21014 ANZ Championship – Round 7 Tips

Round 7 of the ANZ Championship is headlined by the clash between the 4-1 Swifts and the 402 Vixens. Who will keep pace with the Magic at the top of the table? Ben Carbonaro previews this match and the remainder of action this week.

Results

Round 6: 3 units bet, gross return of 3.87 units, net profit of 0.87 units

2014: 18 units bet, gross return of 17.09 units, net loss of 0.91 units

 

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

Sunday April 13, 12:18 PM  Swifts v Vixens

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: Fresh and confident coming off a bye, the last time Swifts played a game they back in five they easily accounted for a Pulse team that struggled against a team that set up their win with a strong third quarter. Vixens arrive in Sydney following a 12 goal win over the Firebirds in a reverse of the round three match between the two teams in Melbourne where a Romela Aiken with seconds remaining sealed victory for Firebirds. Swifts and Vixens both have quality players everywhere, but I think the Vixens will just get over the line in what will be a cracking game that will certainly go down to the wire no matter what. Vixens by 4

Recommended bet: TBC

 

Sunday April 13, 12:18 PM  Fever v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Fever are brimming with confidence after pulling off one of the upsets of this season, defeating defending premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds by two goals in a thriller on their home court in Perth, but it’s a different kettle of fish this week when they host Firebirds on Sunday morning WA time. While Firebirds were completely outclassed by the Vixens on Monday night, the quality of opposition in Fever may have plenty of talent albeit younger across court but they are certainly not as polished as Vixens who are starting to firm as a premiership contender. Both Fever and Firebirds have a tall shooter, so this game could be decided how the respective defensive ends restrict the scoring opportunities for them. Caitlin Bassett (230 goals) for the Fever and Romelda Aiken (195)  for the Firebirds both sit in top four for most goals score so far this season, so it will be no mean feat to contain either of them.  Firebirds by 10

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Sunday April 13, 7:20 PM  Mystics v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line: TBC

Ben says:  Fast finishing in their previous two games, the Mystics have returned to form after struggling through the first couple of rounds of this season after finishing last season on the bottom in a what was a disappointing finish to season 2013. With shooters Cathrine Latu and Maria Tuatia back in form and Anna Harrison slotting in well upon return from injury with Julie Corletto, the Mystics can look forward to a much better second half of the season. Tactix return to action coming off a bye where coach Leigh Gibbs would have sat down and looked at her team’s ability to play good patches of netball but not be consistent across a full four quarters and also how they can spring surprises against more fancied teams, they need to start winning games consistently and not just coming home with the odd win every few weeks. The Mystics with the strong defensive and attacking ends will be too good for the Tactix. Mystics by 13

Recommended bet: TBC

 

Monday April 14, 7:40 PM  Steel v Pulse

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Pulse sit just outside the top four and of all the seasons in ANZ Championship history, this season is the one where they have to play finals netball. Coach Robyn Broughton has been quite vocal about this year being the year where her team will push into the top four and give it a shake up. They face a Steel team that just went down to the Mystics in a very evenly matched game, but Pulse having so much more experience in all areas of the court should get then over the line. Pulse by 6

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Bye:  Thunderbirds, Magic