<p>Richmond returns to the familiar surroundings of the MCG, playing host to the Sydney Swans.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans return to the home of football for the second time in three weeks but it wouldn’t fill them with any excitement having only won two of their past 10 games at the MCG.</p> <p>Things have gone from bad to worse for Dean Cox in his first year in charge. A 90-point loss at home to Adelaide last week was a new low for modern-day Sydney, dishing up their worst loss at the SCG this century.</p> <p>The Tigers lost zero admirers last week in their heartbreaking loss to the Giants. This is all part of the growing pains of the rebuild. It hurts now and in the immediate aftermath of the siren, but as a Tigers fan, knowing what this year is, it’s a week and performance that you know will be an important one in the growth of the young group.</p> <p>So both teams arrive at the MCG seeking a win for different reasons. The Tigers can secure a fourth win and almost certainly avoid the wooden spoon if they do get up, (A win will also see them move equal wins with Carlton, Port Adelaide, and their opponents Sydney - and if you’d said that out loud at the start of the year as a thing that may have happened throughout the course of the season, you’d have been laughed at).</p> <p>The Swans need to shock their season back to life. At 4-8, it's almost close to unsalvageable, and a loss here makes it completely cooked. But if they do manage to get up here, and win well going into the bye, the cavalry will arrive in the second half of the season and could spark them into action for the run home.&nbsp;</p> <p>On a selection front, the Tigers will welcome back Noah Balta from his court-imposed curfew. Judson Clarke continues his return from an ACL injury in the VFL with another impressive display and could get a look in after 27 disposals and two goals. The Tigers have several young players currently playing who are hanging on for the bye that comes next week, so it will be a wait and see how many, if any, they decide to rest here and give an extended break too.</p> <p>At the Swans, they won’t get much respite on the injury front this week, but there will still be some nervous Swans players. Dean Cox has shown he isn’t afraid to drop big name players. Especially after an awful performance.</p> <p>Callum Mills will return from suspension, while Sam Wicks and Aaron Francis are also likely to return should they pass fitness tests.&nbsp;</p> <p>Young forwards Tom Hanily and Jesse Dattoli kicked goals in the twos and could get a look in. Veteran Harry Cunningham returned to footy in the VFL too on restricted minutes and is unlikely to come straight back in.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Tigers vs Swans prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Sydney Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Richmond Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nathan Broad, Ben Miller, Nick Valstuin</p> <p>HB: Tom Brown, Noah Balta, Campbell Gray</p> <p>C: Sam Banks, Dion Prestia, Hugo Ralphsmith</p> <p>HF: Jack Ross, Jonty Faull, Seth Campbell</p> <p>F: Rhyan Mansell, Tom Lynch, Tom Sims</p> <p>Foll: Toby Nankervis, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto</p> <p>Int: Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Kane McAuliffe, Steely Green, Kamdyn McIntosh</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Nick Blakey, Lewis Melican, Sam Wicks</p> <p>HB: Matt Roberts, Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe</p> <p>C: Jake Lloyd, Isaac Heeney, Justin McInerney&nbsp;</p> <p>HF: Braeden Campbell, Joel Hamling, James Jordon</p> <p>F: Will Hayward, Hayden McLean, Aaron Francis</p> <p>Foll: Brodie Grundy, Chad Warner, Callum Mills</p> <p>Int: Riley Bice, Corey Warner, James Rowbottom, Angus Sheldrick, Taylor Adams</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond 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 winning three of the past five, but the Tigers have won the past two matches, both at the MCG.</p> <p>The MCG is not a happy place for the Swans at the moment, having only won two of their past 10 matches at the ground.&nbsp;</p> <p>It was beaten up into a news story when it shouldn’t have been, but will the Swans use the Wayne Milera “rabble” comment as motivation to do a number on the young Tigers? The numbers suggest they are mid-table in every metric. Rightly reflecting on where they find themselves.</p> <p>The Tigers have emerged as one of the best in the competition (sixth in the competition) at keeping the ball locked in their forward half, despite the weight of results against them thus far. They also rank fifth at restricting opposition shots at goal. Something the Swans have struggled with throughout the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers will go in as outsiders, but we shouldn’t be surprised if they pull out another big result here. Surely the Swans are good enough though.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-sydney-swans-9248650">Swans</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Tigers spearhead Tom Lynch will reach a milestone this week, hitting 100 games at Richmond in his seventh season at Tigerland. What better way to mark the occasion with the first goal on the board for the home side.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-sydney-swans-9248650">Tom Lynch</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Sam Banks is a young Tiger on the rise.</p> <p>A month of career-best footy, He’s been averaging 24.4 disposals in the past five games. He’s still yet to hit the 30 disposals in a game marker, but we think Saturday might be the day for the young Tasmanian.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-sydney-swans-9248650">Sam Banks 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond Tigers vs Sydney Swans Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, June 7th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 1:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>