Collingwood v Adelaide
Melbourne Cricket Ground,
Saturday, 12th September 2009
Kickoff 7:30pm local / 10:30am BST

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This game is do or die for both teams with no more second chances being available. Both sides are fighting to play the mighty Geelong Football Club in the preliminary final next weekend.

It is expected to be a terrific match in front of at least 75,000.

Collingwood Magpies

The Magpies stormed into the finals but were last week taught a footballing lesson by St Kilda who only allowed 52 points.

To add injury to woe, the Pies will lose Anthony Rocca who is a key forward target and Scott Pendlebury who is one of their most consistent and effective midfielders.

The players in line for Pendlebury's position are Sharrod Wellingham, Marty Clarke and Ryan Cook. They are all able players, however it is difficult to line them up against the quality Adeilade midfield.

The only possible saviour for the Pies might be the fact that the MCG is their home, and Adelaide only gets an oppurtunity to play there 2-3 times per year so could be a little unaccustomed to the venue.

Adelaide Crows

The Crows demolished Essendon last week by 96 points in a very lopsided final. They did it for fun over in Adelaide and now comes the real test.

On the injury front they have no new worries, but two of the bigger names in Nathan Bock and Nathan Van Berlo are highly doubtful with Van Berlo expected to miss the game.

This should not faze the Crows because the players in question are underdone and everyone in the current side have been firing anyway.

The Crows are probably the fittest and best coached team in the league and it seems that coach Neil Craig has got his team to fire at the right time of the year.

The Betting Verdict

Collingwood's forward line has struggled to kick big scores in the last two weeks against quality opposition and Adeliade is no exception.

The Crows have goalscoring options everywhere with Tippet, Porplyzia and Knights all regular multiple goal scorers in past weeks.

Also their midfielders pop up with regular goals. It is expected to be very difficult for the Pies to stop the Crows abundant number of goalkickers.

The Crows midfield of McLeod, Goodwin, Vince and Thompson will get their share of clearances and I have to select the Adelaide Crows To Win.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Adelaide Crows To Win @ 1.68 main bet.

For a slightly more adventurous bet try the Crows to win by over 15.5 pts at 2.25.