West Coast v Essendon betting tips, prediction & odds update; AFL Rd 15 preview

Welcome to our West Coast v Essendon betting tips, prediction and odds analysis for their AFL round 15 clash at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

This rates as one of the best matches of round.

The Eagles are right in the mix for a top-four position but need to bounce back quickly after they were exposed by premiership favourites Richmond last round. A win would move them half a win ahead of the Tigers into fourth spot, with just three round remaining after this one.

Meanwhile, Essendon showed signs of life in overrunning Hawthorn last time out and need a win to stay snapping at the heels of the teams at the bottom of the eight.

These two teams have split their past 10 games with five wins apiece, but one common thread is that they have generally been free-flowing, high-scoring affairs and that could continue here on a fast track at the Gabba in sunny Brisbane.

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The Bombers got a huge past last week when perennially injured spearhead Joe Daniher return and immediately gave them a viable tall target up forward.

They have kept Daniher in the side despite the short back-up, which is understandable given the importance of winning this clash.

In fact, the Bombers, who have struggled all season with their key positions, have a wealth of big man talent now, with veteran defender Michael Hurley and exciting ruckman Sam Draper included this week to face the Eagles. Utility Cale Hooker, who is playing his 200th game, was so rusty last week after a stint on the sidelines but will be better for the run.

Captain Dyson Heppell is another big in for the Bombers, who dropped ruckman Andrew Phillips, Brayden Ham and Mason Redman.

Meanwhile, the Eagles, who looked unbeatable playing in Perth but have struggled previously in the Queensland hub, have been forced to leave out key forward Josh Kennedy (concussion), while they have rested Jamie Cripps and dropped Jarrod Brander  and Nic Reid.

Into the Eagles team come midfielder Jack Redden Jackson Nelson, Lewis Jetta and young tall Oscar Allen.

Read on for our free West Coast v Essendon tips ahead of their clash at the Gabba from 8.10pm on Tuesday.

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Eagles v Bombers odds

Start:	8.10pm AEST, September 1
Venue:	Gabba, Brisbane
Head-to-head odds:	West Coast ($1.35) v Essendon ($3.15)
Line betting:	West Coast -15.5 ($1.95) v Essendon +15.5 ($1.85)
Premiership odds:	West Coast $51; Essendon $19

West Coast v Essendon tips

Our AFL betting expert has scoured the odds and found several value Eagles v Bombers tips for Tuesday’s game.

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West Coast Eagles v Essendon Bombers prediction 1/9/2020

The Bombers have become renowned for close matches, with nine of their past 13 games having a margin of 15 points or less. We expect this to be a fairly free-flowing contest and we handicap it a lot closer to even money than the current prices, given the Eagles only two of their six matches in the Queensland hub earlier this season. Of course, they did go an eight-match winning streak but most of those wins came at home. Essendon also have a much more formidable line-up with Daniher, Hooker and Hurley all in the side, and the dry conditions suit. And the Bombers are playing for their football life, so we expect them to come out breathing fire. Our final West Coast v Essendon tip: Bombers by two points.

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Eagles v Bombers lowdown

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