<p>After failing to back up a determined display on Good Friday, West Coast returns home still winless to host a Melbourne side that is gaining momentum.&nbsp;</p> <p>After breaking their duck two weeks ago against Freo at the MCG, the Dees followed up on ANZAC Eve with a victory over the Tigers thanks to a third-quarter blitz.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>It wasn’t flawless, but it was a win that the Dees needed to get and put behind them, much like this week’s trip West will be as they continue to reignite their season. Remarkably, they could move within striking distance of the top eight with a victory here.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eagles are still searching for their first win of the season, and this presents a great opportunity to secure one. Otherwise, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see where the drought-breaker is going to come from. Remember too, they defeated Melbourne last year at Optus Stadium. Harley Reid kicked the goal of the year after bursting out of the center square, delivering a don't argue to Christian Petracca along the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eagles should be bolstered by the return of Tim Kelly, who has had an inconsistent season. Youngster Tom Gross also pressed his case for a recall after an impressive game in the WAFL.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees are set to regain forward Jake Melksham, who is available after missing last week due to injury. Fellow forward Daniel Turner could also be available if he successfully passes through concussion protocols.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Eagles vs Dees predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Melbourne Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>West Coast Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Brady Hough, Jeremy McGovern, Ryan Maric</p> <p>HB: Liam Baker, Reuben Ginbey, Tyrell Dewar</p> <p>C: Jayden Hunt, Harley Reid, Tim Kelly</p> <p>HF: Matt Owies, Jake Waterman, Jamie Cripps</p> <p>F: Jack Williams, Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan&nbsp;</p> <p>Foll: Matt Flynn, Jack Graham, Liam Duggan</p> <p>Int: Jack Hutchinson, Elijah Hewett, Tom Cole, Archer Reid, Noah Long</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Jake Bowey, Steven May, Harrison Petty</p> <p>HB: Judd McVee, Tom McDonald, Trent Rivers</p> <p>C:&nbsp; Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Xavier Lindsay</p> <p>HF: Tom Sparrow, Tom Fullarton, Harvey Langford</p> <p>F: Charlie Spargo, Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett</p> <p>Foll: Max Gan, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca</p> <p>Int: Koltyn Tholstrup, Christian Salem, Kade Chander, Jake Melksham, Caleb Windsor</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Melbourne Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Five out of the last six meetings between these two sides have taken place at Optus Stadium. During this stretch, it is Melbourne that has had the upper hand against the Eagles (like most teams have), but the Eagles did defeat the Dees the last time they played in Perth.</p> <p>Eagles coach Andrew McQualter should lean heavily on what his team achieved against the Dees last year and will take the small positives from the past couple of weeks, as they are, albeit very slowly, making progress toward becoming the team they aspire to be.</p> <p>They will need to win more ball at the source after losing the clearance battle in every game so far this year, but the return of Tim Kelly to the midfield mix should at least help tilt that momentum back in the Eagles' favor somewhat. They will need to try to do this against the likes of Viney, Petracca, and Oliver.</p> <p>In the past couple of weeks, the Dees have started to resemble their true selves again. What is that line in the song from Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa? ‘One handball is all it takes.’</p> <p>It’s opened up the Dees' midfield, and instead of bashing and bombing the ball forward, the method of moving the ball forward has improved significantly in recent weeks. In reality, they have another week to work things out against the Eagles before facing stronger opponents in the weeks ahead.</p> <p>We expect the Dees to get the job done here, but if the Eagles are close at three-quarter time, it could turn into a grab-the-popcorn situation for the final quarter. Surely Max won’t need to drag his team over the line on his own again…</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Melbourne.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Liam Ryan has enjoyed clashes with Melbourne in the past. He has a ‘Mark of the Year’ award after using big Max Gawn as a stepladder and has kicked seven goals in his past five matches against the Dees.</p> <p>Fit and playing some consistent footy again, and coming off a three-goal game last week against the Hawks, He looms as a key player if the Eagles are to get close to winning. We’re backing him to hit the scoreboard early.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Liam Ryan.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Dees defender Christian Salem was back to his best last week. 34 disposals, 27 of them kicks, coming off the half-back line.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Smooth mover is an important piece for the Dees, with his penetrating kicking.&nbsp; He might even be called upon to be used through the midfield as an extra rotation. Or they can at least trial it depending on the state of the game (as Sammy Mitchell did with Barass up forward last week)</p> <p>We think he’ll go big once again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Christian Salem (30 disposals).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Melbourne Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:30 pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Optus Stadium, Perth.</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>