AFL multi bet selections & bookie specials for round 18, 2016

AFTER a month of football that looked to have a top eight that was set in stone, suddenly last position inside the finals looks up for grabs.

Port Adelaide’s upset victory over eighth-placed North Melbourne has opened the door for the Power to pinch their spot, while St. Kilda’s win over Melbourne gives the Saints hope they could jump the queue and play finals football.

Sportsbet.com.au has North Melbourne at $1.30 to retain their position inside the eight, Port Adelaide is next best at $4.25 and the Saints are the only other team under triple figures at $16.

If both the Saints and the Power win and the Roos fail to beat Collingwood on Friday night, expect the odds on the teams outside the top-eight to shorten considerably.

Enough of the what-ifs though – it is time for the round 18 AFL multi of the week.

This week we are backing one team with its back against the wall to get the job done, while we are expecting another to capitulate.

And who could forget the blockbuster clash between the Bombers and the Lions? This one is sure to draw a lot of viewers, but for entirely different reasons than the two teams would want.

For the past two weeks we have fallen short by one leg, so this time we are jumping off the pretenders and banking on some potential contenders to win us some cash this weekend.

All odds this week are provided by Sportsbet.com.au.

Collingwood to beat North Melbourne ($2.20)

Multi value: $12.77

Collingwood vs. North Melbourne

Where: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

When: 7:20pm, Friday 22nd July

North Melbourne and Collingwood clash on Friday night to kick off an important round of football for the Roos, who will be keen to atone for a horror patch which has seen them record just one win out of their last six.

The Kangaroos were woeful last week, falling to the Power at Etihad Stadium by 26 points.

North were out of the contest at quarter time after conceding six goals whilst failing to boot one of their own.

The Magpies were gallant in defeat against the Crows last week, taking it right up to the in-form premiership bolters until the fourth quarter.

Collingwood bring terrific form into this matchup, having caused arguably the upset of the season against the GWS Giants in round 16.

The Pies have won three of the last four clashes against North and their record at the venue is just as good, with three wins from their four meetings at Etihad Stadium.

We are backing the Maggies to extend the Roos’ misery.

Collingwood to win – $2.20

Geelong vs. Adelaide

Where: Simonds Stadium, Geelong

When: 7:25pm, Saturday 23rd July

Two of the legitimate premiership fancies face off at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night as the Cats host the Crows.

One-time flag favourites Geelong have since experienced an indifferent period, losing to several bottom-10 teams as well as failing to beat an understrength Sydney at home.

It’s crunch time for the Cats, who are now paying $6 on the fourth line of 2016 AFL Premiership betting at Sportsbet.

The Crows are chugging along, winning nine straight games to jump from the bottom of the eight to second position.

A win against the Cats would see them firm even further in a premiership betting market that has them as the $5.50 second favourite behind Hawthorn at $3.75.

History is against the Crows, however.

Not only are Geelong aiming for four straight wins over Adelaide, the Crows have failed to win at Kardinia in eight attempts – a stretch that dates back to 2003.

We are backing the Cats to get the cream on Saturday night, ending the Crows’ magnificent run of wins in the process.

Geelong to win – $1.65

Essendon vs. Brisbane

Where: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

When: 1:10pm, Sunday 24th July

It is the battle of the bottom at Etihad Stadium on Sunday as the depleted Dons take on the lamentable Lions.

This game is likely to decide who receives the wooden spoon this year, as the two teams are separated by mere percentage with just over a month left in the season.

The Bombers are the incumbent holders of 18th position on the ladder, but had it not been for inaccurate kicking they could have won their last two matches against St. Kilda and Richmond.

Coincidentally, a win against Brisbane would be the Dons’ first victory at the venue since beating the Lions by 58 points last season.

Brisbane have been simply woeful this season.

The end of the season cannot come quick enough for the Queenslanders, who have lost a club-record 12 games in a row.

Since round six, the Lions have lost by under 10 goals only twice.

We are expecting the Dons to break the duck and climb off the canvas, condemning the Lions to the unwanted last position for what should be the remainder of the season.

Essendon to win – $1.53

Port Adelaide vs. Greater Western Sydney

Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

When: 4:40pm, Sunday 24th July

The Power and the Giants finish off the round and our multi this week, and we are expecting a terrific clash given both sides are playing for their respective finals positions.

Port Adelaide are back in the finals hunt after upsetting North Melbourne away from home in round 17.

The Power surged to the front, booting six first-quarter goals while restricting the Roos to just five points.

A similar start on Sunday could yield the same result.

The Giants bounced back last week against the Lions after their shock loss to the Magpies the week before, recording a comfortable 77-point victory in torrid conditions.

But South Australia has not been a happy hunting ground for the Giants, who have never won at Adelaide Oval.

The Power have dominated GWS in recent times, winning four of their last five meetings by an average of 46 points.

Their run of great form against the Giants, coupled with the need to win to keep the finals flame alive, should see the Power end the round and our multi in the right fashion.

Port Adelaide to win – $2.30