The biggest game of the home & away season takes place on Saturday afternoon as Essendon and Collingwood meet in the traditional Anzac Day clash. Can the Bombers continue their improvement and cause an upset? Or will the Pies get the job done?
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Bombers vs Magpies Anzac Day clash below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
Essendon vs Collingwood Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2026 Round 7
On The Improve
After a horrific start to the season, Essendon have put together a solid fortnight beating Melbourne, and going right to the wire against the Gold Coast away from home last week. The Bombers have scored 110 points in consecutive weeks after not scoring 100 points since Round 2 2025. Essendon’s senior players have lifted with Zach Merrett (34 disposals & 1 goal) and Darcy Parish (30 disposals) leading the way, while youngsters Archie Roberts (33 disposals) and Elijah Tsatas (25) continued their good form. Essendon’s work at the coalface has been excellent across the last fortnight recording +21 contested possessions and +16 clearances. There is still a long way to go for Essendon, but it appears there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Just Going
Collingwood evened the ledger at 3-3 after scraping past Carlton thanks to a miss after the siren from Talor Byrne. The Magpies trailed by 18 points at three quarter time, but Nick Daicos put the team on his shoulders and dragged Collingwood across the line with 39 disposals and a goal. Collingwood haven’t been playing great football, ranking 18th for clearances, 18th for contested possessions, 17th for groundball gets and 16th for points for. Another massive issue for Collingwood has been their inability to connect going inside 50, ranking last in the competition for inside 50 retention. Their inability to retain possession has seen them rank 17th for goals per inside 50. If they are to get to the levels they got to last year, they’re going to need to drastically improve their efficiency in the front half.
Recent Head to Head History
Since 2022 Collingwood have won five of their seven games against Essendon, and they’ve certainly had the better of the Anzac Day clashes over the last 20 years. Since 2006, have recorded 14 wins, four losses and one draw in Anzac Day clashes with Essendon’s last win on Anzac Day coming back in 2021.
Bombers or Magpies? Here’s our Essendon vs Collingwood Tip
Collingwood get a big boost at the selection table, with Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom returning to the lineup. Getting De Goey back will be huge for Collingwood’s hopes of turning around their struggles at clearance, particularly given Nick Daicos will likely be tagged by Andy McGrath. Although Essendon have shown an ability to play a style that should challenge Collingwood, it’s a big ask for such a young side to handle a big occasion. Collingwood’s experience all over the park will be crucial in a big game like this, and if their defence can strangle Essendon early, they will be able to control the tempo and win comfortably.
Collingwood -17.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Essendon vs Collingwood Prop Bet
After being picked up in the mid season draft last year, Archer May has begun to show some real promise when Peter Wright shifted into the ruck. May has kicked multi goals in three consecutive games, and will give an undersized Collingwood defence some real headaches if he can get supply.
Archer May 2+ Goals
$2.30
Essendon vs Collingwood Same Game Multi
Archer May 2+ Goals: As mentioned above, May is in great form and should get a beneficial matchup given the lack of height in Collingwood’s defence.
Nick Daicos 30+ Disposals: Week after week Daicos continues to produce brilliance, averaging 36 disposals per game in 2026. Daicos has reached the 30+ disposal mark in all five of his games this season, and has an excellent record against the Bombers. In his last four games against Essendon he has produced returns of 31, 31, 27, and 40 disposals.
Darcy Parish 25+ Disposals: After struggling to start the season, Darcy Parish has gotten back to his best over the last fortnight, recording 30 and 34 disposals. Parish loves playing against Collingwood, recording 25, 29, 27, 44, 21 and 42 disposals in his last six games against the Pies.
SGM odds: $4.20 at Dabble
Essendon vs Collingwood Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday 25th April
Time: 3:20pm AEST
Location: MCG, Melbourne
Odds: Essendon $3 vs Collingwood $1.40
Line: Collingwood -17.5
Points: 178.5
Where to Watch Essendon vs Collingwood
You can watch the Anzac Day clash on Channel 7 live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back in our 2026 AFL Tips at Dabble!
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