Marvel Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 21 AFL game between Western Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 3:20 pm with Western Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon Bombers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday August 8, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Where: Marvel Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Odds
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Preview
The top of the table Bulldogs meet the top-eight hopeful Bombers on Sunday in a game that holds plenty of weight as far as the ladder is concerned.
Essendon has suffered back-to-back losses to GWS and Sydney heading in, but such is the nature of the 2021 season that the Bombers still find themselves within reach of playing finals.
The Dogs, meanwhile, are looking to establish a cushion between themselves and the second-placed Cats atop the ladder.
Luke Beveridge’s side recorded a statement win last week over the Crows to make it three on the trot, while they’ve also held the wood over the Dons recently with six consecutive wins dating back to 2016.
Another loss for the Bombers would be devastating to their final chances this week, especially following a very competitive effort against a serious flag contender like the Swans last Sunday.
Unfortunately, Essendon has been dealt another serious injury blow with skipper Dyson Heppell and Kyle Langford both suffering injuries last week.
Both look likely to sit out this week, leaving the Bombers at a serious disadvantage when it comes to leadership and overall talent on the park.
The Bulldogs are humming along nicely right now and it’s hard to see them coming undone after kicking a whopping 34 goals across their last two games.
Essendon should give this a red-hot crack with their season on the line, but this spells more heartache for Bomber fans with a couple of their stars missing.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Western Bulldogs to win at $1.21 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Aaron Naughton at $9.50.
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Teams
BULLDOGS
B: Wood, Cordy, Williams
HB: Daniel, Schache, Dale
C: Treloar, Liberatore, La.Hunter
HF: Johannisen, Naughton, B.Smith
F: Ugle-Hagan, Bruce, Dunkley
FOLL: English, Macrae, Bontempelli
I/C (extended): Richards, Duryea, Scott, Garcia, McNeil, Smith, Le.Young, Lipinski
IN: Treloar, Richards, Duryea, McNeil, Le.Young
OUT: Hannan (Illness), Weightman (Managed)
BOMBERS
B: Laverde, Stewart, Francis
HB: Redman, Ridley, Hind
C: Cutler, Merrett, Cox
HF: Smith, Stringer, Shiel
F: McDonald-Tipungwuti, Wright, Durham
FOLL: Draper, Snelling, Parish
I/C (extended): Gleeson, Clarke, Guelfi, Perkins, Ham, Waterman, Phillips, Hooker
IN: Gleeson, Guelfi, Phillips, Hooker, Waterman
OUT: Heppell, Langford (both injured)