<p>Geelong and Melbourne take centre stage on Friday night down at the Cattery in what has become a high-stakes clash for both sides.</p> <p>The Cats have not won since their Round 1 demolition of Fremantle at home and are chasing a win to even the ledger. Meanwhile, it’s desperation station for the Demons. 0-3 and staring down the barrel of their first 0-4 start to a season since 2012. Back in the Mark Neeld days… which all Dees fans, tried as they might to erase the scars, have singed into their memories.&nbsp;</p> <p>Kardinia Park is a place of immense pain for Demons fans but has also delivered a moment of sheer jubilation. It’s the scene of the 186 point massacre in 2011, and it’s also the place where Max Gawn kicked the goal after the siren to ensure a top placed finish on the way to the drought breaking premiership in 2021.</p> <p>More of the latter is wanted on Friday night to get the season rolling for the Dees. For the latest team news, analysis, odds and betting tips, check out our Geelong vs Melbourne prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Melbourne Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong</h3> <p>B: Mark Blicavs, Jack Henry, Connor O’Sullivan</p> <p>HB: Tom Stewart, Zach Guthrie, Mark O’Connor</p> <p>C: Ollie Dempsey, Patrick Dangerfield, Brad Close</p> <p>HF: Bailey Smith, Shannon Neale, Ollie Henry</p> <p>F: Gryan Miers, Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle</p> <p>Foll: Sam De Koning, Max Holmes, Tom Atkins</p> <p>Int: Lawson Humphries, Jhye Clark, Jack Bowes, Shaun Mannagh, Osin Mullin</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne</h3> <p>B: Tom McDonald, Steven May, Christian Salem</p> <p>HB: Tom Sparrow, Harrison Petty, Jake Bowey</p> <p>C: Jack Billings, Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon</p> <p>HF: Jack Henderson, Aidan Johnson, Jack Viney</p> <p>F: Harvey Langford, Jacob van Rooyen, Kade Chandler</p> <p>Foll: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Trent Rivers</p> <p>Int: Blake Howes, Harry Sharp, Bayley Fritsch, Jake Melksham, Caleb Windsor</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Melbourne Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Dees have had the better of this meeting with the Cats recently, winning three of the past five matches, including the 2021 Preliminary Final. But the current formline of Melbourne tells a different story of where this one may be heading.</p> <p>The Cats bounced out to an early advantage against the Lions before getting reeled back in by the reigning premiers. The Dees, on the other hand, never got a look in against the Suns with inaccuracy hurting them before they lost control of the game.&nbsp;</p> <p>Expect a contrast of styles here too. The Cats have worked hard on refining their ‘transition game’ while Melbourne is still playing along from the ‘contest and defence’ playbook. Which is not how modern teams set up in 25’.</p> <p>The Cats should be boosted by the return of Tom Stewart who missed the trip north with a knee complaint and go back to patrolling the half-back line and setting up the play for the Cats.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron looks set to resume his battle with Steven May with the defender back for the Dees but the Cats should have way too much scoring power, even if May does quell the champion Cameron’s influence.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats don’t lose too many at home down the highway, and Melbourne aren’t in anywhere near good enough form to look like troubling them.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-melbourne-9063246">Geelong</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>The Cats might have one of the most potent half-forward lines in the competition. If one of them doesn’t bob up to cause your team grief, you can rest assured one of the others will. I’m sure they have a lot of fun laughing about it and taking turns deciding who’s day it’s going to be this time.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ollie Dempsey has continued on from last year where he was crowned the rising star winner nicely this year and constantly bobs up being that attacking winger. He’s hit the scoreboard nice and early every week this season and we’re backing him to do it again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-melbourne-9063246">Ollie Dempsey</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Not much has gone right for the Dees in the first three weeks of the year. But one thing that would get all Melbourne fans smiling would be the return of Clayton Oliver and how he has come back after a wretched run over the past 18th months.</p> <p>He’s been back to his normal self, averaging 30-possessions a game, putting him in the top-10 ball winners in the competition across the first month. While Melbourne may not win, Clarry will certainly still get plenty of the pill.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-melbourne-9063246">Clayton Oliver 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Melbourne Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday April 4, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:40pm AEDT.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>GMHBA Stadium, Geelong.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: &nbsp;</strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo</p>