The Western Bulldogs will host the Bombers in one of the games of Round 21 in the AFL from Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon! PuntingInDanger has his best bet and same game multi for the clash below.
Remember to check out our AFL Round 21 Tips page for our thoughts on all nine games across the weekend!
AFL Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Sunday 8th August, 3.20pm (AEST)
Two of the most exciting teams in the league will square off on what was originally supposed to be the Friday night marquee clash, but was forced to be rescheduled to Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
Match Preview
The Bombers looked on the brink of playing finals but losses in their last two games to the Giants and Swans have seen them slip to 10th place on the ladder. They are still just four points outside of the top eight and with a percentage of 102.7, they might only need to win two of their remaining three games to pinch a finals berth.
Winning all three will be their goal, however, and if they can somehow win here against the Dogs, the road will become much easier with games against the Suns and Magpies to round out the season. Dylan Shiel returned to the line-up a few weeks ago and they could get young midfielder Jye Caldwell back this week. There is no doubt still some injury concerns at Windy Hill, but they are slowly starting to look more and more healthy.
The Bulldogs are sitting pretty at the top of the table, having won five of their last six games, the most recent of which a very comfortable 49-point victory over the Crows in Ballarat on the weekend. Their offence is looking particularly damaging at the moment, having scored a whopping 1809 points this season, by far the most of any team in the competition.
The Dogs start as 21.5-point favourites here and while I confess, I thought that line would be a little higher, it doesn’t interest me one way or another. What I LOVE is the over. These are two of the most dynamic offences in the league at the moment along with the Sydney Swans. We saw the Swans and Bombes put up 211 combined points on the weekend and I think this game could be played in a similar way, if not a little more favoured towards the Bulldogs.
These two teams have a knack of playing in high scoring games against each other. The Dogs have averaged 110.7 points per game against the Bombers in their last seven games, and that is including the 2020 clash in shortened quarters. These two teams have combined for more than 165.5 points in 26 of their last 29 meetings dating all the way back to the year 2000.
Over 165.5 (2 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagen has looked impressive over the last few weeks, kicking six goals in his last three games. I think this one could be an absolute goal fest so $2.10 is great value for the forward to kick multiple games for the third time in his first five games.
Bailey Smith has had possession numbers of 27, 33, 26 and 29 in his last four games. 20+ this week should be a given as a safe leg in the SGM. As should ach Merrett to have 25+ touches, a feat which he has achieves in 9 of his last 10 games.
Ugle-Hagen 2+ Goals
Smith 20+ Disp.
Merrett 25+ Disp.
WB vs ESS Same Game Multi
$2.80
