AFL R6: Adelaide v Essendon betting preview, top picks & odds

Adelaide v Essendon best bets

Round 6: Crows v Bombers AFL match preview

Round six of the 2024 AFL Premiership season continues in Adelaide on Friday night with the Crows and Bombers both looking to kick on from their respective statement wins.

The Adelaide Crows came into their clash with Carlton last Saturday under all sorts of scrutiny after a winless opening month. However, they put it all together at Marvel Stadium against one of the early premiership fancies, coming from 16 points down in the final term to deal the Blues their first defeat of the season.

Essendon were also under immense pressure following their capitulation to Port Adelaide in round five, but they bounced back last Friday night with a four-quarter performance to beat the Western Bulldogs by 29 points. Emerging midfielder Sam Durham won widespread plaudits for his shutdown job on Marcus Bontempelli, while the Bombers defence held up well despite a significant height disadvantage.

The Crows will be missing Jordan Butts in defence after he suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in the win over Carlton. The club also confirmed this week that defender Patrick Parnell will undergo surgery for a shoulder injury sustained in round four, ruling him out for the rest of the year.

Essendon small forward Jye Menzie is set to miss the next two weeks after he was subbed out of last Friday’s win with a shoulder injury. Matt Guelfi (calf) is still at least a week away, so there could be a spot for specialist sub Nick Hind in the starting side. Midfielder Dylan Shiel returned from an oblique strain via the VFL last week, while Elijah Tsatas will also be in the mix.

Adelaide v Essendon R6 betting strategy

Adelaide have had a tough run of fixtures to open the season, but how much stock can we put in last week’s performance? By the same token, Essendon have been all over the shop to start the year. The Bombers have a strong record against the Crows in recent times, and although they can be shaky when travelling interstate, Brad Scott’s men should do enough to cover the +13.5 handicap at -109.89 with Bovada.

Crows skipper Jordan Dawson spent plenty of time forward against Carlton and proved a difficult matchup. Standing 6’3″ with an impressive reach, the former Swan is capable overhead and boasts one of the best kicks in the game. Dawson has booted a goal in each of the last two rounds and offers good value to continue that trend at +110 with the best AFL bookmakers.

But for some uncharacteristic lapses in front of goal, Essendon forward Kyle Langford could have finished with five against the Doggies. Since his positional switch last season, the versatile Bomber has emerged as one of the more consistent goalscorers in the AFL. Langford has kicked multiples in all but one game this year, and +165 is a decent price for him to boot three or more against the Crows.

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