Footy Form: North Melbourne well backed to beat depleted Western Bulldogs

PUNTERS are keen on North Melbourne against an injury-ravaged Western Bulldogs, while there is some support for Melbourne to upset Hawthorn.

PUNTERS are keen on North Melbourne against an injury-ravaged Western Bulldogs with 75 per cent of the support with them.

The Kangaroos were $1.80 at the start of the week but have the constant support has had them firm into $1.68.

The Bulldogs tested Geelong last week but lost stars Tom Liberatore and Jackson Macrae to injury and fell short in a brave effort.

That pair will miss but the Bulldogs regain veteran defenders Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris.

The Roos have found form in the past two weeks with comfortable wins over Collingwood and St Kilda, while the Dogs have lost their past two games.

North Melbourne has won five of its last six matches against the Bulldogs dating back to Round 19, 2012.

That loss was at Etihad Stadium in Round 23 last year when the Kangaroos made nine changes to their team.

At Etihad Stadium this season the Bulldogs have seven wins from 11 games and North Melbourne eight from 11.

THE MATCH

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Etihad Stadium, Saturday night, 7.25pm

BULLDOGS $2.25

ROOS $1.68

THE MARGINS

WESTERN BULLDOGS +4.5 points $2

NORTH MELBOURNE -4.5 points $1.80

North Melbourne has attracted 96 per cent of all bets on this market.

Daniel Wells evades Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore the last time the Roos and Dogs clashed. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Over 39.5 points $9

Under 39.5 points $2.70

NORTH MELBOURNE

Over 39.5 points $5.50

Under 39.5 points $2.20

Draw $51

MICK’S MULTI

Demons (+30.5) $1.90 + Suns (+40.5) $1.90 + Saints (win) $1.60 + Swans (win) $1.30

ODDS: $7.50

BET: $10

RETURN: $75

BETS OF NOTE FOR ROUND 20

$3000 Multi @ $1.59 — Sydney/Hawthorn/ GWS

$2,500 @ $1.77 — North Melbourne

$2,000 Multi @ $3.51 — GWS -40.5/Adelaide -75.5

$2,000 Multi @ $2.19 — Sydney/ North Melbourne

$2,000 @ $1.90 — Melbourne +34.5

$2,000 @ $1.80 — Adelaide -75.5

THE MATCH

MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

MCG, Saturday, 2.30pm

DEMONS $4.50

HAWKS $1.22

While most support has been for the Hawks to make it 10 wins in a row, there has been specking for the Demons to cause an upset.

Hawthorn has attracted 85 per cent of all bets but has drifted from $1.18 to $1.22 while Melbourne has firmed from $5 into $4.50.

Melbourne’s fortuitous win against Gold Coast ended a two-match losing run.

Melbourne hasn’t won two games in a row since Rounds 4 and 5.

The Hawks have dominated Melbourne in recent years with 13 straight wins since Round 2, 2007.

Melbourne’s last victory against Hawthorn was at the MCG in Round 8, 2006.

Originally published as Footy Form: North Melbourne well backed to beat depleted Western Bulldogs