball after looking decent in patches early in their loss to the Magic in Tauranga last Monday night. With the last two games of the season at home, the Steel will be looking to win this one as next week is against a formidable Vixens team.  Steel by 15

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Steel -9.5 at $1.88 (Sportsbet)

 

Monday May 26, 7:40 PM  Mystics v Fever

Bookmakers’ line:  Mystics +1.5

Ben says: Both the Mystics and Fever have had similar seasons where they’ve had star players missing due to injury mixed with inconsistent form. The Mystics came within a whisker of defeating serious finals contender Pulse but a poor final quarter cost them. In Melbourne, the Fever started well against the Vixens only to once again fall away and despite something of a third quarter fightback it wasn’t enough to get a win away from Perth. These two teams are evenly matched, but the Mystics should just win at home. Mystics by 4

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Mystics +1.5 at $1.88 (Sportsbet)