Carlton vs Collingwood AFL Round 2 betting tips – 25/3/2021

Carlton vs Collingwood betting preview

One of the oldest rivalries in the AFL will reignite this Thursday night when the Carlton Blues take on the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG.

The AFL recently announced an increase to 75% crowd capacity for round two matches in Victoria, meaning there could be as many as 75,000 Blues and Pies fans at the ‘G this week.

Nathan Buckley has declared Steele Sidebottom fit for Thursday night, which is a huge inclusion for the Pies given the midfielder’s excellent record against Carlton.

SEE ALSO: AFL ROUND 2 BETTING PREVIEW

Blues forward Jack Martin will be pushing for selection this week at training, but Jack Silvagni will miss this match with a shoulder injury he sustained in round one.

Zac Williams will make his debut for the Blue Baggers after serving his one-match suspension, while Matthew Cottrell is also a chance to slip in on the wing after his strong performance in a VFL practice match over the weekend.

Key matchup: Patrick Cripps vs Scott Pendlebury

The master and the apprentice. Scott Pendlebury was one of the original big-bodied midfielders to take the AFL by storm, while Patrick Cripps is the best example of the modern centreman. Cripps and Pendlebury have played on each other the last few contests, but that has not stopped the Carlton captain, who has averaged over 25 disposals in his last five clashes with the Pies.

Carlton Blues betting info

Inaccuracy and poor decision-making in the forward half did Carlton no favours in its opening match against the Tigers, but the team still had 25 shots on goal for 80 points in total. Fast ball movement out of the back half allowed the Blues to transition well against the reigning premiers, and that could be critical this week as they come up against a Magpies outfit that defended poorly in that area against the Bulldogs.

CarltonBlues

• Lachie Plowman
• Liam Jones
• Tom Williamson
• Sam Docherty
• Jacob Weitering
• Adam Saad
• Will Setterfield
• Patrick Cripps
• Ed Curnow
• Paddy Dow
• Levi Casboult
• Marc Murphy
• Michael Gibbons
• Harry McKay
• Jack Martin
• Marc Pittonet
• Sam Walsh
• Zac Williams
• Sam Petrevski-Seton
• Jack Newnes
• Lachie Fogarty
• Zac Fisher
• Oscar McDonald (Emg)
• Eddie Betts (Emg)
• Lochie O’Brien (Emg)
• Matthew Kennedy (Emg)
• Coach: David Teague

Collingwood Magpies betting info

A poor performance in the midfield gave the Pies limited opportunities in the front half in round one, yet Mason Cox, Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott all managed to kick multiple goals. Jordan De Goey and Josh Thomas both kicked three behinds against the Dogs, but if they kick straight this week, Carlton could be in trouble.

CollingwoodMagpies

• Josh Daicos
• Mason Cox
• Josh Thomas
• Jamie Elliott
• Brody Mihocek
• Jordan De Goey
• John Noble
• Scott Pendlebury
• Tyler Brown
• Jack Crisp
• Darcy Moore
• Jeremy Howe
• Brayden Maynard
• Jordan Roughead
• Jack Madgen
• Brodie Grundy
• Taylor Adams
• Steele Sidebottom
• Will Hoskin-Elliott
• Isaac Quaynor
• Callum Brown
• Brayden Sier
• Trey Ruscoe (Emg)
• Darcy Cameron (Emg)
• Oliver Henry (Emg)
• Nathan Murphy (Emg)
• Coach: Nathan Buckley

Carlton vs Collingwood betting predictions

Sam Walsh to get 30+ disposals

Entering his third AFL season, Sam Walsh already looks like he has played over 150 games. He started off 2021 with a stunning performance against the Tigers, collecting 31 disposals while showing great poise in traffic. The former no.1 draft pick should put on another show against a vulnerable Magpies midfield.

Jamie Elliott to kick 2+ goals

If Collingwood wants to beat its biggest rival, leaving Jamie Elliott in the forward half is a must. Trey Ruscoe and Ollie Henry struggled last week playing deep inside 50, so we might see Elliott playing closer to goal in round two. We know he is a strong finisher, so it all comes down to how many decent opportunities he gets.

Carlton vs Collingwood AFL same game multi

The Magpies have won their last four clashes against Carlton, all by margins between 19 and 24 points. The inclusions of Steele Sidebottom and possibly Chris Mayne and Levi Greenwood could make a huge difference, so we are backing the Pies to overcome the improving but still inexperienced Blues.