AFL Preview: Saints v Kangaroos

St Kilda v Nth Melbourne
Sunday 3:20pm at Etihad Stadium

St Kilda need to win out to play finals football and it must start this week against the struggling North Melbourne.

FormSt Kilda are in 11^th spot with a 10-10 record and a need to win their final two games to be any hope of finals football. The Saints rank 11^th in scoring and 10^th in defence. St Kilda have faded badly with just one win in their last five games, heading into this off a poor loss to Melbourne. The Saints have been held to 72 or fewer in four of their last five.

North Melbourne are 16^th on the ladder with a 5-15 record. They rank 10^th in scoring but 16^th in defence. The Kangaroos have won just one of their last 10 matches,  a stirring victory over Top 8 team Melbourne. North have conceded 107 or more points in six of their last eight games.

Stats That Matter

– North Melbourne had won six straight against St Kilda before a Saints victory earlier this season.
– North have covered 5 of their last 7 against the Saints.
– The under has hit in 5 of the last 6 Saints-Roos games.
– The Saints have covered just 2 of their last 7 as a favourite at Etihad.
– North are 19-11 ATS as an underdog at Etihad.
– North are 15-5 ATS in Melbourne as an underdog of 12.5 or more.

Betting Data2017 Line: St Kilda 8-12, North Melbourne 8-12
2017 Over-Under: St Kilda 8-12, North Melbourne 11-9

What To ExpectNot a lot of confidence in this one with North’s poor recent form but the Kangaroos are definitely the bet here. The Roos are great in Melbourne as a decent outsider and the Saints are not a strong favourite at Etihad. North have a good recent record against the Saints, which adds to confidence.

How It’s Shaping UpNorth Melbourne by 3

Recommended Bet
North Melbourne +17.5 ($1.91)

Player MarketsBen Brown has been in outstanding goalscoring form of late with 23 goals in his last seven games and hauls of three or more in six of his last seven.

Recommended Bet
Ben Brown 4+ Goals ($2.00)