Essendon v Sydney tips, prediction & odds update; AFL Rd 20 preview

Welcome to our Essendon v Sydney tips, prediction and odds analysis ahead of their AFL round 20 clash  at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. 

The Bombers v Swans match was originally scheduled for the Gabba on Saturday night, but with Queensland going into a lockdown because of covid, the AFL has move the game 24 hours later.

Both of these teams are in finals contention, with the sixth-placed Swans just four points behind fourth, while the Bombers are just two point behind eighth-placed GWS. 

The Bombers blew a golden opportunity against GWS last outing, dropping a game they were meant to win, by 13 points. Fans will not be too critical of the young Bombers, who have performed above expectations this year, but they will need to lift another gear to trouble the Swans. 

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Sydney has rattled off four successive wins with their latest a 40-point demolition of Fremantle, that was highlighted by a magnificent performance from Isaac Heeney and the report of star forward Lance Franklin. Buddy successfully challenged his striking charge and will be free to play the Bombers. 

Betting sites in Australia have installed the Swans ($1.36) a short-priced favourite to defeat the Bombers ($3.17), with the fact it is being played in Queensland undoubtedly having an impact. The line has been set at a very tempting 18.5 at Sportsbet Australia. 

Essendon has made the call to drop mainstay forward Cale Hooker after several quiet weeks, while Brayden Ham, David Zaharakis and Matt Guelfi are also omitted. Aaron Francis. Dylan Clarke and Kyle Langford have been called up. 

Sydney has recalled ace midfielder Callum Mills and Harry Cunningham, with Ben Ronke, Hayden McLean and James Rowbottom all dropped. 

Continue reading for our free Essendon Bombers v Sydney Swans betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 20 clash on Sunday, August 1, 2021. 

Start:	3:20pm AEST, August 1
Venue:	MCG, Melbourne
Head-to-head odds:	Essendon ($3.50) v Sydney ($1.36)
Line betting:	Essendon +18.5 ($1.90) v Sydney -18.5 ($1.90)
Premiership odds:	Sydney $9.50; Essendon $101

Essendon v Sydney tips

Our AFL betting expert has cast his eye over the markets and found some value Essendon v Sydney tips:

Essendon v Sydney prediction 31/7/2021

While Sydney have been magnificent this season which goes against many expert predictions, we are not sure they should be a $1.30 favourite to win this clash, which will be played at the MCG. Both of these teams have been on the road for close to three weeks and it’s hard to predict how their respective energy levels will be. While Sydney shade the Bombers on the ladder these two teams are both young and on the rise, which can lead to inconsistent performances, so for this reason we will take the greater odds on offer surrounding the underdog. Our final Sydney v Essendon prediction? Bombers by 3 points. 

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