Essendon host West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday with both teams looking to build on recent victories.
The Bombers had a nice win against Geelong last week, racing out to an early lead and then holding on against the Cat comeback to run out the victors.
They’ve now got a 4-4 record after eight games which puts them in the mix to be a finals team with a bit of luck, but of course like every other side they need to keep winning.
For this first time this year they’ve decided to make no changes to their line-up, suggesting that they are starting to find a nice, settled best 22.
They’re up against West Coast who, despite some jitters, have quietly built themselves up to contender status.
The Eagles have had two bad losses at the MCG this year, against Richmond and Hawthorn, but aside from that have won every game they’ve played.
Last week they held out for an eight-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. It gives them a pretty decent break coming into this game.
They have only a single change this week, bringing back Jamie Cripps and dropping Josh Hill, a fairly standard ‘like for like’ change.
Both teams have similar game styles built around good skills and controlling the ball, and both have forward lines with spearheads that play great if sometimes inaccurate footy.
You’d have to say West Coast do it a little better at the moment though, so the only real question is whether or not the home ground advantage swings this in favour of Essendon.
Something to be worried about for West Coast is that the last four times these teams have met at Etihad, it was an Essendon victory.
That being the case, perhaps Essendon for an upset win by 1-39 points at $3 is the best value on offer.