05 Sep 2023 / admin

St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 AFL Final Round Week 1 Match Preview

⏰ 9 September 2023 - 15:20 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Marvel Stadium

On the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium. The clash between these two final hopefuls kicks off at 4:20 pm AEST. Australian betting sites have installed the Giants as narrow favourites heading into the game at $1.62. However, the Saints have proven tough to beat on their home deck this season, so expect a hard-fought contest from the two sides.

With only a few rounds left in the home and away season, this looms as an important game for both teams as they look to solidify a spot in the top 8. The Saints will be hoping to continue their push for a first finals berth since 2018.

Based on the closeness of the betting odds, this match is set to go down to the wire. Saints fans will be out in force at Marvel urging their team on, so the Giants face a tough task against the hostile crowd.

St Kilda host GWS Giants in an Elimination Final at the MCG on Saturday, September 3rd. There's little separating the two sides in AusBetSites head-to-head betting.

The Saints have been solid if unspectacular in 2023, finishing 6th with 13 wins from 23 games. The Giants have the same 13-10 record, missing a home final by under two goals on percentage.

GWS came in with strong recent form, winning nine of their last 11 matches. They sealed a finals spot by beating Carlton in Round 24, with Tom Green, Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene starring.

St Kilda went down to Brisbane by 12 points in their final regular season clash, with inaccuracy costing the Lions an even bigger win. Tim Membrey kicked three goals for the Saints, who welcome back Max King up forward.

Interestingly, the teams have never met at the MCG before. GWS have played just once at the venue in 2023, while the Saints are one from two this year.

Given their recent form and ability to win anywhere, the Giants might just have enough firepower to get past St Kilda this Saturday.

St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Head-to-Head

Recent history favours the Giants in this matchup, with GWS having won all 3 of the last 3 games played between these sides over the past 3 years. The Saints have been unable to beat the Giants in their last 3 clashes.

St Kilda Saints Performance

🟩🟥🟩🟩🟥 The Saints came into this match with mixed form, securing 3 wins from their last 5 games alongside 2 losses. St Kilda's recent record of 3 victories and 2 defeats highlights an inconsistent performance.

GWS Giants Performance

🟩🟩🟥🟥🟩 Similarly, the Giants have registered 3 wins and 2 losses in their last 5 outings. With 3 wins and 2 losses from their past 5 matches, GWS have also experienced patchy form leading into this contest.

📋 Players to watch:

Lachie Whitfield has averaged 27 disposals in his past three matches against the Saints.
Tom Green leads the competition for average disposals with 32 per game.
Jack Sinclair has had 25+ disposals in 11 of his past 12 matches, including 30+ in the past three rounds.
Brad Crouch has had 25+ disposals in 11 of his past 12 matches.
Jack Higgins has kicked nine goals in his past three clashes with GWS.
Toby Greene has kicked 60 goals this season, with 22 in his last seven rounds.

⚡ Match Facts:

GWS have won the last 3 H2H meetings against the Saints.
St Kilda have patchy form, with 3 wins and 2 losses from their last 5.
GWS also have an inconsistent record lately, with 3 wins and 2 losses in their past 5.

💡 Match Prediction:

Despite the poor H2H record, I give St Kilda a good chance to play here at home. The Saints will be motivated to make the finals. GWS may be missing some firepower without Greene, Ward and Whitfield. I expect a drop in performance. The Saints should have so much quality in the middle with Steele, Crouch and Hannebery.

Betting Tips: