Essendon v Brisbane Lions betting tips & prediction; AFL Rd 9 preview

Welcome to our Essendon v Brisbane Lions betting tips and predictions for their clash on Friday night, on the third day of 20 successive days of AFL football.

The Lions are sitting in second place on the ladder and go into this match against the Bombers as red-hot favourites, even though the Bombers are also well in the finals mix and have a game in hand.

We think the Lions are deserved favourites given their list of victims this season includes heavyweights West Coast, Port Adelaide and GWS.

The Dons have had a much kinder draw with their only big-name scalp so far that of a hot and cold Collingwood.

Of course, Essendon will fancy their chances of taking a big scalp in the Lions, and they have a good recent record against them. In 2019, the Bombers won their only clash with the Lions by 47 points.

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Both teams have been forced into plenty of changes for this clash.

Brisbane have lost ruckman Archie Smith, Daniel Rich (hamstring) and Ryan Lester (hamstring) to injury, Daniel McStay to suspension and have dropped Thomas Berry.

In come defender Alex Witherden, midfielder Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Noah Answerth, Sam Skinner and debutant Connor Ballenden.

The Bombers have made five changes of their own, with Conor McKenna and Shaun McKernan  rested, Mitch Hibberd dropped and Jayden Laverde (ankle) lost to injury and Kyle Langford to suspension.

But they regain key midfielder Dylan Shiel after suspension, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, former Lion Tom Cutler and forward James Stewart. Young big man Sam Draper makes his debut for Essendon.

Below we present our free Essendon v Brisbane Lions betting tips and winner prediction for their Friday night clash, being played at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

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Bombers v Lions odds

Start:	8.10pm Local Time, July 31
Venue:	Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
Head-to-head odds:	Essendon ($2.85) v Bribane Lions ($1.43)
Line betting:	Essendon +13.5 ($1.90) v Brisbane Lions -13.5 ($1.90)
Premiership odds:	Essendon $26; Brisbane Lions $6.50

Bombers v Lions tips

Our AFL betting expert has canvassed the odds for some value and found several Bombers v Lions tips for Friday’s game.

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Essendon Bombers v Brisbane Lions prediction 31/7/2020

This should be an enlightening clash as to where the Bombers actually sit after a friendly draw through the first eight rounds. They face a team in good form and also having the advantage of playing in their home state. The Bombers are on the rise, no doubt, but it’s hard to see them kicking a winning score this time. Our final Essendon v Brisbane prediction? Lions by 28 points.

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Bombers v Lions lowdown

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