Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Preview & Tips - Pies to claim ANZAC Day win over Dons

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 23 Apr 2024

Ryan Tucker 23 Apr 2024

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Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies expert predictions for Thursday’s AFL game
Magpies hold a 17-10 record over the Bombers in ANZAC Day games
Tight contests expected as 6 of last 9 games between these teams have gone Under the Game Total

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Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers on ANZAC Day (Getty Images)

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Tips

The Bombers and Magpies meet in the traditional ANZAC Day game at the MCG with the Pies tipped to make it three wins in a row in the fixture.

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Tips
Head to Head
Essendon Bombers Form
Essendon Bombers Team News
Collingwood Magpies
Collingwood Magpies Team News

The Magpies hold a 17-10 record over the Bombers in ANZAC Day games with one draw, and the reigning premiers are hot on the back of three straight wins this year. I am backing them to win by less than 40 with the crowd getting them through the game.

Collingwood have won 13 of the last 17 ANZAC day games against Essendon
6 of the last 9 games between these teams have gone Under the Game Total
5 of the Magpies last 6 wins against the Bombers have all been by less than 40 points
Collingwood have less Inside 50’s than Essendon this season but have scored more goals indicating a more accurate forward line

Head to Head

Collingwood hold a commanding 6-3 lead in the head to head numbers over Essendon since the start of the 2019 season, not only in the ANZAC day matchups but in all regular season games.

The Magpies have won four games in a row with the last Essendon success coming in the 2021 season where they won both regular season games.

Only one of the last 9 games has finished with a margin of 40 points or more whilst six of the last nine have all gone Under the Game Total.

Essendon Bombers Form

Essendon have played wildly inconsistent footy so far this season. They scored over 100 points in their first two games of the season and even put 71 points past St Kilda in round 3, one of the best defensive teams in the comp.

But could then only muster 42 points against Port Adelaide at Gather Round back in the start of April.

They have now won two in a row in relatively tight contests with last weekend's game against Adelaide coming down to the wire with the Crows kicking three straight behinds at the end of the 4th quarter to lose by only 3 points.

The Bombers kicked 10 goals and 18 behinds and were lucky to get away with the win in the end.

Essendon Bombers Team News

Matt Guelfi is a chance to return against the Magpies but will need to pass a fitness test on his calf.

Collingwood Magpies

The Pies are starting to regain some ascendancy with a dominant 42 point win over Port Adelaide last weekend putting the defending premiers back on the map.

The Power were equal second on the AFL ladder heading into last weekend’s matchup and had not conceded more than 96 points to any opponent this season before Collingwoods 123 point bonanza.

It was also the first time the Magpies have scored over 100 points this season with their previous highest total of 92 coming against the Lions in round 3.

They had 66 Inside 50’s last weekend overshadowing their season average of 50.8 leading to the decisive victory.

Collingwood Magpies Team News

Scott Pendlebury was replaced in the fourth quarter in the big win over Port Adelaide last weekend more of a cautionary measure with the team being up by six goals.

Verdict

Essendon v Collingwood

Collingwood are finally starting to hit their straps and regain some of that 2023 form that won them the flag. In front of 90-odd thousand screaming fans, I am tipping the Pies to push their ANZAC day streak to three, taking a close win over the Bombers.

Collingwood 1-39

Winning Margin

@21/20 - 2 Units

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with bonus code NEWBONUS

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Bet at bet365

Under 165.5

Game Total

@8/9 - 1 Unit

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with bonus code NEWBONUS

Bet at bet365