2015 ANZ Championship – Round 7 Tips

Ben Carbonaro previews Round 7 of the 2015 ANZ Championship.

Previous Results of Ben’s tips

Rd 6: 2 units bet, gross return of 1.88 units, net loss of 0.12 units

2015 total: 12 units bet, gross return of 11.36 units, net loss of 0.64 units

2012-2015: 105 units bet, gross return of 116.90 units, net profit of 11.90 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 11%

 

Round 7 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday April 11, 4:10 PM Steel v Magic

Bookmakers’ line: N/A

Ben says: The halfway point of the 2015 ANZ Championship season kicks off today when the Southern Steel clash with Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in Invercargill. Steel head into this game coming off a record breaking 84-58 smashing of the Mainland Tactix last Monday night in Christrchurch and they currently sit in third place on the New Zealand Conference ladder; they also hold the competition’s best attacking record as they have averaged 65.2 goals per game. Where this game could be won is if the Magic’s defensive end can continue to maintain its mantle of second best defensive team with just 47.67 goals scored against them. This one could go right down to the wire. Steel by 3

 

Recommended bet: N/A

 

Sunday April 12, 12:18 PM Vixens v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line: N/A

Ben says: It’s here, the first of two (the other is in round 11) Grand Final rematches for 2015 between the Melbourne Vixens and Queensland Firebirds. On that day last year, the Vixens defeated the Firebirds 53-42 to win a second ANZ Championship to go with their 2009 success. Missing from the Vixens team for the rest of this season is Madi Robinson, who ruptured an ACL against West Coast Fever and that means that a major cog in their midcourt structure is gone. While the Vixens were able to restrict Fever to their lowest first half score of the season, they weren’t able to finish things off and went down. The Firebirds are coming off a win, having beaten the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a two goal thriller. I’ve tipped the Vixens to rebound and win, but a lot of that hinges on whether or not they can contain the Firebirds tall timber shooting duo of  Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett.  Vixens by 4

Recommended bet: N/A

 

Sunday April 12, 1:48 PM Thunderbirds v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line: N/A

Ben says: In the second all Australian clash of this round, the NSW Swifts travel to Netball SA Stadium to take on Adelaide Thunderbirds. News out of the Thunderbirds camp this week was the announcement that coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson is stepping down as head coach at the end of this season to spend more time with her family. For the Swifts, captain Kimberlee Green will make her 100th ANZ Championship appearance in what has been a great career so far that has seen her be a midcourt constant in the red, white and blue. Where this game is won could come down to any number of factors, including whether or not Australian Diamond Julie Corletto does her job in defence for the Swifts. Swifts by 7

Recommended bet: N/A

 

Sunday April 12, 7:10 PM Tactix v Fever  

Bookmakers’ line: Tactix +16.5

Ben says: Of the five games in this round, I’m tipping this one to be the most lop sided simply because at the moment West Coast Fever appear to be unstoppable. They’ve won every game and drawn one this season in a great start to this season as the shooting combination of Caitlin Bassett and Natalie Medhurst has combined strongly; captain Ashleigh Brazill has also stood out at wing defence. They will be simply too good for the Tactix and will demolish them in a game where ever reliable midcourter Khao Watts will make her 50th appearance in Fever’s green dress. Fever by 21

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Fever -16.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Monday April 13, 7:40 PM Pulse v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line: Pulse +1.5

Ben says: While I’ve tipped the Northern Mystics to win this one, if the Central Pulse are to have a chance in winning this one it will come down to consistency in attack. The Pulse are looking to get momentum going against after an 11 goal demolition of Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic two weeks before sitting out last week with a bye. On paper both of these team are reasonably matched, but across competition history Mystics have won 12 of 15 clashes between the two and will make it 13 in this round’s sole Monday night clash. Mystics by 6

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Mystics -1.5 at $1.88 (Centrebet)