MCG will play host to Friday's Round 5 AFL game between Collingwood and Essendon . The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Collingwood heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Collingwood vs. Essendon game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday July 3, 2020 at 7:50 pm

Where: MCG

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Odds

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Preview

In normal times this would be the showpiece standalone ANZAC day fixture and the MCG would be packed with 95,000 fans instead Collingwood and Essendon meet on a cold, mid-winter night in front of no one.

There will still be some feeling to this clash as both teams will be desperate to bounce back after last weekend.

Collingwood not only suffered a narrow loss to GWS last Friday night but they also lost Jeremy Howe to a horrible PCL injury, along with that veteran Steele Sidebottom is facing time on the sidelines due to breaching the AFL’s very strict COVID19 guidelines.

You wouldn’t want to write off the Pies just yet, they still are very much in the hunt right now but they should be winning games like GWS last weekend.

Injury is also getting the better of Essendon, who suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to Carlton.

The Essendon Football Club has suffered more drama than anything dished up on Neighbours or Home and Away in recent years if not weeks.

First, there was Connor McKenna’s positive test, the postponement of the Melbourne game (which still needs to be played) and then Jacob Townsend misses the shot on goal to win them the game in the dying seconds.

McKenna is likely to return to the side but they will be missing the likes of Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett which will put a serious dent in their midfield.

Collingwood has dominated the Bombers in recent years having won 15 of their past 20 including their past four games against them.

The Pies will be simply too good for the Dons and get the job done easily.

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