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Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Tips - Can the Bombers cause an upset in ANZAC Day blockbuster?

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu 24 Apr 2025 10:02

Adam Cusworth 24 Apr 2025

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Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers expert predictions for Friday’s Round 7 AFL game
The game will be played at MCG, with the bounce at 3:20 PM (AEST)
Who will take out the blockbuster ANZAC Day clash at the MCG?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Adam's Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Tips

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers, Round 7 2025 - Expert Prediction

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers, Round 7 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Collingwood Magpies Team News
Collingwood Magpies Team List
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Essendon Bombers Team News
Essendon Bombers Team List
Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7 FAQ’s

Collingwood can continue their hot start to the season with a win over their arch-rivals, Essendon in the ANZAC Day blockbuster at the MCG.

The Magpies come into this with five-straight wins with those coming at an average margin of 39 points. They have all been against finalists from last year and they conquered the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA in Round 6.

Nick Daicos was unstoppable in the middle, while the Pies variety of options in the forward line combined for 16 goals.

The Bombers will be no pushovers, however, and will be full of confidence, having won their past three. They were given a fright by the Eagles last weekend, hanging on by two points.

Sam Draper is a massive out from that match and if his replacement can feed the likes of Zach Merrett and Jye Caldwell, they will be in contention.

But the Magpies stingy game style that is based on pressure around the ground will restrict the Bombers from kicking a winning score.

Take the Pies to land between the 1-39 point margin. Daicos looks a lock for 30+ again. Essendon will have their fair share of contributors, including Zach Merrett, while Will Setterfield can bob up with a few disposals.

Three of Collingwood’s five wins this year have fallen in the 1-39 bracket, while it was nine of 12 in 2024
Four of Collingwood’s past five wins against Essendon have also been between the 1-39
Nick Daicos has averaged 33 disposals in his past three matches against Essendon
Zach Merrett has averaged 32 disposals in his past three matches against Collingwood

Head to Head

Collingwood won four in a row against Essendon before the tide turned last season with a thrilling draw on ANZAC Day before the Bombers took out the Round 17 fixture by 12 points.

Zach Merrett and Jye Caldwell both had 30 disposals in the most recent clash, while Steele Sidebottom had 34 disposals for Collingwood.

Merrett has averaged 32 disposals in his past three against the black and white, while Nick Daicos has averaged 33 for the Magpies. Kyle Langford has booted 10 from his past four for the Bombers.

Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
5-0	4-1	2-3

After dropping their Opening Round encounter to GWS by 52, Collingwood have responded with five straight wins. They have all been against finalists from last season and have come at an average margin of 39 points.

In their last five matches, the Magpies have conceded just 58 points per game. They have restricted their opponents heading inside 50 this season, ranking 3rd in fewest conceded.

Nick Daicos comes off 38 disposals and has hit 30+ in three of his six matches. Jack Crisp has provided plenty of rebound, hitting 20+ in five of six, while he picked up 19 in the other. Bobby Hill, Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek have all kicked 10 goals this season.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
4-2	2-4	3-0	2-1

Collingwood Magpies Team News

Darcy Moore copped a knock to the head last week but is clear of concussion and is expected to play. Lachie Sullivan was a late out but will be available. Dan Houston returns from suspension but Lachie Schultz is expected to be out for another week.

Collingwood Magpies Team List

B: B.Maynard, B.Frampton, D.Houston

HB: I.Quaynor, J.Howe, J.Daicos

C: J.Crisp, S.Sidebottom, P.Lipinski

HF: B.Hill, T.Membrey, J.De Goey

F: W.Hoskin-Elliott, D.McStay, B.Mihocek

FOLL: D.Cameron, N.Long, N.Daicos - C

I/C: J.Elliott, S.Pendlebury, H.Perryman, B.McCreery, L.Sullivan

EMG: E.Allan, W.Hayes, M.Cox

In: D.Houston, T.Membrey, L.Sullivan

Out: D.Moore (Injured), M.Cox (Omitted), E.Allan (Omitted)

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	2-3	2-3

Essendon have blown off the cobwebs and after dropping their first two matches, they have responded with three wins, albeit against easier opposition in Port Adelaide, Melbourne and West Coast.

The Bombers will look to put the clamps on Collingwood winning the clearances and top the competition for least clearances conceded. The loss of Draper might hurt their set-up but Goldstein is a more than handy replacement.

Essendon will look to play a keepings off style of game. They rank 2nd for disposals with Zach Merrett going at 32 per game, while Nic Martin has had 25+ in his past two. Peter Wright was a focal point up forward last weekend with six goals from his first game of the season. Draper is their leading goalkicker with seven goals from six matches. Jye Menzie and Zach Merrett have bobbed up at times this season and are going at 1+ per game.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
2-3	2-3	3-1	0-1

Essendon Bombers Team News

Star ruckman Sam Draper is out for an extended period with an achilles injury. The veteran, Todd Goldstein, is his likely replacement, while Vigo Visentini will be considered. Peter Wright will need to pinch hit in the middle. Elijah Tsatsas performed well in the VFL and is in line for a recall. Kyle Langford is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.

Essendon Bombers Team List

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley

HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior

C: X.Duursma, D.Shiel, A.Roberts

HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin

F: K.Langford, P.Wright, I.Kako

FOLL: T.Goldstein, Z.Merrett - C, S.Durham

I/C: B.Hobbs, W.Setterfield, A.Perkins, H.Jones, J.Menzie

EMG: E.Tsatas, L.Hayes, S.El-Hawli

In: K.Langford, T.Goldstein

Out: S.Draper (Injured), S.El-Hawli (Omitted)

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7 FAQ’s

How to watch Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7?

You can watch the Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7?

To buy tickets to the Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2025 Round 7 game check the AFL website or the official Collingwood Magpies site.

Verdict

Collingwood v Essendon

Collingwood to win against competitive Bombers side with Zach Merrett and Will Setterfield amongst the disposals

Collingwood 1-39

Winning Margin 1-39

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