Preview Round 18: Collingwood v Adelaide

AFL

Collingwood v Adelaide Sunday July 27, 4.40pm MCG Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 8 Max 16 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: NNW 28kph Betting: Collingwood $1.82 Adelaide $2.00

COLLINGWOOD has dropped four of its past five games and head into Sunday's clash with Adelaide seeking to get its season back on track. The clash has significant finals implications for both sides, as a Crows win would see them leapfrog the Magpies into the top eight. Adelaide pushed Hawthorn to within two goals last round, so come into the meeting with good form on its side. The Crows need to win this game to legitimise their finals hopes, while the loss of Dane Swan to a foot injury may be too much for the Magpies to overcome.

LAST FIVE TIMES

1. R9, 2014, Adelaide 10.16 (76) d Collingwood 7.13 (55) at Adelaide Oval
2. R16, 2013, Collingwood 17.9 (111) d Adelaide 12.12 (84) at MCG
3. R9, 2012, Collingwood 10.15 (75) d Adelaide 6.13 (49) at AAMI Stadium
4. R9, 2011, Collingwood 20.15 (135) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
5. R21, 2010, Collingwood 6.18 (54) d Adelaide 7.9 (51) at MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Josh Jenkins starred by booting four goals in Adelaide's round nine win over Collingwood, while the Magpies managed just one goal in the second half.
2. Collingwood has lost four of its past five games and struggled to score over this period, kicking an average of just 77 points per game while conceding 96.
3. The Magpies have been the worst clearance side in the League in 2014, averaging just 34.1 clearances per game. Adelaide has only fared marginally better, ranked 13th with 38.3.
4. Magpies forward Travis Cloke was held goalless for the fifth time this season against Essendon last round. In the 2012-2013 seasons combined, Cloke was held goalless just five times.
5. Collingwood has won nine of its previous nine contests against Adelaide in games played between the sides at the MCG.
6. Dane Swan is expected to miss the next three weeks with a foot injury. He remains Collingwood's third top performer in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Patrick Dangerfield is Adelaide's best-ranked player at No. 4 in the competition. 

Prediction: Adelaide by nine points