2015 ANZ Championships – Round 9 Tips

Ben Carbonaro may have been out of action last weekend, but he’s back on deck to preview Round 9 of the 2015 ANZ Championship.

Previous Results of Ben’s tips

Rd 7: 2 units bet, gross return of 1.88 units, net loss of 0.12 units

2015 total: 14 units bet, gross return of 13.24 units, net loss of 0.76 units

2012-2015: 107 units bet, gross return of 118.78 units, net profit of 11.78 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 11%

 

Round 9 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday April 25, 4:10 PM Pulse v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line: Pulse +6.5

Ben says: There’s not just AFL football on in Wellington on ANZAC Day, there’s also some netball as the Central Pulse and NSW Swifts kick off round nine of ANZ Championship action. While the Swifts hold the upper hand over the Pulse 5-2, the Pulse’s two wins over them have been in New Zealand. The Swifts are coming off a 16 goal demolition of the Northern Mystics and in that game, shooter Caitlin Thwaites played her 100th ANZ Championship match and she’s been in good form this season inside the circle. Pulse just went down to the West Coast Fever in a thriller and I’m tipping more of the same today, but Swifts will win. Swifts by 3

 

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Pulse +6.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday April 26, 10:18 AM Fever v Magic

Bookmakers’ line: Fever -5.5

Ben says: Nothing has stopped the Stacey Rosman coached West Coast Fever team so far this season, they still sit atop the Australian conference and defend the Challenge Trophy for a fifth time this season. Their form this season has been so good, the Fever have equalled their best start to a season of four wins between round 14 last year and round 3 this year. This game also sees Australian Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett make her 100th ANZ Championship appearance and she’s currently shot the second most goals in competition history with 3600 goals. Magic have won six of the previous seven encounters between these two, but there’s no stopping the Fever and they should win comfortably. Fever by 10

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

 

Sunday April 26, 2:18 PM Vixens v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line: Vixens -14.5

Ben says: The Vixens got their season back on track last weekend with a hard fought win over the Southern Steel after three consecutive losses and news came this week that captain Bianca Chatfield would retire from netball after a glittering 17 year career that includes two ANZ Championship premierships to go with 59 Tests for Australia. Tactix pushed the Thunderbirds on Monday night as they gave them a scare, reducing their lead to just two goals during the first half before fading away. On paper, this game looks like it could be extremely one sided but slowing down the ball and ensuring the Tactix midcourt has to work extremely hard to deliver it to towering Malawian shooter Mwai Kumwenda will be extremely important. The Tactix have proven this season that they are capable of playing some decent netball, but have looked disjointed as well. Vixens by 18

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Vixens -14.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday April 26, 7:10 PM Mystics v Firebirds  

Bookmakers’ line: Mystics +2.5

Ben says: Mystics have not yet been able to defeat the Firebirds across competition history, even in New Zealand and with an average winning margin of 12 goals it’s likely that it will stay that way tomorrow. What does count though in the Mystics favour is that are currently New Zealand conference leaders with four wins, two draws and two losses but they are coming off a huge 16 goal loss to the NSW Swifts where they didn’t manage to win a quarter. On the other hand, the Firebirds have the best record of any Australian team in New Zealand (15 wins from 19 games). This game could go either way, but I’m tipping the Firebirds just. Firebirds by 5

Recommended bet: Nil

 

Monday April 27, 7:40 PM Steel v Thunderbirds

Bookmakers’ line: Steel -1.5

Ben says: Coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson and her Thunderbirds team were stunned by the Mainland Tactix on Monday night as they saw a comfortable first half lead be whittled down to just two. Last year’s encounter between these two teams as the Steel’s first ever in in Australia and will be hoping to back to it up with another win, but the Thunderbirds need back to back wins on the road as they currently sit bottom of the Australian conference. What counts against them is their poor defensive record, they have leaked 61.43 goals on average per game. Thunderbirds by 7

Recommended bet: 1 unit on Thunderbirds +1.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)