Collingwood v Geelong AFL tips, odds & prediction | Round 18

Collingwood v Geelong betting picks

Round 18: Collingwood v Geelong match preview

Round 18 of the 2024 AFL Premiership season kicks off on Friday night as finals contenders Collingwood and Geelong face off at the MCG.

Despite playing at home, the Magpies enter this clash as slight underdogs at $2.12 with Unibet. The Cats are favourites at $1.77 with PlayUp, with the line set at 4.5 points.

Last Friday, Collingwood suffered their second successive defeat as they fell to Essendon by 12 points. After leading by as much as 22 points, the Magpies fell apart in the second half, conceding six-straight goals.

As a result, Collingwood have dropped outside the top eight into ninth spot. With a tough run of fixtures to finish the season, top AFL bookmakers are giving them odds of $1.80 to make the top eight.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae will be forced into a few changes this week, as both Brody Mihocek (pectoral) and Isaac Quaynor (toe) were injured against the Bombers. Returning from concussion, half-back John Noble should be a straight swap for Quaynor, while Reef McInnes and Ash Johnson are also in the mix for a recall.

Geelong continued their resurgence last Saturday, beating the in-form Hawthorn by 51 points at GMHBA Stadium. It was a dominant display from start to finish, as the Cats won every quarter while keeping the Hawks to just nine goals. Tom Stewart led the way with 26 disposals in his new midfield role, while Brad Close and Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals each.

Winning their last two matches, Brad Scott’s men have put themselves back into contention for a top-four spot. They now sit fifth on the ladder, just two points out of third spot, yet Australian bookies are paying as much as $2.50 for the Cats to secure a home final.

Don’t expect too many changes for Geelong after they got through unscathed against the Hawks. Midfielder Cam Guthrie may return, but an ongoing Achilles problem has kept him out since round 10.

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Collingwood v Geelong AFL predictions

Although Geelong enter this clash as the in-form side, it is hard to look past Collingwood at the MCG. Despite their extensive injury list this season, the Magpies have continued to compete. With a finals spot on the line, back the Magpies to secure a win against the odds at $2.12 with Unibet.

Coming off a season-high 34 disposals against the Bombers, Collingwood wingman Steele Sidebottom has recently found form after a slow start to the season. The veteran averages over 23 disposals per game across the last five matches, so back him to continue his good run with 25 or more at $2.15 with leading online bookmakers.

Geelong half-back Max Holmes has taken a huge leap in his fourth AFL season. Averaging 24.8 disposals per game, he thrives in the uncontested game and ranks second in the AFL for metres gained. Coming off his quietest game of the season against the Hawks, back Holmes to bounce back with 25 or more disposals at $2.15 with Bet365.

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