2018 AFL Round 8 Betting Tips
2018 AFL Round 8 Preview and Betting Tips
It’s been a tough couple of rounds to predict as upsets continue to occur. However, there are plenty of value games coming up this weekend, headlined by the Showdown on Saturday Night, so lets get stuck into SmitTips AFL Round 8 preview and betting tips.
Hawthorn Hawks vs Sydney Swans (Friday, 7:50PM AEST)
Round 8 kicks of with what promises and in some ways needs to be a blockbuster match. Friday Night footy has been really poor in 2018, but the Hawks and Swans have a rivalry that usually ends in a thriller.
The Swans are coming off a poor performance against the Kangaroos in Round 7 that they would most definitely have had marked down as a sure win at the seasons commencement. They were never able to get things going and eventually fell to the inspired Roos by 2 points. The Swans are now 4-3 on the season and sit in 8th position on the ladder.
The Hawks dished out another terrific performance in Round 7 on their way to defeating the Bombers by 33 points after trailing at the main break by 7. They are now in 4th position with 5 wins from 7 games and are playing like a team that can do damage in September.
It should be a tightly fought battle on Friday Night, but I think the Hawks at home have the slight edge over the Swans. Thrilled to get them around the $2 mark.
TIP: Hawks to win – $1.85 at Ladbrokes
GWS Giants vs West Coast Eagles (Saturday, 1:45PM AEST)
There’s another game with potential to be a terrific contest in Round 7 taking place between the Giants and the Eagles. The Giants have been ravaged by injuries in 2018 and will be missing a few key pieces yet again this weekend. They were really disappointing in their loss to the Cats last Friday Night and will be hoping to bounce back at home.
The Eagles are one of the surprise packets this season and are just percentage off being on top of the ladder. They took their season record to 6-1 when they dismantled Port Adelaide in Round 7, taking complete control of the game in a wire-to-wire victory. High profile player Nic Naitanui will miss this weekend through suspension after failing his appeal at the tribunal midweek.
I’m expecting a very close match and are surprised with the short odds of the Giants. I’m giving the Eagles a slight edge, but will take them at the line to be safe.
TIP: Eagles at the line (+11.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
Port Adelaide Power vs Adelaide Crows (Saturday, 5:10PM AEST)
Headlining an exciting Round 8 is the Showdown battle between the Power and the Crows at Adelaide Oval. The Power have failed to meet the preseason hype surrounding them so far in 2018 and sit in 11th position at 4-3. They weren’t able to back up their big win over the Roos in Round 7, as they lost in Perth to Eagles in a blowout.
The Crows have shown that they’re going to be around the mark again in September after a decent 5-2 start to the season, which places them in 3rd position. They made light work of the Blues in Round 7, defeating them by 55 points at home. Although they’ll face a different and much more competitive side when they play in the Showdown on Saturday Night.
I’m expecting a close and entertaining battle on Saturday, but are giving the Crows the slight edge. Although my best bet for the game AND the week is the overs in this one. The line is currently set at 169.5, which has been eclipsed in the last THIRTEEN Showdowns. Get on while it’s still low.
TIP: Total points over (169.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Richmond Tigers (Sunday, 1:10PM AEST)
Another match that looms as a great contest in Round 8 is the duel between the Kangaroos and Tigers on Sunday. The Kangaroos have exceeded expectations by tenfold so far in 2018 and currently sit in 7th position at 4-3. They bounced back from their loss against the Power to notch their best victory of the season in Round 7, defeating the Swans in Sydney by 2 points. It doesn’t get any easier for them this week as they take on the reigning champions.
The Tigers have started the season the same way they ended the last and are top of the ladder at 6-1. They demolished the Dockers in Round 7 in a huge wire-to-wire win, which boosted their percentage to an incredible 155%! They have a really nice run of games coming up for them, kicking off with a very winnable game against the Kangaroos this weekend.
Although the Kangaroos have played well above expectation this season, I believe the Tigers pressure will be too much for them. Very happy taking the Tigers line in this one.
TIP: Tigers at the line (-25.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
