Marvel Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 20 AFL game between Essendon and Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 7:20 pm with Western Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday July 25, 2025 at 7:20 pm

Where: Marvel Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Odds

Essendon vs Western Bulldogs Preview

With their finals hopes on the brink, the Western Bulldogs face a do-or-die clash against a faltering Essendon outfit at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. The Bulldogs have dropped their last two and continue to struggle against top-eight teams, managing just one win from nine attempts. Sitting one game outside the eight, there’s no margin for error.

Essendon’s season has hit rock bottom after a seventh consecutive loss, with injuries only worsening their plight. Last week’s heavy defeat to GWS exposed more cracks, and they now face the same Bulldogs side that thumped them by 91 points in Round 10 — a game where Bailey Dale amassed a club-record 49 disposals and Rhylee West booted four goals.

History and form point to a Bulldogs victory, but with everything on the line, they’ll need to handle the pressure and make it count.