The Gabba will play host to Sunday's Round 20 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Sydney Swans heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs. Sydney Swans game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday August 1, 2021 at 7:50 pm
Where: The Gabba
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Essendon Bombers vs Sydney Swans Odds
Essendon Bombers vs Sydney Swans Preview
The Dons and the Swans will have a firm eye on the ladder ahead of another crucial game at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Essendon squandered an opportunity to secure a spot in the eight with a 13-point loss to GWS last week, a result that has left the Bombers on the outside looking in with four games to play.
The Swans are set to play finals from here, but they’ll be eager to lock in a top four spot with only four points separating them from Port.
Sydney heads into this game as the firm favourite after pounding Fremantle by 40 points last week and they’ll be eager to pick up the season sweep over the Bombers after winning by three points when they met in Round 4.
Buddy Franklin put on a show that night with a three-goal bag and his form since then does raise alarm bells for a Bombers outfit that struggled to contain Jesse Hogan at times last week.
Unfortunately, Buddy is set to miss this game due to a high hit last week, leaving the bulk of the work in the capable hands of Isaac Heeney, Luke Parker and Errol Gulden.
The Bombers are set to welcome a few key contributors back into the fold, but this still looks a tough ask against a Swans side looking to make a statement before the finals.
Sydney has played to a league best 12-6 record at the line this year, and I’m happy to take them to cover.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Sydney Swans to win at $1.45 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Tom Papley at $11.
Essendon Bombers vs Sydney Swans Teams
BOMBERS
B: Laverde, Francis, Redman
HB: Heppell, Ridley, Hind
C: Durham, Merrett, Cox
HF: Smith, Stewart, Perkins
F: Snelling, Wright, Stringer
FOLL: Draper, Langford, Parish
I/C: Cutler, Shiel, Clarke, McDonald-Tipungwuti
EMER: Guelfi, Waterman, Bryan, Ham
IN: Francis, Langford, Clarke
OUT: Hooker, Ham, Zaharakis (all omitted), Guelfi (Medi-Sub)
SWANS
B: Cunningham, Rampe, Fox
HB: Dawson, McCartin, Blakey
C: McInerney, Mills, Hewett
HF: Wicks, Heeney, Hayward
F: Papley, Franklin, Reid
FOLL: Hickey, Parker, Gulden
I/C: Lloyd, Florent, Kennedy, Bell
EMER: O’Riordan, Stephens, Gray, Sinclair
IN: Cunningham, Mills
OUT: Rowbottom, Ronke (both omitted), McLean (Medi-Sub)