<p>Winter has well and truly arrived in Melbourne as the footy season turns the corner at the halfway point.&nbsp;</p> <p>It's brought us to Round 13 action, beginning under the roof at Marvel Stadium where the Western Bulldogs host Hawthorn in what's sure to be an intriguing contest.</p> <p>While both teams are in the same bracket of teams on the ladder, both fighting for places in the lower rungs of the top eight, and only one game between them, it feels like these sides are poles apart on current form.</p> <p>The Dogs are coming off their bye, and previously a 14-point loss to Geelong in a game that they should have won. While they will be refreshed and ready to keep attacking. As a result of them having the bye early, they have lost their place in the top eight, having been leapfrogged by the Dockers.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks’ season has hit the skids in a big way after three losses in a row. They remain in the top eight thanks to some favourable results around them but there are now some big questions being posed their way.</p> <p>Opposition teams have gone to work on ‘Hokball’, and have forced the Hawks into a slight reinvention. They’re desperately missing Will Day and were battered at the contest once again by the Pies.</p> <p>No Hawk is under more pressure than the skipper James Sicily whose form has been on a steady decline. Or he’s playing injured because he clearly looks hampered. Additionally, the much-vaunted Hawthorn mosquito fleet is also under increased pressure to perform and bring back the spark and spunk.&nbsp;</p> <p>A win for the Dogs would get them up to seven wins, and back on par with the teams battling it out for a top-four spot. A loss would see their ledger get squared up at 6-6, which seems wild if you marry up the type of footy they have played this year and they could conceivably end the weekend with as many wins as they’ve had losses this year.</p> <p>The Hawks have seven wins to their name, but, as mentioned, the form line is cause for concern. A loss here, and wins from both the Giants and Essendon later in the week could see them fall out of the eight by week's end. So, it’s a massive, massive game for them.</p> <p>On a selection front, the Dogs are set to be boosted by the return of Adam Treloar which will give their already strong midfield an extra bite. Sam Darcy, while making incredible strides from what initially looked like a season-ending injury, looks likely to be given an extra week to get cherry ripe. Luke Beveridge could also call on one of Liam Jones or Jedd Busslinger to add some height to their defence after they were caught out a few times against the Cats.</p> <p>Does Sam Mitchell swing the axe?</p> <p>Youngster Nick Watson looked set to be subbed out before he kicked a goal in the weekend's loss to Collingwood, so he’s at risk of losing his spot. There’s a fitness watch on both Jack Scrimshaw and Blake Hardwick after they finished the game battling with some little issues.&nbsp;</p> <p>It has been reported that Captain Sicily will miss a couple of weeks with a hip/ abdominal injury. Perhaps explaining his restrictive movements.&nbsp;</p> <p>There are plenty of people down at Box Hill putting their hands up for selection, which makes for an interesting week at the match committee for Sam Mitchell.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dogs vs Hawks prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Western Bulldogs Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Luke Cleary, James O’Donnell, Taylor Duryea</p> <p>HB: Jason Johannisen, Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale</p> <p>C: Bailey Williams, Ed Richards, Joel Freijah</p> <p>HF: Adam Treloar, Buku Khamis, Matt Kennedy</p> <p>F: Ryley Sanders, Aaron Naughton, Rhylee West</p> <p>Foll: Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli</p> <p>Int: James Harmes, Sam Davidson, Lachie McNeil, Laitham Vandermeer, Jedd Busslinger</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Sam Frost, Tom Barass, Jarman Impey</p> <p>HB: Josh Weddle, Josh Battle, Jack Scrimshaw</p> <p>C: Karl Amon, Josh Ward, Massimo D’Ambrosio</p> <p>HF: Jack Ginnivan, Jack Gunston, Dylan Moore</p> <p>F: Connor Macdonald, Mabior Chol, Blake Hardwick</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, James Worpel</p> <p>Int: Conor Nash, Sam Butler, Finn Maginnes, Harry Morrison, Seamus Mitchell</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Both these sides have split the recent head-to-head battles five games each from the past 10 meetings, but the Hawks have the slight edge with wins in the past three matches. The last match being last year's Elimination Final which turned into another famous brown and gold night.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs are the number one team with the footy this year to date, and rank first for points for, shots at goal, inside 50 differential time in the forward half, and chain to scoring.</p> <p>The Hawks are ranked seventh at defending chain to scoring so far this year. This time last year, it was their biggest strength, with the run off the halfback line through the corridor proving most damaging, but that has dried up in recent weeks. Their defensive profile has also fallen back to the pack, ranking eleventh for defending opposition points from the forward half.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the Hawks find something in what is an old-fashioned ‘eight-point game’? The Dogs also need to win to prove they can actually beat a top side and not just beat up on the bottom eight.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s going to be a close one, but we’re going with the Dogs.</p> <p>Betting tip: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-hawthorn-9248647">Bulldogs</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Son of a gun Rhylee West has been in All-Australian form this season, with 19 goals coming from his first 11 games, finally cementing his place in Luke Beveridge’s side.&nbsp;</p> <p>Eight of his 19 goals this year have come at Marvel, so it’s a happy hunting ground for him. We’re looking at him to go and draw first blood here.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-hawthorn-9248647">Rhylee West</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>The last time Bailey Dale played a game at Marvel Stadium… he walked off the ground a new club record holder for most disposals in a game.&nbsp;</p> <p>With 1732 of his career 3473 disposals coming under the lid, it’s his happy hunting ground. He’ll be setting himself to go big again in a must-win game.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-hawthorn-9248647">Bailey Dale 35+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Thursday, June 5th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:30 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Marvel Stadium, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch</strong>: Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>