Collingwood v Essendon AFL tips & odds | ANZAC Day 2025

Collingwood vs Essendon best bets

ANZAC Day AFL preview: Collingwood vs Essendon

Collingwood and Essendon face off in the traditional ANZAC Day clash at the MCG this Friday, and history suggests this will be a close contest.

While 10 places separate these teams on the AFL ladder, such details rarely matter when these two meet on April 25. Last season, this occasion ended in a draw, while five of the last six ANZAC Day meetings have been decided by three goals or less.

However, leading AFL bookmakers have the Magpies as clear favourites at $1.25, while the Bombers are at $4.20. The line is set at 25.5 points.

Last Thursday, the Pies put in a statement performance, beating Brisbane by 52 points at the Gabba. Craig McRae’s side were dominant at both ends of the ground, kicking eight goals in each half while restricting the defending premiers to a season-low 53 points in their first loss of the season.

Star midfielder Nick Daicos continued his excellent form with 38 disposals and a goal. As a result, top online bookies have him as the clear favourite for the ANZAC Day Medal at $3.60.

On a run of five straight wins, the Magpies are now on top of the ladder and outright favourites for the 2025 AFL Premiership at $6.

Essendon also enter this clash with solid form, after they beat the West Coast Eagles by two points last Friday. Despite trailing for most of the day, key forward Peter Wright kicked six goals to lift the Bombers to a third-straight win.

Beating Port Adelaide and Melbourne in the two weeks prior, a clash with the Magpies looks set to be a tough ask for Brad Scott’s side. However, if they are going to compete, expect captain Zach Merrett to play a key role, with major Australian betting sites giving him Essendon’s shortest odds for the ANZAC Day Medal at $10.

Collingwood vs Essendon R7 team news

Collingwood have been dealt a major blow for this clash with skipper Darcy Moore ruled out due to vertigo. Small forward Lachie Schultz is set to miss another week with a hamstring injury, but in more positive news defender Dan Houston is returning from concussion. Forward pairing Tim Membrey and Lachie Sullivan will be in the mix after missing last week, while Charlie Dean is a potential inclusion in defence.

Essendon lost their second ruckman in as many weeks against the Eagles, with Sam Draper suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. As a result, veteran big-man Todd Goldstein is set to play his first game for 2025. Wingman Xavier Duursma is available for selection despite suffering a big hit last Friday, while forward Kyle Langford has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Collingwood vs Essendon predictions – AFL Round 7

Collingwood are the form team in the AFL and rightful favourites in this clash. However, given the history of this game and the fact Essendon are also in decent form, don’t expect this to be a blowout. At $2.05 with leading sports bookmakers, back the Magpies to win by 40 points or less.

A key part of Collingwood’s strong start to the season has been the goalkicking efforts of their small forwards. Veteran Jamie Elliott has been especially dangerous, kicking multiple goals on four occasions, while he has had 10 scoring shots in the last two weeks. He has scored more goals against the Bombers than any other club, so expect Elliott to continue his strong form with two or more goals at $2.05 with Neds.

Playing his first game of the season last Friday, Peter Wright showed no signs of rust as he almost single-handedly carried Essendon over the line. He has kicked multiple goals in five of his last six meetings with the Pies, while the absence of Moore in the Collingwood defence is a major boost. Back Wright to keep the trend going with two or more goals at $2.50 with Unibet.

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