Carlton vs Brisbane Prediction

Blue-saster at Marvel: Can Carlton Cry Their Way Inside +26.5?

Home • $4.25

Away • $1.21

Thursday • Marvel Stadium • 7.3°C Indoor

Looking at this Carlton vs Brisbane Thursday night clash at Marvel Stadium, I’ve been tracking both sides closely and the data tells a pretty clear story about where the smart money should land.

The numbers don’t lie – Carlton’s in freefall with just one win from their last seven, while Brisbane’s cruising at 7-2 since the bye.

That Elimination Final last year still stings for Blues fans, watching their side cop a 60-0 hiding in the first quarter before fighting back admirably. Sam Docherty’s comeback goal that night feels like ancient history now.

Last week painted the perfect picture of these teams’ trajectories. Brisbane demolished Port Adelaide 120-92 with Zac Bailey bagging five goals, while Carlton copped a 56-point belting from Collingwood at the MCG. The Blues managed just 59 points – their second sub-70 score in five weeks.

KRUZEY’S TIPS

After crunching these numbers all week, three bets caught my eye where the bookies might have missed the mark.

Brisbane’s dominance looks set to continue, but the total points market offers the best value given Carlton’s recent scoring woes and the chilly Melbourne conditions forecast.

BEST BET

LINE BETTING

Carlton +26.5

$3.90

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VALUE BET

Under 168.5 Total Points

$1.90

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SMART HEDGE

Brisbane Lions Head-to-Head

$1.21

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All odds from Unibet, correct at time of posting

KRUZEY MODEL VS MARKET

My model’s been spot on with Brisbane games lately, and this one shapes up as another Lions victory – though perhaps not as comfortable as the bookies suggest. The weather factor and Carlton’s desperation could keep things tighter than expected.

Our Data Says: Carlton 75, Brisbane 81 (based on season averages adjusted for recent form)

That gives Carlton a 42.4% win chance, Brisbane 57.6%

Bookmakers have Carlton at $4.25 (24% implied) vs Brisbane at $1.21 (83% implied)

The Market Edge: Carlton +26.5 offers value – our 6-point margin prediction vs market’s 26.5-point line represents significant edge

The bookies are overreacting to Carlton’s recent hammerings. Yes, they’re struggling, but a 26.5-point line at Marvel Stadium seems excessive.

Our Prediction

CAR 75 | BRI 81

Win Probability

CAR 42.4% | BRI 57.6%

Market Edge

20.5%

on Carlton

FORM LINE

Look, Carlton’s recent form reads like a horror story – two losses by 50+ points in their last five outings. They’ve averaged just 71.2 points during this stretch.

The defensive stats are even more concerning, conceding 110+ in two of those defeats.

Brisbane couldn’t be more different. Since their bye, they’ve transformed into a quality unit. Three wins from five with an average winning margin of 29 points tells you everything.

Their losses to GWS and Adelaide were competitive affairs, and they bounced back immediately with that Port Adelaide demolition.

Carlton Blues

LLWLL

Two 50+ point losses in last five games
Averaging 71.2 points per game
Conceded 110+ twice in that span

Brisbane Lions

WWLWW

Three wins from last five matches
Average winning margin of 29 points
Competitive losses to GWS and Adelaide

KEY STATS

The season averages reveal the gulf between these sides right now. Brisbane’s averaging 13 goals per game to Carlton’s 11.1 – that’s a 12-point differential before we even consider defensive form.

More telling is the efficiency numbers. Brisbane’s disposal efficiency sits at 72.6% compared to Carlton’s 70.2%.

Might not sound like much, but when you’re moving the ball under pressure at Marvel Stadium, those clean possessions become gold.

The Lions also edge the clearances (41.2 to 39.6) and inside 50s (56.2 to 54.9) – small margins that typically translate to scoreboard dominance.

GOALS PER GAME

Brisbane
13

Carlton
11.1

DISPOSAL EFFICIENCY

Brisbane
72.6

Carlton
70.2

CLEARANCES

Brisbane
41.2

Carlton
39.6

INSIDE 50s

Brisbane
56.2

Carlton
54.9

SELECTION WATCH

Team selections yet to be announced – we’ll update our analysis once the lineups drop.

THE FINAL WORD

Everything points to a Brisbane victory here, but the 26.5-point line feels like a trap. Carlton’s pride is on the line after copping multiple floggings, and Thursday night at Marvel Stadium often produces tighter contests than expected.

My best bet remains Carlton with the 26.5-point start – Brisbane should win but the margin feels inflated.

If you’re after value, that under 168.5 total points looks juicy given the conditions and Carlton’s recent scoring struggles.

Smart punters might also consider Brisbane head-to-head as a safe play. Sometimes the bookies overshoot the mark, and this feels like one of those times.

LOCK IT IN: Carlton +26.5 @ $3.90

Brisbane should win but Carlton +26.5 looks the best value given the inflated line and weather conditions.

BET NOW