<p>It’s time for the latest edition of ‘The Expansion Cup’ when the GWS Giants host the Gold Coast on Sunday in Western Sydney.&nbsp;</p> <p>The yo-yoing season of the Giants continued last Saturday when they stormed home late to overcome the reigning premiers. Ably led by Jesse Hogan and young star Aaron Cadman up front, in the absence of Toby Greene, they managed to keep their season afloat.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sitting inside the top eight at 8-6, they remain difficult to gauge. However, they head into this game with a chance to significantly boost their top-four hopes against their fellow expansion team.</p> <p>Fortunately for the Suns, they didn't lose any ground on their top-four contenders during their bye last week and have a golden opportunity ahead to not only step closer to their first-ever finals appearance but also create a gap between themselves and the other teams vying for a top-four position. To do that, though, they will need to break a couple of hoodoos.</p> <p>One is their poor record after the bye, and the other is their dreadful record at ENGIE Stadium. Given how this season is shaping up, the winner of this match might find themselves in a prime position to secure one of those elusive double-chance spots by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the selection front, the Giants faced a setback this week when it was revealed that key defender Sam Taylor would be sidelined for at least a month due to a broken toe. Additionally, there was a further blow for small forward Brent Daniels, who has been dealing with abdominal issues for some time now and will miss some more footy because of it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Meanwhile, skipper Toby Greene should be ready to return to the team after withdrawing late from the win over the Lions, and he appears to have recovered well. Off-season recruit Jake Stringer could also be available to return following a hamstring injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the Suns, fresh off a bye, they might call on speedy winger Lachie Weller, who could return from a long-term hamstring injury. However, Damien Hardwick wouldn’t be panicking just yet, as he still has a well-settled team for now.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Giants vs Suns prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>GWS Giants Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Connor Idun, Leek Aleer, Harry Himmelberg</p> <p>HB: Lachie Whitfield, Jack Buckley, Lachie Ash</p> <p>C: Xavier O’Halloran, Finn Callaghan, Josh Kelly</p> <p>HF: Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Darcy Jones</p> <p>F: Callum Brown, Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi</p> <p>Foll: Nick Madden, Tom Green, Toby Bedford</p> <p>Int: Joe Fonti, Harvey Thomas, Harry Rowston, Toby McMullin, Jacob Wehr</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Joel Jeffrey, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: John Noble, Mac Andrew, Daniel Rioli</p> <p>C: Sam Clohesy, Matt Rowell, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Leo Lombard, Jed Walter, Bailey Humphrey</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Sam Flanders&nbsp;</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Nick Holman, Sean Lemmens, David Swallow, Bodhi Uwland, Ben Ainsworth</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Giants have owned the ‘Expansion Cup’, winning nine of the past 10 head-to-head matches against the Suns.</p> <p>While this is a different Gold Coast team this year than those who have competed beforehand, they will need to overcome a serious hoodoo, having never won out at ENGIE Stadium, and losing all games by an average margin of 66 points.</p> <p>The loss of Sam Taylor for the Giants is significant. The Giants conceded the most inside 50s in the competition, but due to the strength of their backline, predominantly the marking power of Sam Taylor, rebounding strongly, ranking first in the competition for rebounding and chaining the ball out of defence.</p> <p>The Suns' fluency of ball movement from their back half through Noble and Rioli, into the tall targets up forward in King, Walter, and Long, should be where they look to get an advantage in this game.</p> <p>We still can’t get a read on the Giants given their inconsistencies, but history is telling us to back the home side here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-gold-coast-suns-9296628">Giants</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>The Suns have key position weapons ahead of the ball in King and Walter, but it’s their mid-sized forwards that have elevated the Suns into contenders this year.</p> <p>One of those threats is Bailey Humphrey, who is building into the top-five pick he was always tipped to be. While he’s been quiet in front of goals the past few weeks, we’re tipping him to bounce back and open the scoring against the Giants.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-gold-coast-suns-9296628">Bailey Humphrey</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Daniel Rioli has played in plenty of big games and Grand Finals… But he’s never played in an expansion cup before. So, it’s a big occasion for the former Richmond dasher.</p> <p>Averaging 19.8 disposals a game this season, his last few games have either been just below or just above the 20-disposal mark. We’re tipping him for a big one here on the wide expanses of the Showgrounds.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-gold-coast-suns-9296628">Daniel Rioli 25+ disposals</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, June 22, 2025.</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 1:10pm&nbsp; AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> ENGIE Stadium, Sydney.</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>