<p>Essendon and the Gold Coast Suns kick off another Super Saturday with a double-header at Marvel Stadium.</p> <p>Of course, this was meant to be the second time these two sides met this season, but due to the cyclone earlier, the rescheduled match is not until the last day of the season, meaning this is the first meeting of the year.</p> <p>The Dons are fresh off their bye and would have appreciated the week off more than most after a run plagued by injuries and four consecutive losses.</p> <p>The Suns got back on the winners' list with a solid win over a lackluster Demons side at home. While they won comfortably, they missed a golden opportunity to put the game away and secure a big win.</p> <p>At 9-5, the Suns have been good this season but sit precariously in eighth place, tied with three teams on nine wins. With eight games remaining, it seems likely that one of these teams (Suns, Dogs, and Giants) will miss out on the finals. So, they must keep winning—and convincingly.</p> <p>Regarding their performance after the bye, they played and narrowly lost to the Giants early in the season, then rebounded strongly afterward—including a comeback after a slow start—and defeated Melbourne at home before facing Essendon. Nonetheless, some pundits remain unconvinced that the Suns are returning to their old ways. A win here before next week's big game against Collingwood will reveal a lot about the team's resilience.</p> <p>At selection, just when Essendon appeared poised for some relief from injuries, disaster struck at training. Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, and Mason Redman re-aggravated injuries of varying severity, ruling them out once again.</p> <p>They will get defensive reinforcements in Jordan Ridley and Zach Reid, while Sam Durham returns from suspension.</p> <p>The Suns are healthy and unlikely to make significant changes. Jake Rogers, after eight weeks with an ankle injury, is available again. Veteran David Swallow and young Leo Lombard continue to impress in the VFL and are likely to be considered.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dons vs Suns prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Gold Coast Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Andy McGrath, Zach Reid, Archie Roberts</p> <p>HB: Zak Johnson, Jayden Laverde, Jaxon Prior</p> <p>C: Xavier Duursma, Zach Merrett, Will Setterfield</p> <p>HF: Matt Guelfi, Nate Caddy, Nic Martin</p> <p>F: Archer May, Peter Wright, Isaac Kako</p> <p>Foll: Vigo Visentini, Jye Caldwell</p> <p>Int: Sam Durham, Jade Gresham, Ben Hobbs, Lachie Blakiston, Archie Perkins</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: John Noble, Mac Andrew, Daniel Rioli</p> <p>C: Lachie Weller, Matt Rowell, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jed Walter, Bailey Humphrey</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Sam Flanders</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Ethan Read, Sam Clohesy, Connor Budarick, Joel Jeffrey, Alex Sexton</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Gold Coast Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Bombers hold sway in the recent head-to-head, winning three of the past five matches against the Suns.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dons fans wouldn’t want to be reminded of the last time they met at Marvel Stadium, though - an after-the-siren shot at goal by Mac Andrew which sailed through the middle to sink their finals hopes would surely still sting.</p> <p>The Suns have fallen back slightly with their attacking profile after a significant portion of the year leading the competition on offence, currently ranked fifth overall. They rank second in the competition for time on the forward half.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers sit bottom six in defending opposition in its forward half and ranks 15th for points against. While they get the defensive reinforcements in Ridley and Reid back, the Suns' forward unit has been strong this year.</p> <p>The Suns need to win this game to keep pace, but this is also one of those games they could easily, easily drop.&nbsp;</p> <p>We’re backing them, but don’t write the Dons off completely here. We think it will be under the line either way.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-gold-coast-suns-9366242">Suns</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Suns mid-forward Bailey Humphrey is in the midst of a breakout season. Now he’s hitting the scoreboard consistently too, adding to his weaponry.&nbsp;</p> <p>Five goals in his past three weeks. His size could force the Dons into some funky matchups to try to curtail the Suns' forward line. We’re looking at him to hit the board first.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-gold-coast-suns-9366242">Bailey Humphrey</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Since he’s come back into the side after injury, Sam Flanders has had to bide his time before getting some midfield minutes.</p> <p>In the past few weeks, he’s broken back into the midfield and gotten back to the prolific numbers he was putting up all of last year. A dangerous new string to the already potent Suns on-ball brigade, we’re backing Flanders to lead all comers on the possession front.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-gold-coast-suns-9366242">Sam Flanders 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon Bombers vs Gold Coast Suns Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 5, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>12:35 PM AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Marvel Stadium, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>