Adelaide vs West Coast AFL betting tips – Round 18, 2021

The West Coast Eagles are in dire need of a win as they head to the Adelaide Oval to take on the Crows this Sunday afternoon in round 18 of the 2021 AFL Premiership season.

Both sides were embarrassed in round 17; the Crows registered their lowest-ever score against the Bombers, while the Eagles were knocked off at home by the last-placed Kangaroos.

The Eagles have lost three straight matches and could slip out of the top eight altogether this weekend if they lose to the 16th-placed Crows.

A pair of experienced forwards return for Adelaide in Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch, while Elliott Himmelberg is back in the starting 22 for the first time since round eight.

The Eagles have two big injuries leading into this contest, as Tom Barrass (hamstring) and Brendon Ah Chee (hand) went down in round 17. Harry Edwards will step in for Barrass, while mid-season draftee Connor West is expected to make his debut.

Adelaide Crows vs West Coast Eagles match preview

The Eagles have been one of the AFL’s strongest intercept teams in recent years, yet they rank 16th in the league this season in that stat. The Crows’ structure ahead of the ball has been strengthened greatly with the return of Lynch and Walker, which will help the young side’s transition play this week.

Both teams were terribly inaccurate in front of the goals last week, but we think they will straighten up their kicking in this contest. Sunday’s conditions at the Adelaide Oval should not affect either team’s ball movement, which was a huge problem for the Eagles last week in the wet. Considering these teams combined for 182 points when they clashed in round nine, punters should consider the overs on this week’s line of 152.5 total points.

AdelaideCrows

• Will Hamill
• Jordon Butts
• Jake Kelly
• Brodie Smith
• Nick Murray
• Chayce Jones
• David Mackay
• Ben Keays
• Paul Seedsman
• Ned McHenry
• James Rowe
• Lachlan Murphy
• Tom Lynch
• Elliott Himmelberg
• Taylor Walker
• Reilly O’Brien
• Rory Laird
• Rory Sloane
• Nick Berry
• Harry Schoenberg
• Andrew McPherson
• Darcy Fogarty
• Billy Frampton (Emg)
• Riley Thilthorpe (Emg)
• Luke Pedlar (Emg)
• Lachlan Scholl (Emg)
• Coach: Matthew Nicks

West CoastEagles

• Oscar Allen
• Josh Kennedy
• Liam Ryan
• Jamie Cripps
• Jack Darling
• Dom Sheed
• Connor West
• Elliot Yeo
• Andrew Gaff
• Tom Cole
• Jeremy McGovern
• Liam Duggan
• Shannon Hurn
• Harry Edwards
• Brad Sheppard
• Nic Naitanui
• Tim Kelly
• Luke Shuey
• Zac Langdon
• Luke Edwards
• Jake Petruccelle
• Josh Rotham
• Xavier O’Neill (Emg)
• Jackson Nelson (Emg)
• Mark Hutchings (Emg)
• Bailey Williams (Emg)
• Coach: Adam Simpson

Key matchup: Ben Keays vs Luke Shuey

Ben Keays has been excellent for the Adelaide Crows this season, and he should provide a great contest with the experienced Luke Shuey this weekend. Shuey has missed a big chunk of football this year, but he should be back on track after three straight matches in the seniors. Both Keays and Shuey will collect plenty of the footy this Sunday.

Adelaide Crows vs West Coast Eagles predictions & best bets

Adelaide Crows to win by 1-39 points

We think the Crows will adjust well from last week’s loss, as the inclusions of Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch and Elliott Himmelberg will make a massive difference in the forward half. The loss of Tom Barrass will hurt the Eagles’ defence, as his intercepting ability is crucial to their structure. The Crows will bounce back this week with a tight win over the Eagles.

Ben Keays to get 30+ disposals

Ben Keays has climbed to new heights this season, averaging 28 disposals per game for the Crows. Keays never amassed 30 or more touches before his 2021 campaign, yet he has already passed that mark eight times this season. Keays notched up 32 disposals against the Eagles in round nine and should post similar numbers this weekend.

Same game multi: 3 legs @ $10

We are backing in the home side to get an important victory over the Eagles this Sunday. Ben Keays will rack up plenty of disposals in the midfield, while both teams will improve in front of the goals and clear the total points line.