AFL 2025 Round 20 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Round 19 saw a couple of teams really flex their muscles on Sunday afternoon, with the Dockers and the Crows the most impressive performers of the weekend as they look to secure a spot in the top eight and/or the top four. Meanwhile, two straight losses to the Magpies has put their spot atop the ladder in jeopardy, while further down the ladder just a game separates 4th from 7th. A number of teams currently in the top 8 have what look likely to be easy wins in Round 20, but with percentage likely to play a role in who finishes where at the end of the home and away season, winning is not the only thing that matters over the remaining weeks; so too do the margins of those wins. The round kicks off with the Hawks looking to jump into the top 4 against the Blues on Thursday night, and on this page the resident footy expert at Australianbettingsites provides his previews and AFL tips for all nine games across Round 20.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 24th of July
• First bounce: 7.30pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, SA), 7Mate (NSW, QLD, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$1.17	$5.10
	$1.19	$4.80
	$1.17	$5.00

Match Analysis

The Hawks are building nicely as we near the end of the home-and-away season, and this week get a great opportunity to jump into the top four – at least for a day or two. Their brilliant form in Tasmania continued with a strong win over the Power in blustery conditions last weekend, bouncing straight back from a loss against the Dockers the week prior to make it five wins from their last six.

The Blues had a win of their own on Saturday, but while that will serve to keep the critics at bay for a few days, it does little to change the fact that this season has largely been an unmitigated disaster for the football club. At 7-11, they are still too far back to make a run for the finals, and have a tough few weeks of games coming up.

Carlton do still have numerous very good players running around and look a hell of a lot more potent when Charlie Curnow is playing like he did last week, so the Hawks certainly can’t expect to just stroll into the MCG and pick up the four points without getting out of first gear. But last year’s semi-finalists are playing some of their best footy of the season at the right time, and against inferior opposition should pick up yet another win relatively comfortably.

Expert Tip

Hawks -29.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Hawks are in good form but with a tough last month of games, need to win this one, and ideally win it well.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 160.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet
• Patrick Cripps to record 25+ disposals @ $1.87 with Bet365

• Date: Friday, 25th of July
• First bounce: 7.20pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, SA), 7Mate (QLD, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$11.00	$1.04
	$11.00	$1.04
	$11.00	$1.04

Match Analysis

The Bombers’ raft of games in primetime slots over the last few weeks of the season has been the subject of plenty of criticism, not that the AFL could have predicted the horrendous injury list they have been dealt. Still, last week’s uninspiring clash with the Giants was far from the blockbuster Thursday night games we’ve come to expect, and this Friday night clash will likely deliver more of the same.

It's no secret that the Bulldogs have made a habit of beating up on the bottom teams. Unfortunately for them that hasn’t translated to wins against fellow finals contenders, last week’s loss to the Lions taking them to 1-7 against the top 8, but once again they were far from disgraced in that game and could easily have won it.

The Bulldogs are absolutely brimming with talent, and while question marks will remain around their Premiership relevance for as long as they continue to struggle against the top teams, the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Sam Darcy and Tom Liberatore, to name just a few, will likely run absolute rings around the decimated Bombers. Under the roof at Marvel Stadium, there will be no stopping the Doggies’ trademark ball movement, and they will likely put up a big score and subject the Bombers to a hefty defeat.

Expert Tip

Over 177.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

Five of the Bulldogs’ last six games have yielded at least 190 points, and under the roof at Marvel this one should be similar.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Bulldogs to win by 60+ @ $2.30 with PlayUp
• Aaron Naughton to kick 4+ goals @ $2.40 with Bet365

• Date: Friday, 25th of July
• First bounce: 7.50pm AEST
• Venue: ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (NSW), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$1.55	$2.45
	$1.54	$2.50
	$1.56	$2.42

Match Analysis

Fortunately, the likely thrashing of the Bombers by the Bulldogs isn’t the only option for viewers on Friday night. Whether having multiple Friday night games on at the same time is the way to go in the long-term is up for debate, but for this weekend at least, this clash will be welcomed by neutrals hoping to watch a decent game of footy.

The Battle of the Bridge has become a genuinely good rivalry over the past few years, and this should be an intriguing edition of it, with plenty riding on the game for both teams. The Giants are flying with seven wins from their past eight to put themselves in the mix for the top four, while the Swans are just hanging on to finals contention following five wins from their past six. For GWS, making the top four and missing the top eight are both realistic possibilities, making each of their remaining games absolutely pivotal. The Swans, meanwhile, probably can’t afford to lose another game if they’re to even have a chance of playing finals.

