<p>Are the Dees back?</p> <p>Melbourne (going by Narrm over SDNR) is in the middle of a purple patch, having won four of their past five matches. All of a sudden, they are a team that others need to be careful of after their shocking start to the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>After being as many as 24 points down against the Lions away from home, they rallied in the second half with four final-quarter goals to overtake Brisbane and secure an 11-point win. This victory marks their biggest scalp of the season and probably for some time too.</p> <p>As a result of this, their season has a pulse. It’s very faint, but it’s there. It’s not quite in the ‘Dumb and Dumber’ meme reference areas yet—might save that for later in the season—but the Dees have re-entered the conversation of teams that still have something to play for this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their opposition this week, the Sydney Swans, have also somehow found their way back among the pack and the discussions of teams whose seasons are teetering but not completely finished. Thanks mainly to Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, who once again orchestrated a win over Carlton, the Swans improved to 4-6 and stayed alive for another week.&nbsp;</p> <p>Additionally, in another big tick for the makeshift forward line, they claimed another big scalp in Jacob Weitering, Mitch McGovern, and Nick Haynes. As much as Dean Cox would love to have his main forwards in, Joel Hamling and Aaron Francis are doing the job at the moment. It might be unconventional, but it’s keeping the Swans’ season alive.&nbsp;</p> <p>Essentially, this game at the MCG on Sunday is an early-season Elimination Final. Whoever loses this game might be ruled out of Finals contention. Especially with how competitive the league is this year, it’s a long way back from 4-7, moving two wins further away from the top eight.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s significant, and there’s little doubt the players on both teams know that their seasons might be done come the final siren on Sunday evening.&nbsp;</p> <p>To heighten the occasion for the Dees, it’s Christian Petracca’s 200th game this weekend. Not that they needed added motivation to win, but they will be charged up for one of their favorite sons.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the selection front, Narrm could welcome back the dynamic duo of Jake Lever and Jack Viney, should they both be declared fit. First-year star Xavier Lindsay was sent to the hospital following the win against the Lions after taking a heavy hit but is expected to play.</p> <p>The Swans will receive a significant boost from their skipper Callum Mills, who returned to football at a lower level last week and passed with flying colours.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will need to replace the suspended duo Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey, with Ollie Florent likely returning to the 22 after being the starting sub last week. Hayden McLean should also find his way back into the lineup after being dropped to the VFL last week.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dees vs Swans prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Sydney Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Jake Bowey, Steven May, Christian Salem</p> <p>HB: Jake Lever, Tom McDonald, Trent Rivers</p> <p>C: Caleb Windsor, Christian Petracca, Ed Langdon</p> <p>HF: Harry Sharp, Harrison Petty, Tom Sparrow</p> <p>F: Kysaiah Pickett, Jake Melksham, Charlie Spargo</p> <p>Foll: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney</p> <p>Int: Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Daniel Turner, Kade Chandler, Bayley Fritsch</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Sam Wicks, Tom McCartin, Matt Roberts</p> <p>HB: James Jordon, Dane Rampe, Nick Blakey</p> <p>C: Ollie Florent, Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd</p> <p>HF: Braeden Campbell, Hayden McLean, Caiden Cleary</p> <p>F: Will Hayward, Aaron Francis, Corey Warner</p> <p>Foll: Brodie Grundy, Callum Mills, Chad Warner</p> <p>Int: Joel Hamling, Peter Ladhams, Riley Bice, James Rowbottom, Taylor Adams</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Sydney Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Swans hold sway in the recent head-to-head battles, with three wins from the past five matches. Included in that run, is winning form at the MCG, with both those triumphs coming in 2022.</p> <p>The Dees have been on a sharp improvement over the past month. Most of it has been driven by the ageless wonder of their captain Max Gawn, who is on track for his eighth All-Australian blazer should his form hold come the end of the season. He faces some stiff competition this week in the form of old rival and former teammate Brodie Grundy, who himself returned to form last week in the win over the Blues.</p> <p>Combining with Peter Ladhams against the lone Gawn might be a way that the Swans can gain some ascendancy. Coupled with the return to form of their stars Warner and Heeney, the Swans have given themselves every chance of making a run for it in the second half of the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>We’re going for the home side here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-sydney-swans-9208275">Demons</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Eyebrows might have been raised when people saw Bayley Fritsch named as the starting sub for the Dees on the weekend. He was dropped earlier in the season, so it’s probably Simon Goodwin working out how to get the best out of his usually bankable forward while he’s been down to start this season.</p> <p>That said, he’s had quite the time of it against the Swans in recent times, kicking 18.2 in his past five games against them. He’s our pick to start and hit the board early.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-sydney-swans-9208275">Bayley Fritsch</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>There are a few options to pick from here, but it’s hard for us to go past the milestone man Christian Petracca.</p> <p>Coming off his best performance of the season against the Lions with 31 disposals, he’s just starting to get busy. He’s averaged 27.4 disposals in his past five matches against the Swans and will be hoping to turn in a big one in his milestone match.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-sydney-swans-9208275">Christian Petracca</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Demons vs Sydney Swans Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, May 25th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 3:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>