2015 ANZ Championships – Round 2 Tips

Ben Carbonaro previews Round 2 of the 2015 ANZ Championship.

Previous Results of Ben’s tips

Rd 1/ 2015 total: 3 units bet, gross return of 1.90 units, net loss of 1.10 units

2012-2015: 96 units bet, gross return of 107.44 units, net profit of 11.44 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 12%

 

Round 2 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday March 7, 4:20 PM Steel v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line: Steel -8.5

Ben says: While the Tactix actually looked like a decent team in the opening round last week, coming up against a team like Steel who just missed out on playing finals netball is a different story. Despite this, the showing they did put up against the Northern Mystics suggests that this season could see the Tactix finally shake off their tag of competition easy beats. Steel just went down to the NSW Swifts in what was a very competitive game, so while this game could go either way I think the general class of Steel will get them over the line. Steel by 11

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Sunday March 8, 12:18 PM Vixens v Thunderbirds

Bookmakers’ line: Vixens -9.5 to -10.5

Ben says: Vixens started their premiership defence with a dominant 24 goal demolition of the Central Pulse last Sunday. A dominant first quarter and strong defensive performance got Vixens over the line, who now face the Adelaide Thunderbirds back at their regular home court of Hisense Arena. The Thunderbirds just went down to the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic by a single goal in the season opener and what counts against them this week is the fact that the Vixens are the only Australian team to have a winning record over them. This game is also the 100th for Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield, she becomes the first player from her team to achieve the milestone. Vixens by 7

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Thunderbirds +10.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday March 8, 11:18 AM Fever v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line: Fever -5.5

Ben says: One of the biggest upsets in recent memory happened last weekend when the Fever got over the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane. The Fever have continued to impress many in the wider netball community following on from an imprssive at the recent pre-season tournament. Fever currently hold the Challenge Trophy but may lose it should the Mystics win. Fever’s coach Stacey Rosman will draw confidence from that if her team can win tomorrow, it will be the first time since round 5 2009 and this includes last year’s round 14 win over the Central Pulse. Consistency and an inability to win on the road have hung over Fever in recent seasons, but early form suggests that 2015 could see Fever finally push up the ladder after promising so much. Fever by 8

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Sunday March 8, 7:10 PM Pulse v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line: Pulse +9.5

Ben says: The Pulse have still yet to win a game on Australian soil after going down to the Vixens by 24 goals. When the Firebirds and Pulse met for the only time on the Gold Coast last year, it was the Queenslanders who won a very one sided contest and this extended their perfect record against the Wellington based team. Despite going down to the West Coast Fever in an opening round thriller, I still believe they can win on the road in New Zealand.  Firebirds by 10

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Monday March 9, 7:40 PM Magic v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line: Magic +1.5 to +2.5

Ben says: In the sole Monday night game this round, the Magic host a Swifts team playing back to back games on the road in New Zealand. The Swifts beat the Steel, but only sealed victory with a strong final quarter performance. It was a similar result to last year’s semi -inal between the Magic and Swifts, but Magic won after a strong final quarter. While the Magic has the best home court record with 44 wins from 54 matches in the competition, the Swifts should be able to make it two wins from two games on the road. Swifts by 9

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Swifts -1.5 at $1.88 (Sportsbet)