North Melbourne and Carlton will meet at Marvel Stadium in a huge Round 4 matchup on Easter Friday.

 The Blues have just one win this season and are already fighting to sustain hope in their 2026 campaign.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne will aim to further prove they mean business under Alastair Clarkson.

Michael Voss was left “filthy” with his side’s all-too-familiar showing against Melbourne on Sunday, coughing up a 43-point lead to lose 100-77 in a seemingly inevitable second-half collapse.

The faith of the Carlton faithful is almost at breaking point after multiple late-game fadeouts have left their season on life support.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne broke a 10-year hoodoo by defeating Essendon 81-69 on Saturday night. That result came at significant cost, with star ruckman Tristan Xerri set for a three-match ban following a vaguely gross ‘blood wiping’ incident with Bombers skipper Andrew McGrath.

North Melbourne claimed last season’s Round 15 meeting between these teams despite conceding 35 points to nil in the final quarter. A repeat of that result would see the Kangaroos holding a 3-1 record - their best start since 2016.

Can the Blues get the W and give Vossy a week’s breathing room? Or will North be able to make an impact this season?

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our North Melbourne vs Carlton Round 4 prediction and preview below.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Carlton Blues Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

How the Blues lost last week is anyone’s guess. From 40 points up to losing by almost four goals against the Dees, it was truly mind-blowing stuff.

Some fans weren’t surprised though, as this has been happening to Carlton for a few years now.

Now the Blues have the chance to front up to a fellow straggler, but North seem to be moving in a more positive direction.

The Blues would have to be close to psychological ruin at this point. Maybe what they need is to actually trail by four goals at half-time and see what happens, because leading by any margin certainly hasn't been working for Vossy’s men lately.

Tristan Xerri’s absence is enormous for the Roos, but across the ground, the Kangas look far deeper and more potent, something no one has been able to say in many years.

With the Blues' defence looking shaky and the Roos finding a way to win the gritty encounters, we think the psychological scars at Ikon Park are too deep to ignore.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne by 18 points.

First Goal Scorer Prediction

The Blues have no standout goalkickers since the departure of Curnow.

Their attack has taken more of a team approach, with Mitch McGovern leading their goal tally on just five for the season.

North’s Nick Larkey is in career-best form and will be relishing the big stage of this Good Friday clash.

He’s third in the league for goals scored, having slotted 12 already and is primed to make an impact with the boot against Carlton.

With Carlton’s defenders prone to lapses during high-pressure transitions, Larkey’s leading patterns should see him find space in the opening term.

Expect the Roos to feed their main man early to keep the momentum from the Essendon win rolling.

Betting tip: Nick Larkey.

Most Disposals Prediction

Harry Sheezel has been on fire to start 2026 and has consistently been one of the Kangaroos’ top performers. He’s a primary distributor for North, racking up massive numbers across half-back and through the middle.

Whether he’s setting up a play from defensive 50 or pushing into the centre square, the ball almost always goes through Sheezel’s hands.

If the Blues continue their trend of second-half collapses, expect Sheezel to be orchestrating their demise through the middle.

Betting tip: Harry Sheezel.

*Odds are subject to change.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Carlton Blues Predicted Teams

North Melbourne Predicted Team List

FB: Charlie Comben, Toby Pink, Luke McDonald

HB: Cameron Zurhaar, Caleb Daniel, Finn O’Sullivan

C: Dylan Stephens, Tom Powell, Jy Simpkin

HF: Colby McKercher, Cooper Trembath, Paul Curtis

FF: Luke Parker, Nick Larkey, Aidan Corr

FOLL: Callum Coleman-Jones, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel

I/C: Tom Blamires, George Wardlaw, Zane Duursma, Lachy Dovaston, Jack Darling

Carlton Blues Predicted Team List

FB: Lewis Young, Jacob Weitering, Harry Dean

HB: Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman

C: Matthew Carroll, Patrick Cripps, Campbell Chesser

HF: Will Hayward, Hudson O’Keeffe, Zac Williams

FF: Talor Byrne, Harry McKay, Brodie Kemp

FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Jagga Smith, Sam Walsh

I/C: Lachlan Cowan, George Hewett, Elijah Hollands, Ben Ainsworth, Francis Evans

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Carlton Blues Match Details

Date: Friday, April 3, 2026

First Bounce: 4:20pm AEDT

Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

How to Watch: Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports