<p>In a rare fixturing win for the AFL this season, they’ve saved the best game of the round for last, with Adelaide and the Gold Coast facing off in the Sunday twilight. Two of the season’s biggest surprise packets, playing some of the most attractive football in the competition. Two finals contenders, and two teams not without a shot at winning it all this year, go head-to-head at the Adelaide Oval.</p> <p>The Crows ticked another big box in proving their premiership credentials last Saturday when they came to Marvel and thrashed the Bulldogs.</p> <p>The final margin was 11 points, after the Dogs kicked some junk-time goals, but it showcased the best of the Crows. Their backline was in sync, their forward line scored goals and hit the scoreboard, and their ball movement is getting slicker with each week.</p> <p>The Crows sit third on the ladder at 12-5, a game and a healthy percentage clear of five teams below them, all level on 44 points. They must keep winning to avoid falling back into the pack.</p> <p>The Suns couldn’t have been more impressive last week, sending a statement to the entire footy world.</p> <p>Hosting their first Friday night game at Carrara, the Suns came to play, bursting out of the blocks against the Pies, then working hard late to secure the result they deserved from the start.</p> <p>All their midfield stars fired. Matt Rowell reaffirmed his status as a star when he entered the league in a blaze of glory, while Noah Anderson is quickly climbing the lists of the best midfielders in the competition. Those two best mates won the game for the Suns and will lead this club forward brilliantly.</p> <p>Of course, our memories are still vivid from the incredible game they played earlier this year up on the Coast. The Suns scraped a one-point win when the match ended in controversy, with the AFL having to come out post-game and apologise to the Crows for a free-kick that was wrongly not paid to one of their players and ended up costing them the game.</p> <p>The buildup has been big and increasingly spicy… we’re already looking forward to the Mac Andrew and Riley Thilthorpe 1v1 duel.</p> <p>Regarding team selections, the Crows will face at least two forced changes this week, with key defender Jordon Butts ruled out with a punctured lung, and Brayden Cook sidelined with concussion.</p> <p>Nick Murray is likely to replace Butts, while the Crows' match committee has several options, including Luke Pedlar, Lachie Murphy, Sid Draper, Luke Nankervis, and Billy Dowling, all performing well in the SANFL.</p> <p>For the Suns, a significant forced change is expected with Touk Miller injuring his hamstring, now racing against time to return before the finals.</p> <p>Key defender Sam Collins must pass his fitness test and will be a massive asset in countering the Crows’ forward line. Leo Lombard and Nick Holman are also options under consideration.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Crows vs Suns prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Gold Coast Suns Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Josh Worrell, Nick Murray, Rory Laird</p> <p>HB: Mitch Hinge, Mark Keane, Max Michalanney</p> <p>C: Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson, Dan Curtin</p> <p>HF: Ben Keays, Riley Thilthorpe, Alex Neal-Bullen</p> <p>F: Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker,&nbsp;</p> <p>Foll: Reilly O’Brien, Sam Berry, Jake Soligo</p> <p>Int: James Peatling, Wayne Milera, Chayce Jones, Zac Taylor, Luke Pedlar</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: John Noble, Mac Andrew, Daniel Rioli</p> <p>C: Lachie Weller, Bailey Humphrey, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jed Walter, Sam Flanders</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Connor Budarick</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Sam Clohesy, Ethan Read, Joel Jeffrey, David Swallow, Leo Lombard</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Gold Coast Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Suns hold sway in the recent head-to-head battles, winning four of the past five matches against the Crows.&nbsp;</p> <p>But, for all that recent dominance, the Suns have never won at Adelaide Oval.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both these sides are evenly matched on both offenses, with the Crows ranked third and the Suns ranked sixth. The discrepancy between the defence should give the Crows the slight edge with the Crows backline ranked second compared to the Suns back in eighth spot.&nbsp;</p> <p>There is no lack of attacking prowess for the Crows with Riley Thilthorpe booting 39 goals (sixth in AFL), Darcy Fogarty has 34 (10th), Ben Keays 27 (23rd) and Taylor Walker 26 (26th) to examine that defensive profile of the Suns.</p> <p>Only Geelong has scored more points (total) this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>It should be a belter again, but with it being in Adelaide and the Suns having never won there, we’re picking the Crows.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-gold-coast-suns-9386470">Crows</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Izak Rankine has never won against his old side. He’s never really had a chance to have a day out against the Suns either, having been well held on all occasions thus far.</p> <p>This time, we think it might be a different Izak, who looks to make a point with the first goal of the game.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-gold-coast-suns-9386470">Izak Rankine&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>With Touk Miller out of the side, Sam Flanders looks like he’s going to step into the on-ball role full-time and pick up the slack.</p> <p>The former pick 11 was prolific last year in winning the ball, but has been kept out of the midfield this year, partially due to a late start because of injury, and the crew currently in there have been doing a job.</p> <p>We’re backing him to lead all comers here, and give his coach Damien Hardwick something to think about when it comes to his starting midfield mix..</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-gold-coast-suns-9386470">Sam Flanders 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Gold Coast Suns Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date</strong>: Sunday, July 20, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce</strong>: 4:40pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide</p> <p><strong>How to watch</strong>: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports&nbsp;</p>