Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs AFL betting tips – 27/5/2023

Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs best bets

Suns v Bulldogs AFL match preview

The improving Gold Coast Suns head to TIO Stadium in Darwin to face the surging Western Bulldogs in a round 11 contest that might be closer than it appears on paper. Both sides have enjoyed a lift in form during recent weeks after some enduring some disappointing early-season losses.

The Suns have played a solid five weeks of football with big wins over the Eagles, Kangaroos, and Tigers, and a hard-fought, five-point loss to the Demons. The only blemish during this run of form was a 43-point loss to the Lions at the Gabba in round 10.

Underpinning the improved showing, the Suns rank third in the competition for hitouts and clearances, fourth for kicks, and fifth for marks. The Gold Coast players ignore the temptation to throw handpasses to players under pressure, instead opting to stop, find a target, and pass the ball via foot.

After a slow start to the season, the Western Bulldogs are among the competition’s form teams with five straight wins. This winning run has thrust them into sixth spot on the ladder. The Dogs were far too strong for Adelaide at Mars Stadium in round 10, posting an easy 45-point win.

The Dogs are the league’s sixth most prolific tackling side, second best clearance team, and beat the Crows 164 to 129 on the contested possession count. Captain Marcus Bontempelli has led the recent charge and grabbed 30 possessions against Adelaide in another inspirational performance.

Suns v Bulldogs betting strategy

The Dogs open as warm favourites with the early line set at 11.5 points. They boast an excellent record at TIO Stadium, having won their last six visits to the Top End. This might be a hot, sweaty, hard-fought, low-scoring contest, so we are tipping the unders on the total points market. If the game was being held in the Gold Coast, we would happily take the Suns at the line, but we cannot overlook the Dogs’ strong record in Darwin.

Key matchup: Witts v English

Jarrod Witts vs Tim English

Gold Coast ruck Jarrod Witts won a massive 51 hitouts against the Lions in round 10 and continues to dominate that area of the game. Witts is averaging 39 hitouts and a tidy 5.3 clearances this season adding support to his midfield teammates. A lack of goals is the only weakness in his arsenal when compared to his rivals in the top bracket of AFL ruckmen. Witts has only found the big sticks on three occasions this year having played eight of ten rounds.

Bulldogs ruck Tim English continues to develop into one of the game’s premier big men with another lift in 2023. English averages 29.2 hitouts, 19.5 disposals, and 12 kicks across the opening 10 rounds. He has booted six goals and makes his presence felt across the park with aerial pressure. This shapes as a pivotal match-up between a pair of giants who love to jump and contest for the ball in the air.

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