<p>Old rivals Carlton and Essendon meet at the MCG for the now-traditional King's Birthday Eve clash.&nbsp;</p> <p>These clashes are always significant events, given the disdain both teams and their fanbases have for one another. But for Carlton, this represents yet another D-Day in season 2025.</p> <p>Heading into the second half of the season at 4-7, not much has gone right for the Blues this year. However, Sunday marks the start of a month of games in which they could get back on an even keel and revive their season.</p> <p>The Bombers, hampered by injuries to their taller players, earned few admirers last Thursday night when they went to Brisbane and gave the reigning premiers a close match. Boy, Nate Caddy… welcome to the big time, son.&nbsp;</p> <p>At 6-5 with a game in hand, all their six wins have come against teams far from the top eight. So, naturally, you’d expect the Dons to have another chance to add a victory here given the Blues’ current struggles.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s a must-win game for both clubs. The Blues need a win to salvage their season, while the Bombers must keep winning to stay in touch with the top-eight teams.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the selection front, the Blues are set for a boost with the return of both Jack Silvagni and Zac Williams from injury. Jordan Boyd is available after passing through concussion protocols and should come straight back in.</p> <p>For the Bombers, star midfielder Darcy Parish will play his first game of the season after successfully returning from a long-term calf issue, following a couple of weeks in the VFL. Thankfully for the Bombers, there were no new injuries to worry about following their loss to the Lions.&nbsp;</p> <p>With wet weather forecast for Sunday, it remains to be seen whether the Bombers will unveil any of their new tall timber acquired from the mid-season draft or instead rely on the pairing of Peter Wright and Caddy up front. Mid-season draftee (and former Carlton VFL skipper) Liam McMahon played at both ends in the VFL for Essendon last week and could be in for a dream AFL debut against the club where he had spent time but was ultimately told no by several times when it came to getting onto their senior list.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Blues vs Bombers prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Essendon Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlton Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nick Haynes, Jacob Weitering, Matt Carroll</p> <p>HB: Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Sam Docherty</p> <p>C: Ollie Hollands, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh</p> <p>HF: Alex Cincotta, Charlie Curnow, Will White</p> <p>F: Zac Williams, Harry McKay, Corey Durdin</p> <p>Foll: Tom De Koning, George Hewett, Adam Cerra</p> <p>Int: Jack Silvagni, Cooper Lord, Blake Acres, Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Andy McGrath, Jayden Laverde, Archie Roberts `</p> <p>HB: Mason Redman, Will Setterfield, Jaxon Prior</p> <p>C: Xavier Duursma, Zach Merrett, Angus Clarke</p> <p>HF: Darcy Parish, Nate Caddy, Nic Martin</p> <p>F: Ben Hobbs, Peter Wright, Isaac Kako</p> <p>Foll: Todd Goldstein, Jye Caldwell, Sam Durham</p> <p>Int: Jade Gresham, Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs, Matt Guelfi, Elijah Tsatas</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Essendon Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Blues have had the better of the Bombers recently, winning four of the past five head-to-head battles.&nbsp;</p> <p>Weirdly, Carlton and Essendon have played in three draws this century, the most of any combination of teams, in 2014, 2011, and back in 2006.</p> <p>In a round of hard games to tip, this one is probably the hardest of the lot between two genuine middle-of-the-road teams.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite their unavailabilities down back, the Bombers remain a tough team to score against. This spells trouble for the Blues with their inability to score freely at the moment.&nbsp;</p> <p>But maybe Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay can take advantage of the hole that is there? They have no problem moving the footy, it’s all about that last kick which is something they haven’t been able to hit all year.</p> <p>Nic Martin is finding plenty of the footy too recently. If Vossy doesn’t put time into him, or Zach Merrett after seeing the previous two games get ripped away from them by one person, it would be hard to see him coming back and coaching the next week.</p> <p>The Blues simply must win, otherwise, it’s curtains for season 2025 well and truly.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-essendon-9248653">Blues</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>With rain forecasted, It’s going to be a night for the brutes and the smalls. But like he did last week against the Lions, Nate Caddy proved he was a force both on the ground and in the air.</p> <p>We’re backing him to get the jump and the perfect start for the Dons to back up his stellar game last week.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-essendon-9248653">Nate Caddy</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>He’s had a down year by his lofty standards, but Sam Walsh gets up for games against the Dons. More often than not, he produces his best.</p> <p>Averaging 28.6 touches in his last five games against Essendon, we’re backing him to remind everyone just how good he is and get back to his ball-hunting best.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-essendon-9248653">Sam Walsh 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton Blues vs Essendon Bombers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, June 8th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>