Some strange scheduling in the AFL for Round 20 will see two matches played on Friday night, starting just 30 minutes apart from each other. First to get underway will be what’s likely to be a heavily one-sided matchup between the desperate Bulldogs and the depleted Bombers.
Below, we bring you our best bet, player prop, and Same Game Multi for the Bombers vs Bulldogs, with odds thanks to Dabble!
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2025 Round 20
Bombers Playing for Pride
Essendon’s nightmare season continues as they prepare to face the Western Bulldogs in the first of two Friday night clashes. The Bombers have been completely decimated by injury in 2025, a crisis that has seen their season spiral out of control. They currently have 15 players on their injury list, a number that has forced coach Brad Scott to constantly shuffle his lineup. There is a sliver of good news on the horizon, with the club set to regain promising youngster Nate Caddy and veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein for this week’s match. However, it does little to mask the grim reality of their situation, having lost by 48 points to the Giants last week, a result that extended their current losing streak to seven consecutive games.
Bulldogs Hopes Hanging by a Thread
For the Western Bulldogs, this match is a virtual elimination final. Their finals hopes are hanging by the thinnest of threads as they enter Round 20 sitting in ninth position. With five rounds remaining, they are effectively two games behind the eighth-placed team and cannot afford another slip-up. The Bulldogs have lost their last two games against quality opposition, most recently falling to the Brisbane Lions by 10 points in a hard-fought contest at the Gabba. While their on-field form has been patchy, the club received a massive off-field boost this week with superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli putting pen to paper on a new contract, securing his future at the Kennel.
Recent H2H History
Recent history and season-long statistics paint a grim picture for the Bombers. When these two sides met earlier this season in Round 10, the Bulldogs inflicted a humiliating 91-point thrashing. In that game, running defender Bailey Dale was unstoppable, gathering a remarkable 49 disposals. That victory was part of a dominant run for the Dogs, who have now won four of their last five meetings against Essendon. A telling statistic highlights the Bulldogs' season: they have a dismal 1-8 record against teams currently in the top eight, but a perfect 9-0 record against teams below them, a category the Bombers firmly fall into.
Will This Get Ugly? Here's our Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Tip
Given the context, this match shapes up as a percentage booster for the Bulldogs. They are the highest-scoring team in the competition by a significant margin and should have no trouble piling on the points against a depleted and demoralised Essendon defence. They put 127 points on the Bombers back in Round 10, and with Essendon's injury list only growing since then, another offensive explosion seems likely. Expect the Bulldogs’ potent forward line to dominate, with the team total of over 114.5 points looking very achievable.
Western Bulldogs Team Total Over 114.5
$1.89 (1.5 Units)
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Prop Bet
Our Best Player Prop Bet: Darcy 4+ Goals
After a couple of lean weeks against good opposition, Sam Darcy is poised to bounce back in a big way on Friday night. The Bombers have had a ridiculous amount of injuries to their tall timber and they’ll almost certainly get exposed by the Dogs tall forwards again here. There’s no good matchup for Darcy at the best of times, so expect him to fill his boots under the Marvel roof.
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Same Game Multi
Sam Darcy 3+ Goals: For the reasons mentioned in our prop bet above. Going a bit safer with three goals in our SGM.
Aaron Naughton 2+ Goals: In a similar boat, Naughton has too much size for the Bombers defence and should get on the end of a couple.
Bailey Dale 30+ Disposals: Coming off 33 disposals last week and had a quiet 49 touches when these sides met earlier in the year.
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Betting Odds & Match Info
Odds: Essendon $11 vs Western Bulldogs $1.04
Line: Western Bulldogs –52.5
Where to Watch Essendon vs Western Bulldogs
You can watch the Bombers vs Bulldogs on Channel 7 or live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Follow our Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Tips at Dabble!
