<p>It’s the biggest rivalry in the game, taking centre stage at the MCG in front of close to 85,000 fans.&nbsp;</p> <p>A Collingwood vs Carlton game usually doesn’t need much added to it for the hype and excitement to be at fever pitch, but this one is absolutely layered with things riding on it.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues are winless so far this year and are desperate to alleviate some of the pressure on coach Michael Voss who is fighting for his job.&nbsp;</p> <p>Collingwood on the other hand, has put the disappointment of their Opening Round bomb out to the Giants behind them and have bounced back with two straight wins.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now coming off the bye, they have Carlton right where they want them. Vulnerable, desperate and ripe for the picking to embarrass them again. This could get ugly.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds and betting tips, check out our Collingwood vs Carlton prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Carlton Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood</h3> <p><strong>B: </strong>Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard</p> <p><strong>HB: </strong>Dan Houston, Billy Frampton, Josh Daicos</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>Steele Sidebottom, Pat Lipinski, Jack Crisp</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Beau McCreery, Jordan De Goey, Bobby Hill</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Tim Membrey, Dan McStay, Jamie Elliott</p> <p><strong>Foll: </strong>Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Harry Perryman</p> <p><strong>Int: </strong>Scott Pendlebury, Isaac Quaynor, Ned Long, Mason Cox, Lachie Schultz</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlton</h3> <p><strong>B:</strong> Lachlan Cowan, Jacob Weitering, Adam Saad</p> <p><strong>HB: </strong>Jordan Boyd, Jack Silvagni, Mitch McGovern</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Matt Cottrell, Charlie Curnow, Brodie Kemp</p> <p><strong>F: </strong>Jesse Motlop, Harry McKay, Zac Williams</p> <p><strong>Foll: </strong>Tom De Koning, Adam Cerra, George Hewett</p> <p><strong>Int: </strong>Ollie Hollands, Nick Haynes, Sam Docherty, Lachie Fogarty, Lewis Young</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Carlton Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Since 2022, these games have been close with four of the six meetings decided by under a goal.&nbsp;</p> <p>It should lend itself to another exciting matchup. That is of course, if the Blues decide to play with flair and excitement and not the laborious, methodical, slow build up that requires precision that just isn’t working for them at the moment.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies under Craig McRae have been a team that gets it and goes. They will be preying on the Blues errors so they can quickly move the ball down the other end, courtesy of their elite ball users off half-back and make them pay.</p> <p>Star Collingwood recruit Dan Houston wanted to initially get to Carlton when he pursued a move home in the off-season and instead ended up at the Pies. How much will he run around and show the Blues just what they could have had?</p> <p>The Blues should regain their spearhead Harry McKay in the front half but i don’t think it will be enough. The Blues simply aren’t playing that well for long enough at the moment to consider tipping them.</p> <p>But if we know anything about these games, they’re always a fun watch with a close finish.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-carlton-9063247">Collingwood&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>As has been a pattern for Carlton and the inability to defend defensive 50 stoppages, you can expect Collingwood’s fleet of small forwards to be on high alert. Especially if they get an early look.&nbsp;</p> <p>Bobby Hill has always started quickly against the Blues since he’s crossed from the Giants, and with both Nic Newman and Alex Cincotta out injured for Carlton who did the lockdown job on him last year, he might get off the chain and become a problem early.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-carlton-9063247">Bobby Hill</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>No one has gotten to the bottom of this theory yet, but it seems that wherever you are in a contract year, you produce the best footy you have played in your entire career.&nbsp;</p> <p>That’s exactly what’s happening with Tom De Koning this year. Not only has his ruckwork gone to another level, but he’s started winning the ball for fun around the ground, and started the season averaging 25 disposals per match.</p> <p>Of course, there are several options in this one for most disposals with the likes of Patrick Cripps, the Daicos boys and Jack Crisp to feature heavily on the stats sheet, but we’re backing Tom in here to go big once again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-carlton-9063247">Tom De Koning 30+ disposals.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Carlton Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Thursday April 3, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:30pm AEDT.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Melbourne Cricket Groun, Melbourne</p>