AFL Round 7 betting preview, match odds & market news

A massive weekend of matches is scheduled for round seven of the AFL 2021 Premiership season, including the WA Derby and a clash between the top two premiership contenders. Here is everything you need to know about this week’s games, with top odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au.

AFL Round 7 betting odds & matchups

Richmond Tigers $2.60 vs Western Bulldogs $1.50

This Friday night battle will be the pinnacle of round seven as the reigning premiers host the 6-0 Western Bulldogs at the MCG. Both sides will be tested at selection, as the Tigers will miss Dustin Martin (concussion) and Kane Lambert (calf), while the Bulldogs need to replace Tim English (concussion), Josh Dunkley (shoulder) and Lin Jong (hamstring).

Collingwood Magpies $1.42 vs Gold Coast Suns $2.89

Nathan Buckley will be under an enormous amount of pressure when Collingwood hosts the Gold Coast Suns this Saturday. The Magpies have started their season 1-5 and are coming off a disappointing ANZAC Day loss, while the Suns are in terrific form after belting the Sydney Swans by 40 points. Stuart Dew’s side could make a big splash in Melbourne this weekend.

Adelaide Crows $2.12 vs GWS Giants $1.73

Despite kicking 14 first-half goals without a behind against Hawthorn, the Adelaide Crows could not get the win in Launceston. The GWS Giants fell short against the Western Bulldogs, but they still displayed good determination after Nick Haynes went down early with a hamstring injury. Online bookmakers currently favour the visitors for this massive clash at Adelaide Oval.

St Kilda Saints $1.58 vs Hawthorn Hawks $2.39

The underwhelming Saints must register a victory this week against Hawthorn if they want to feature in the 2021 AFL finals. St Kilda never got near Port Adelaide on ANZAC Day, while the Hawks are fresh off an excellent come-from-behind win against Adelaide. The Saints will start as favourites, however, and could welcome back Paddy Ryder after a strong return in the VFL.

Brisbane Lions $2.23 vs Port Adelaide Power $1.66

Two of the best performing sides from the 2020 season will do battle at the Gabba when the Lions host the Power this Saturday. Brisbane will be without Lachie Neale for the next few weeks as the 2020 Brownlow Medal winner recovers from ankle surgery. Both sides should bring a finals-like intensity to the Gabba this Saturday night.

Sydney Swans $2.42 vs Geelong Cats $1.57

Chris Scott’s Cats were unstoppable against the West Coast Eagles last weekend and now sit in a perfect position to attack their next month of matches. The Sydney Swans were outclassed by the Suns last week, but they should lift in front of their home crowd here. George Hewett (concussion) and Nick Blakey (thigh) will miss this clash for the Swans, while Jake Kolodjashnij and Mark O’Connor both suffered hamstring injuries for the Cats.

North Melbourne Kangaroos $15 vs Melbourne Demons $1.02

This match may be over by quarter time. The Demons are clinical around stoppages and dangerous in front of goal, which should see them tear the Kangaroos apart down in Tasmania at Blundstone Arena. Ben Brown is a chance to make his Dees debut against his old team, while Sam Weideman is also knocking on the door in the VFL.

Essendon Bombers $2.17 vs Carlton Blues $1.69

Two of the oldest rivals in Australian football will take centre stage this Sunday afternoon when the Bombers and Blues do battle at the MCG. Essendon fans will be out in full force after a satisfying upset over Collingwood in their ANZAC Day clash. The Blues will start as favourites despite losing their last two matches.

West Coast Eagles $1.62 vs Fremantle Dockers $2.30

A three-day lockdown in Perth forced the Fremantle Dockers to play without fans last week, and it is likely this week’s WA Derby will go ahead without a crowd as well. The Eagles will start as favourites despite copping a 97-point belting from the Cats last week. The Dockers have won four of their last five matches, so an upset here would not surprise us.

AFL 2021 Premiership betting update

Round six delivered several telling results over the weekend, completely changing the landscape of the 2021 AFL Premiership market. The Saints have both fallen to $51 after a poor performance on ANZAC Day, while the Blues and Magpies are effectively out of the title race at $67. The Demons have firmed to $6.50 after stealing the show on Saturday against the Tigers, while a huge win to Geelong earlier in the day has seen them come in to $8.50.