2015 ANZ Championship – Round 3 Tips

Ben Carbonaro previews Round 3 of the 2015 ANZ Championship.

Previous Results of Ben’s tips

Rd 2: 2 units bet, gross return of 3.78 units, net profit of 1.78 units

2015 total: 5 units bet, gross return of 5.68 units, net profit of 0.68 units

2012-2015: 98 units bet, gross return of 111.22 units, net profit of 13.22 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 13%

 

Round 3 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday March 14, 7:18 PM Fever v Steel

Bookmakers’ line: Fever -5.5 to -6.5

Ben says: The Fever have opened the season with a bang, winning their first two games including a round one win away in Brisbane against Queensland Firebirds.Captain Ashleigh Brazill and new recruit Erena Mikaere are two architects of this great start that will continue against the Steel in Perth. This game will see the Fever defend the Challenge Trophy for a second time, but will head to Invercargill if the Steel win. Steel beat the Tactix last week, but the scoreboard wasn’t a true reflection of just how close that game was on court. Fever by 10

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Fever -5.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday March 15, 12:18 PM Swifts v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line: Swifts -4.5

Ben says: Away from home, the Swifts scored a hard fought win in New Zealand over the Magic last week and will be looking to again perform well for the fans in their first home game for 2015. Grand Finalists last year, the Firebirds have started the season with a win and a loss so far, so their form heading into this game is a bit hard to read. I believe this one will go down to the wire, with Swifts winning with a strong last quarter after an evenly matched first three quarters. Swifts by 4

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Sunday March 15, 1:48 PM Thunderbirds v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line: Thunderbirds -4.5

Ben says: Two losses to start the season is disappointing in anyone’s terms and that’s exactly what the Thunderbirds have done. Getting wins early in the season is paramount because having to win games late in the season to secure a finals spot and relying on how other games go can disjoint a team’s confidence. The Adelaide crowd are known as being one of the most passionate and knowledgeable netball crowds in Australia, they get to see their Thunderbirds for the first time in 2015 in what should be a closely contested game. Thunderbirds by 5

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Sunday March 15, 7:10 PM Magic v Vixens

Bookmakers’ line: Magic +5.5 to +6.5

Ben says: It’s the Vixens first away trip for season 2015 and they travel to Tauranga to face the Magic. While the Vixens have started their premiership defence in perfect fashion winning their first two games, but heading across to New Zealand is a completely different task. The Magic have won the past three games between the two teams but without Courtney Tairi (Achilies) in the midcourt and shooter Jo Harten unlikely to play due to a rib injury, I’m tipping the Vixens. Vixens by 11

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Vixens -5.5 at $1.88 (Sportsbet)

 

Monday March 16, 7:40 PM Tactix v Pulse

Bookmakers’ line: Tactix +4.5

Ben says: While the Tactix have shown quite a bit of improvement during the first two games of this season, I feel the Magic will came away with a win in this particular game. This is despite across competition history, Pulse just hold an upper hand with 8 wins and 6 losses to the Tactix’ 6 wins. The Pulse just went down to the Queensland Firebirds in a further reflection of how open this year’s ANZ Championship season has been early on. Pulse by 6

Recommended bet: Nil