Western Bulldogs v Collingwood: AFL betting preview, tip, insight & TV details

Free Australian Rules tips, best bets and analysis for Western Bulldogs v Collingwood in the AFL.

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 8.30am Friday

Best bet

Western Bulldogs
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Few clubs across Australian sport have the same following as Australian Rules royalty Collingwood Magpies.

The Melbourne club attract the highest attendances and television ratings of any sports team in Australia and have won the VFL or AFL title 15 times in an illustrious 128-year existence.

Veterans of a record 44 Grand Finals, the Magpies begin their assault on a record-equalling 16th crown across Melbourne at the Western Bulldogs.

By comparison to their Melbourne rivals, the Dogs have won just two Premierships in their history although that was four seasons ago whereas the Magpies last title came a decade ago.

They haven't finished higher than seventh since that 2016 title triumph but they finished last season extremely strongly, surging from 15th on the ladder halfway through the season to make the finals series, where they were eventually beaten by Grand Finalists Western Sydney.

The Dogs have recruited well in the off-season, adding Josh Bruce to their forward line and Alex Keath in defence to what is already regarded as one of the best midfields in the AFL containing current Champion Player of the Year Marcus Bontempelli.

Anything less than a deep run in the finals will be seen as a failure for both clubs in 2020 so it is unsurprising that bookmakers are struggling to split the young pretenders from their esteemed visitors for Friday's season opener, which will be played in the absence of fans due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Collingwood are the marginal favourites but the Bulldogs will be keen to confirm the theory that they could be genuine title challengers and may make a statement at the first time of asking.

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