Prediction: Collingwood Magpies VS Gold Coast Suns 2025-07-11
Collingwood Magpies vs. Gold Coast Suns: A Data-Driven Dissection
By The Handicapper’s Almanac
Key Stats & Context
- Collingwood’s Dominance: The Magpies have won 8 straight games, including a 10-point buffer at the top of the ladder. Their recent form is as relentless as a kangaroo on a trampoline.
- Suns’ Survival Mode: Gold Coast sits 7th, needing a win to keep their top-eight hopes alive. They defeated Collingwood in Round 16 last year, but history is a fickle friend—especially when Brody Mihocek (Collingwood’s key forward) is sidelined.
- Lineup Updates:
- Collingwood: Mason Cox steps in for Mihocek; Steele Sidebottom and Lachie Schultz return. Cox’s aerial prowess could offset Mihocek’s absence.
- Suns: Jarrod Witts and David Swallow return, but Ned Moyle and Alex Sexton are out. Their defense will need to replicate last year’s Round 16 heroics.
Odds Breakdown
Head-to-Head (H2H) Odds:
- Collingwood: Decimal odds average 1.77 → Implied probability 56.49%.
- Gold Coast: Decimal odds average 2.01 → Implied probability 49.59%.
Spread: Collingwood -4.5 (-110) across all bookmakers.
Totals: Over/Under 170.5-171.5 at even odds.
EV Calculations & Underdog Win Rates
Assumption: Australian Rules Football (AFL) falls under the 41% underdog win rate category (aligned with soccer/hockey/baseball).
- Collingwood (Favorite):
- Implied probability: 56.49%.
- Adjusted probability:
- Favorite win rate = 59% (100% - 41%).
- Split difference: (56.49% + 59%) / 2 = 57.75%.
- EV: 57.75% (adjusted) > 56.49% (implied) → +1.26% edge.
- Gold Coast (Underdog):
- Implied probability: 49.59%.
- Adjusted probability:
- Split difference: (49.59% + 41%) / 2 = 45.3%.
- EV: 45.3% (adjusted) < 49.59% (implied) → -4.29% edge.
The Verdict: Why Collingwood is the Smart Play
- Mathematically: Collingwood’s adjusted probability (57.75%) outpaces their implied odds, offering a +1.26% EV. Gold Coast’s EV is negative, even with their underdog discount.
- Trends: Collingwood’s 8-game win streak isn’t just luck—it’s a machine. Their replacements (Cox, Sidebottom) are credible upgrades, while the Suns’ omissions (Moyle, Sexton) hurt their depth.
- Spread Insight: The -4.5 line is tight. If you’re feeling spicy, back Collingwood to cover, but the H2H bet is cleaner.
Final Call: Collingwood Magpies at 1.77. Bet like a boss, and let the Suns’ hopes crumble under the weight of their own expectations.
“The only thing more unstoppable than Collingwood’s forward line is the inevitability of the spread.” — The Handicapper’s Almanac
Created: July 11, 2025, 6:22 a.m. GMT