Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips & prediction

Essendon will be aiming to bounce back from their ANZAC Day loss to Collingwood, when they clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. 

The Bombers have been installed a $1.45 favourite to defeat the Roos ($2.78), with the line set at 16.5, which could find a few fans on both sides of the ledger.

The Bombers were disappointing against Collingwood in their 41-point loss but were beaten by a better team, who were more efficient with ball in hand and more effective around the stoppages. 

The Bombers are likely to have Dylan Shiel and Harry Jones fit after injury scares against the Pies, while tough midfielder Jye Caldwell has returned to full training and looks an automatic in. Longer term injury victims Nik Cox, Matt Guelfi and Angus Clarke are likely to return through the VFL. 

The Roos suffered a blow with Paul Curtis being rubbed out for three matches for a dangerous tackle against Port Adelaide, but Zac Fisher and Matt Whitlock are available. 

The Roos have slumped to 17th on the AFL ladder with just one win after seven starts, and with increasing pressure on coach Alastair Clarkson, they need a positive showing against the Bombers. 

Last start the Roos were gallant, but ultimately fell short against Port Adelaide on the road, after squandering some easy shots on goal, with their key spearhead Nick Larkey unusually wasteful.

Continue reading our free Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips for their AFL round 8 clash at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. 

Essendon v North Melbourne tips

Our AFL betting expert has cast his eye over matchup and found some Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips:

Kyle Langford to kick 3+ goals

Langford returned from injury last round and struggled to have an impact against the well-oiled Magpies defence, but he should find it a lot easier against the Roos. Langford is paying around $3.15 to kick 3+ goals, or if you want a safer option in your multis, take him for two goals. 

Luke Davies-Uniacke 25+ touches

We feel like the North Melbourne ace has been below his best in 2025, but the signs were positive against the Power. He’s unlikely to be tagged against the Bombers and 25 disposals looks well within his grasp again, given this is a game the Roos should be well in contention to win. I don’t think you will get $1.80 on LDU racking up 25+ in a few weeks when he hits his straps. 

Bombers v Roos prediction 

Essendon need to win this game to stay in contention to play finals, while the Roos are also in a tough spot and need to begin to show some signs. If we’re brutally honest, we could see an upset on the cards here, largely because the Roos on paper match up well through the middle of the ground. But the smart money remains with the Bombers, with their backline more settled and slightly more firepower up front. Our final Essendon v North Melbourne prediction? Bombers by eight points.