<p>What did we do to get Essendon on Friday night again this year?</p> <p>The first of another Friday night double-header begins at Marvel Stadium, where the holding-together-by-sticky-tape Essendon hosts the Western Bulldogs.</p> <p>The Dons were kept at arm's length by the Giants all night last Thursday. It took until five minutes before half-time for them to hit the scoreboard significantly, waiting for their 13th debutant of the season, Liam McMahon, to kick truly and get the Bombers' first goal of the night, though they ultimately succumbed to a 48-point loss.</p> <p>On the other side, things are starting to get a bit hairy for Bevo and his Western Bulldogs.</p> <p>Another loss last week, this time to the Lions up at the Gabba, has the Dogs still on the outside looking in. More startlingly, it again appeared that they were a class below the top teams. Yes, they managed to trim the margin to under a goal with just over a minute remaining, but for most of the game, the Lions were in control.</p> <p>It was another failed test for the Dogs, raising questions about their capabilities and amplifying the ‘flat track bully’ tag they have been desperately trying to shake off.</p> <p>They won’t have much of an opportunity to shed that tag this week when they face the Bombers—a side they have enjoyed systematically destroying recently. With this iteration of Essendon, it could get very ugly, very quickly.</p> <p>At selection, the Bombers might regain a trio of starting players—Nate Caddy, Ben Hobbs, and Todd Goldstein—pending fitness tests.</p> <p>Among the minimal leftovers who played in the VFL, Saad El-Hawli impressed enough to put himself forward for a recall, while small forward Jye Menzie kicked two goals from 14 touches, aiming to add to his five senior AFL games this season.</p> <p>For the Dogs, questions remain about the makeup of the back six. Veteran Liam Jones was given a chance last week against the Lions but didn’t perform at his best. This opens the door for Buku Khamis and Jedd Busslinger, both of whom performed strongly in the VFL, to potentially replace him. One of these two could also step in for James O’Donnell, who injured his ankle in the fourth quarter and will be tested.</p> <p>The Dogs might also call upon young Cooper Hynes again for some front-half spark, especially after the forward line struggled to generate scoring opportunities as it has in previous weeks. He is likely to replace Laitham Vandermeer, who was subbed out with an ankle injury against the Lions.</p> <p>James Harmes will be available after missing last week's game due to illness.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Bombers vs Dogs prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Andy McGrath, Jayden Laverde, Archie Roberts</p> <p>HB: Mason Redman, Jordan Ridley, Angus Clarke</p> <p>C: Xavier Duursma, Zach Merrett, Luamon Lual</p> <p>HF: Oskar Smartt, Peter Wright, Lachlan Blakiston</p> <p>F: Archer May, Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako</p> <p>Foll: Todd Goldstein, Sam Durham, Ben Hobbs</p> <p>Int: Jaxon Prior, Dylan Shiel, Archie Perkins, Jade Gresham, Liam McMahon</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Western Bulldogs Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Bailey Williams, Rory Lobb, James O’Donnell</p> <p>HB: Bailey Dale, Jedd Busslinger, Jason Johannisen</p> <p>C: Lachie Bramble, Ed Richards, Riley Garcia</p> <p>HF: Ryley Sanders, Aaron Naughton, Matt Kennedy</p> <p>F: Laitham Vandermeer, Sam Darcy, Rhylee West</p> <p>Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore</p> <p>Int: Lachie McNeil, Cooper Hynes, Joel Freijah, Sam Davidson, Caleb Poulter</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Dogs hold sway in the recent head-to-head battles with the Dons, winning four of the past five games. They’ve been comfortable wins too, with the four wins coming with an average winning margin of 53.25 points.&nbsp;</p> <p>The questions over the Dogs' backline remain, and they’re unlikely to get a strong examination this week from a depleted Dons forward line that has struggled to kick a score in recent weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers are ranked 17th for points over the past five weeks, while the Dogs, despite their slip-ups in recent weeks, are still ranked overall first for the best attacking profile in the league.</p> <p>I suspect lots of Dogs players will be looking to fill their boots here in what should be a comfortable win.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-western-bulldogs-9409462">Bulldogs</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He’s one of a few Sons of guns of the West, but Rhylee West has become a consistent threat in the forward line for the Dogs this year.</p> <p>He rarely goes a game without a goal or meaningful contribution on the scoresheet and starred with four goals last week as the only Dog to kick multiple goals.</p> <p>We’re picking him to get the ball rolling on Friday night for the Dogs.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-western-bulldogs-9409462">Rhylee West</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Last time these sides met earlier this year, Bailey Dale not only broke the record for the most possessions in a game by a Bulldog but became perilously close to raising the bat for a half-century.&nbsp;</p> <p>While he’s dropped off the pace over the last five weeks, averaging just 23 touches, we think his teammates might be looking for him at every opportunity this time to make sure he gets there.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-western-bulldogs-9409462">Bailey Dale 40+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon Bombers vs Western Bulldogs Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, July 25, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:20pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Marvel Stadium, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>