Lachie’s AFL Round 14 Preview: North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs | Betting Tips.

The final game of the round may not be a highly anticipated one, but there is still value in a match where both teams are looking to end their respective losing streaks.

North Melbourne, currently sitting at a lowly 17th on the ladder, have lost 11 games in a row. However, since Brett Ratten took over as caretaker coach, the Roos have shown improvement in their losses over the past month. They have managed to keep the margin relatively close against teams like the Swans, Giants, Bombers, and Pies, with some of those games being decided by a goal.

They will face the 8th-placed Western Bulldogs, who themselves are on a three-game losing streak that has been indicative of their season so far. The Bulldogs will be disappointed to have lost those games, but they were competitive in all of them and will be eager to get back to winning ways and solidify their position in the top eight.

In this afternoon’s match, I believe the Bulldogs will bounce back and secure a comfortable victory, covering the handicap of -27.5.

Home Ground Advantage: Although the game will officially be a North Melbourne home game, it will be played at Marvel Stadium, which is also the Bulldogs’ home ground. The Bulldogs have a strong record at Marvel Stadium, so they hold the advantage in this regard.

Motivation: The Bulldogs will be highly motivated to end their losing streak, and coach Luke Beveridge will demand a strong performance from his team. On the other hand, while the Roos have played well in recent weeks, the lack of specific motivation combined with their young lineup may result in a drop in performance. At this point in the season, the Roos have less at stake compared to the Bulldogs.

Head-to-Head: North Melbourne will likely be wary of their past encounters with the Western Bulldogs, as the net margin from the previous two games in 2021 and 2022 amounted to 198 points. Although the coach has changed since then, the Roos will still be conscious of the Bulldogs’ ability to match up well against them.

In conclusion, considering the Bulldogs’ motivation, their familiarity with the ground, and their historical performance against North Melbourne, I expect them to cover the -27.5 handicap.