<p>One of the fiercest and newest rivalries in the games hits the nation's capital once again, as the GWS Giants host the Western Bulldogs.</p> <p>The Giants return to Canberra - their home away from home- for the first time this season proper, having missed an opportunity last week to establish themselves as contenders following their loss to the Crows.</p> <p>In a grim match against the Crows, the usually accurate and potent Giants couldn’t generate meaningful scoring opportunities, managing only four goals. It was also their tenth lowest score in a game in their history.</p> <p>Those scoring problems could be remedied by the impending return of spearhead Jesse Hogan, who was a late withdrawal against the Crows.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Bulldogs looked like the best version of themselves when captain Marcus Bontempelli came in and reminded everyone that he is still the best player in the competition: 30 possessions and 2 goals in his first game back after an eight-week injury… the guy isn’t human.</p> <p>The Dogs couldn’t have been more impressive in their thumping win over the Saints, but the night did have a sour note for the crew at the Kennel. That was the injury to their budding superstar Sam Darcy. In an Easter miracle, it was confirmed not to be the dreaded ACL injury, but he will still miss a good chunk of football, leaving an even bigger hole on the field for Luke Beveridge and the Bulldogs to fill.</p> <p>Bevo will need to make further changes with Lachie McNeil injuring his hamstring too, forcing some magnets to be moved.</p> <p>These clashes are often spicy and have provided no shortage of controversial moments over the years. Let's hope for no different here.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Giants vs Dogs predictions and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>GWS Giants Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Harrison Himmelberg</p> <p>HB: Lachie Ash, Jack Buckley, Lachie Whitfield</p> <p>C: Jacob Wehr, Finn Callaghan, Callan Ward</p> <p>HF: Harvey Thomas, Jake Stringer, Toby Greene</p> <p>F: Darcy Jones, Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman</p> <p>Foll: Kieran Briggs, Tom Green, Stephen Coniglio</p> <p>Int: Josh Kelly, Toby Bedford, Connor Stone, Toby McMullin, Xavier O’Halloran</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Western Bulldogs Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Bailey Williams, Liam Jones, Buku Khamis</p> <p>HB: Bailey Dale, Rory Lobb, Jason Johannisen</p> <p>C: Lachlan Bramble, Ed Richards, Sam Davidson</p> <p>HF: Laitham Vandermeer, Aaron Naughton, Tom Liberatore</p> <p>F: Joel Freijah, James O’Donnell, Rhylee West</p> <p>Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Kennedy</p> <p>Int: Luke Cleary, Ryley Sanders, Josh Dolan, Cooper Hynes, James Harmes</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>There’s plenty to consider here looking at the head-to-head.</p> <p>The Dogs have extended their head-to-head record against the Giants in recent times, having claimed victory seven of the past eight times the teams have met. They’ve won each of these games by 1-39 points too if you’re looking for some value there too.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, the Giants are in the midst of building a fortress at their home away from home, winning their past four matches in Canberra.</p> <p>But, this will be the eighth time that these two have met at Manuka Oval, and the Dogs hold the lead 5-2 head-to-head.</p> <p>The loss of Darcy is a big structural question for the Bulldogs and the brains trust. Who swings forward?</p> <p>You’d expect Liam Jones to get the Hogan matchup.. But the Giants forward line is still stacked. Cadman, Riccardi, Stringer and Toby Greene all require some attention too.</p> <p>Buku Khamis played forward last week for not much return, and Rory Lobb was swung forward when the game was done to see what that looks like (Or likely, to see if Lobb remembered how to play as a forward).&nbsp;</p> <p>Would playing Lobb forward open the door for a Jedd Busslinger debut? Or would they be hesitant throwing the young man to the wolves against that forward line.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will need to pick the partner for Aaron Naughton up front correctly to overcome the challenge of the Giants defence ranked in the top -two defences in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs will be looking to prove that last week's mauling of the Saints wasn’t a once off. They have made a habit in recent times of rising to the occasion too. But the Giants will be smarting after letting an opportunity like they did against the Crows slip.</p> <p>It’s a coin flip, but we’re backing the home side and their recent history at the ground to get it done.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-western-bulldogs-9125349">GWS Giants</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Matthew Kennedy has been one of the recruits of the year and is thriving at the Dogs. With the Bont back in the side, and with Libba playing as well as he is, It might push him forward to start before rotating in.</p> <p>If it does happen like that, He knows his way around goals. He’s our pick to hit the board first in this one.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-western-bulldogs-9125349">Matt Kennedy</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>He returned last week with a bang. We all still want the ‘Bontlow’ to happen, and if he keeps replicating what he did last week, there might be time enough to chase down the early leaders.</p> <p>A big occasion, expect Marcus Bontempelli to lead from the front again with the most touches… and probably a goal or two to boot.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-western-bulldogs-9125349">Marcus Bontempelli (30 disposals)</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, April 26, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:35 pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Manuka Oval, Canberra.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>