Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day betting tips, prediction and odds; AFL rd 6 preview

Welcome to our Collingwood v Essendon betting tips, predictions and odds analysis for their Anzac Day blockbuster AFL round 6 clash at the MCG on Sunday. 

This is the traditional AFL Anzac Day clash, though this year three matches are being played on the day, with Hawthorn hosting Adelaide Crows at University of Tasmania Stadium from 12.30pm and Port Adelaide playing St Kilda at Adelaide Oval from 6.40pm.

The Magpies-Essendon Anzac Day match started in 1995 with a memorable draw, with the Magpies leading the winners tally 15-9, with that single draw.

Even when the teams are both struggling, as is the case this year, it is among the most highly anticipated home and away matches of the season.

MORE:
Melbourne v Richmond tips
Port Adelaide v St Kilda tips
AFL round 6 fixture

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is in desperate need of a convincing win with his team sitting at 1-4 after another honourable loss last weekend against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.

The Bombers are also sitting 1-4 after five rounds and are coming off a 10-goal drubbing at the hands of Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Saturday night. Their only win for the season so far was a thrashing of unpredictable St Kilda.

Collingwood have been installed around $1.69 favourites by online bookmakers with the Bombers around the $2.20 mark and the handicap line set at -6.5 points for the Magpies.

While neither of these teams is remotely likely to challenge for the flag this season, there is a lot at stake in this game.

For the winners, the dream of a finals berth will be revived; for the losers, a 1-5 records means they can probably put a line through any chance of taking part in the September action.

Team news for Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day clash

Collingwood will be forced into several changes, with star forward Jordan De Goey (facial injury, concussion) and defender Jeremy Howe (hamstring) both injured early in the match against the Eagles and unavailable. Tagger Levi Greenwood (concussion) has also been ruled out under the AFL’s protocols for dealing with concussion, while Irish recruit Mark Keane was suspended one match for tripped the Eagles’ Josh Kennedy.

Magpies youngster Jay Rantall, a former elite basketballer and the club’s new time-trial king, will make his debut in the midfield, while promising but injury prone tall Will Kelly, Will Hoskin-Elliott, rangy Nathan Murphy, Tyler Brown and Brayden Sier are among the mix for selection.

Essendon will call up ruckman Andrew Phillips, who did well in his first match for the Bombers last season in direct opposition to star Magpies big man Brodie Grundy.

The former Blues and Giants ruckman is a physical beast and will be backed up in the ruck by former Suns big man Peter Wright, while Grundy will get support from Darcy Cameron.

Essendon will be without star defender Jordan Ridley (concussion) with Brand Zerk-Thatcher his likely replacement.

Continue reading for our free Collingwood Magpies v Essendon Bombers tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 6 clash being played on April 25, 2021. 

Start:	3.20pm AEST, April 25
Venue:	MCG, Melbourne
Head-to-head odds:	Collingwood ($1.69) v Essendon ($2.20)
Line betting:	Collingwood -6.5 points ($1.90) v Essendon +6.5 ($1.90)
Premiership odds:	Collingwood $41; Essendon $101

Magpies v Bombers tips

WGL’s AFL betting expert has found some value Collingwood-Essendon tips for Sunday’s game:

Magpies v Bombers prediction 25/4/2021

This is always a special clash between two teams with a long and storied rivalry. It will be a little flatter than normal with only a 75 per cent crowd permitted but when the first ball is bounced that will all be forgotten. You will simply have two football teams fighting for their seasons, and maybe even one coach fighting for his job. The weather forecast is for a cold but clear day, and there is always plenty of feeling between these two teams. Just enjoy the spectacle at the best arena in the game. Our final Collingwood v Essendon prediction? Magpies by 14 points. 

MORE SPORTS TIPS

Relevant news