Collingwood v North Melbourne AFL tips & odds – Sunday, May 28

Collingwood v North Melbourne predictions & best bets

Magpies v Kangaroos R11 match preview

Early premiership favourites Collingwood may have an easy assignment when they face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium this Sunday in round 11 of the 2023 AFL season.

The Magpies are the competition’s clear form side, with only a single loss from 10 games, while the Kangaroos should be encouraged by an improved showing against the Swans at their most recent outing.

The Collingwood Magpies juggernaut rolled on against the Blues in round 10 and sit alone at the head of the AFL table. The Magpies continue to win the close games — as seen with a one-point victory over the Crows in round seven — but have also put a beating on opponents, including a 65-point thrashing of GWS in round nine.

The Kangaroos can consider themselves most unfortunate not to have grabbed four points against the Swans after a last-second interchange infringement cost them the win. They dominated most of the key numbers from the game, including disposal efficiency and hitouts, and should be heartened by the improved performance.

On their bad days the Kangaroos struggle to get the ball into attacking areas, which is why they are ranked 17th in the competition for inside 50s. They are ranked eighth for clearances, so have no problem winning the ball, but it is the quality of their subsequent usage that often lets them down.

Collingwood v North Melbourne betting strategy

Collingwood are understandably short favourites going into this game, with the line set at a whopping 53.5 points. These sides were separated by a mere seven points last time they met in late 2022, so there is history to suggest this might not be a whitewash. We were impressed by the North Melbourne Kangaroos in round 10 and are therefore tipping them to get within the 53.5 points.

Key matchup: Sidebottom v Scott

Steele Sidebottom vs Bailey Scott

Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom lines up for his 300th game this weekend, and the veteran continues to produce the goods. While he does not generate some of the huge numbers of his colleagues, Sidebottom acts as an on-field coach, directing play and ensuring younger teammates know what is expected. The 32-year-old is still averaging 22.7 disposals, 3.6 tackles, and 2.0 clearances per game this season and will enjoy a hero’s ovation at the end of this match.

At the other end of his playing career, young North Melbourne midfielder Bailey Scott has had a quiet year to date but played a huge game against the Swans, grabbing 33 disposals, seven clearances, six marks, landing two tackles, and booting one goal. The 22-year-old has enormous upside and, after 65 games at AFL level, might be starting to deliver on his potential. He will be tested against some of the game’s best here.

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