With both teams in really good form and a huge amount on the line, this will likely be a fiercely contested game from the outset. The Swans are not the team they were in the first half of last year, but they are now at least vaguely resembling that side and should put up a good fight. Their forward line, however, remains an issue, and against a really strong Giants’ back six they might struggle to put up a winning score. This game should be evenly matched in the midfield and both teams will give their forward lines ample scoring opportunity, but the Giants should be able to take better advantage and snuff out the Swans’ finals chances with a hard-fought win.

Expert Tip

Giants to win by 1-24 @ $3.10 with Bet365

Both these teams are playing really well and this could easily be a tight game, but the Giants are a more well-balanced team across the field and should be expecting to win.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Giants to win by 1-39 @ $2.20 with PlayUp
• Isaac Heeney to kick 2+ goals @ $1.83 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• First bounce: 1.20pm AEST
• Venue: People First Stadium, Gold Coast
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (QLD), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$2.30	$1.62
	$2.25	$1.65
	$2.32	$1.61

Match Analysis

This has been the best season in the Suns’ history and one in which they will likely play finals for the first time. But they were disappointing against the Crows on Sunday, and now face a tough matchup against the reigning Premiers in the 29th edition of the QClash. The Suns do have a game in hand over their fellow finals contenders which should hold them in good stead, but that loss to Adelaide has seen them fall to 8th and if they lose this one, they will likely end the round outside the top 8.

A few spots further up, the Lions suddenly have an opportunity to snatch top spot on the ladder. Their ten-point win over the Bulldogs last weekend was their fourth in a row, and with the Magpies losing two on the trot the difference between the two is now just half a game. With the Crows just half a game further back, however, more important for the Lions will be remaining inside the top two and earning a potential run to the Grand Final without having to leave the Gabba.

There is plenty riding on this game for both teams, and with the Suns deeper in the finals mix than they ever have been before, this is probably the biggest edition of the Queensland rivalry in history. The Suns will come out all guns blazing as they look to topple their more established intrastate rival, but the Lions are so good all across the field and are playing some of their most consistent footy of the year. Betting sites look like they’re being a little too generous to the Suns here, and expect class and experience to win out.

Expert Tip

Lions -7.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Suns still have a bit to prove, and failed arguably an easier test than this one last week miserably.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Lions 25+ @ $3.20 with Bet365
• Under 153.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Max Holmes to record 30+ disposals @ $3.00 with Bet365 – Max Holmes is having the best season of his career by some margin, and is in the best form of it over the past few weeks. He’s had 30+ touches in four of his last six and in what should be an easy win for his Cats, $3 looks like big overs to do it again.
• Caleb Serong to record 35+ disposals @ $4.33 with Bet365 – Serong has had a couple of down games of late, but when he gets going he is as capable of high-possession games as anyone in the league. He’s racked up 35+ six times in 18 games this year and in three of his last six, and is a great chance to do so at odds against a meek opposing midfield.
• Zak Butters to record 30+ disposals @ $2.15 with Bet365 – Butters is a player who loves a big occasion, and his past performances in Showdown’s is testament to that. He’s racked up at least 32 touches the last four times Port have played Adelaide, averaging 35 per game.

Same Game Multi Tip

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• First bounce: 4.15pm AEST
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$1.03	$12.00
	$1.05	$10.00
	$1.03	$12.25

Match Analysis

Of all the derbies, showdowns, battles and whatever else you want to call the cross-town clashes this weekend, this one will spark the least interest among neutrals. Not so for Dockers fans though; their brilliant one-point win over the Magpies at the MCG last Sunday was one of their best wins in years, and while they remain in 7th, they have now won eight of their last nine and are establishing themselves as a legitimate potential threat in September.

The Eagles did some establishing of their own last weekend, locking themselves into bottom spot with a thrashing at the hands of the Tigers, of all teams. At 1-17, they are now three-and-a-half games clear at the bottom of the ladder.

It’s hard to see the Eagles giving this any sort of a shake at all. The Dockers are not exactly renowned for demolishing poor teams, but this is the easiest match-up they have had in some time. If the Eagles can keep this one within seven or eight goals, it would be a surprise.

Expert Tip

Dockers -50.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Dockers could barely cover this line at home against the Tigers last weekend.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Caleb Serong to record 35+ disposals @ $4.33 with Bet365
• Patrick Voss to kick 3+ goals @ $2.30 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• First bounce: 7.35pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$7.50	$1.09
	$7.50	$1.09
	$7.20	$1.09

Match Analysis

The Kangaroos were at least reasonably competitive against the Swans last weekend, but the end result was their fourth consecutive margin by a comfortable margin. And with the Tigers securing a second straight win, the Roos once again fell into the bottom two, where they have lived for virtually the entirety of this decade.

Compare that with the Cats, who have – somewhat ridiculously – never even finished lower than 12th and are set for yet another top four tilt. Though they’ve picked up a couple of losses in the past month, they were too good for the Saints last weekend and their 12th win of the season kept them inside the top 4 – just. But with just percentage separating four teams from 4th to 7th, every result – and every goal – will be pivotal over the last few weeks of the season.

These two teams could hardly be more disparate in their performances over the past few years, and not much has changed this year. The Roos are getting better on paper and a climb up the ladder should happen over the next couple of years, but they’re not yet any match for the Cats and will likely be in for a drubbing on Saturday night.

Expert Tip

Cats -40.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

The big losses are starting to mount for the Kangaroos, while the Cats would welcome a percentage boost.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Jeremy Cameron to kick 5+ goals @ $3.00 with Bet365
• Max Holmes to record 30+ disposals @ $3.00 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• First bounce: 8.10pm AEST
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (SA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$1.17	$5.10
	$1.19	$4.80
	$1.17	$5.00

Match Analysis

With each passing week, the Crows are increasingly firming as Premiership contenders, and Sunday’s demolition of the Suns in Adelaide was another step forward. They’ve now won four games on the trot, sit just a game from the Pies in top spot and have the best percentage in the league, and with a reasonably friendly draw in the run home they should really be finishing top four and potentially top two. Of course, if they can’t get over the Power that will change things dramatically, but it’s hard to see that happening.

Port are by no means a terrible team, but they lack depth and Ken Hinkley’s final season in charge has been a relatively disappointing one. A comfortable loss to the Hawks last weekend again highlighted the gap between them and the top teams in the league, and they now face an arguably sterner test against the Crows.

Showdown’s do have a tendency of throwing up rogue results and both teams should come out firing, but the fact of the matter is that there is a big gap between the City of Churches’ two teams at the moment. The Crows are firing on all cylinders right now and have grand ambitions over the coming months, and should be able to further solidify their spot in the top four with another win.

Expert Tip

Crows to win by 1-39 @ $2.05 with Bet365

The Crows should win, but showers are forecast which should keep the scores low and the margin reasonably close.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 151.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet
• Zak Butters to record 30+ disposals @ $2.15 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 27th of July
• First bounce: 2.10pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$10.00	$1.05
	$8.50	$1.07
	$10.00	$1.05

Match Analysis

The Tigers have won more games in the last fortnight than many expected them to win all season, back-to-back victories taking their tally to five for the year. Granted they were against an injury-depleted Bombers and the Eagles, but given the youth of the Tigers’ list, any win is worth celebrating. Regardless of what happens over the coming weeks it’s been a better-than-expected season for the Tigs in 2025, but the fun of the last fortnight will likely come to an end at the MCG this Sunday.

The Magpies, in contrast, have lost two on the trot after winning 14 of their previous 15, their one-point loss to the Dockers on Sunday following a six-point defeat at the hands of the Suns the week prior. That has put their previously secure spot at the top of the ladder in jeopardy, and with the form of the Crows, even their spot in the top two is not assured.

Few would have expected these two teams to face off with the Tiges on a two-game winning streak and the Magpies a two-game losing streak, but here we are. But those form lines do nothing to change the huge gap between these two proud clubs. The young Tigers will bring plenty of tenacity, but that won’t be enough to stop the Maggies winning pretty comfortably.

Expert Tip

Magpies to win by 1-39 @ $2.70 with PlayUp

This one is a case of the Magpies by how much, but with rain forecast they look like value to only win by 1-39 points.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 155.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet
• Dion Prestia to record 25+ disposals @ $1.87 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 27th of July
• First bounce: 3.15pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC), 7Mate (NSW), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Team A Odds	Team B Odds
	$2.05	$1.77
	$2.02	$1.79
	$2.05	$1.78

Match Analysis

Round 20 concludes with a relatively inconsequential clash between two teams currently firmly mired in AFL purgatory. Neither the Saints nor the Demons are in the finals mix but neither has a particularly young list either, and the way forward for each of them is unclear.

The Saints have lost six games in a row to fall to 5-13, and aside from Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera establishing himself among the game’s absolute elites, do not have all that much to cheer about at the minute. The Demons, meanwhile, have lost six of their past seven games, and were unable to get past even the equally disappointing Blues last weekend after notching up a rare win against the Kangaroos the week prior.

Neither team has much to play for beyond pride, and this is not likely to be one for the ages. It may, however, be very close. Little separates these two teams at the minute – and not in a good way – and this is a rare opportunity for victory for both of them. It should be a tight tussle, but at Marvel Stadium the Saints look like decent value as the underdog on the betting apps to pick up a sixth win of the year.

Expert Tip

Saints to win outright @ $2.05 with EliteBet

This one is a toss of the coin, so at better than even money odds the Saints look like a decent bet.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Saints to win by 1-39 @ $2.50 with EliteBet
• Saints to win by 1-24 @ $3.50 with PlayUp