The final round of the 2020 AFL Season continues on a Saturday and the first match for the day features the Essendon Bombers taking on the Melbourne Demons, at Metricon Stadium.
To have any chance of playing finals, the Demons will need to win this clash, so that makes it intriguing in itself.
Friday Night Football last night and the Saints managed to defeat the Giants to make the finals for the first time since 2011.
Checkout some of the highlights below, courtesy of the AFL on Youtube.
Be sure to check back before each AFL Match for AFL Previews, AFL Footy Tips and AFL Predictions for each round of the 2020 AFL Season.
Tipping Results So Far
Round 18 Tips – 2/2
Round 18 Player Props – 3/3
Season Tips – 103/146 = 70.54%
Season Player Props – 59/106 = 55.66%
Essendon Bombers vs Melbourne Demons
Last Meeting
Round 3, 2019 Melbourne 18.4 112 – Essendon 20.10 130
(Essendon by 18 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
Essendon – 3 Wins
Melbourne – 2 Wins
Last Round
The Bombers were again very disappointing in Round 17 and will be looking forward to the season’s end. They were smashed by the Power and lost the match by 50 Points.
The Demons managed to keep their season alive with a gutsy 5 point win against the Giants last Saturday Night.
Team Changes
The Bombers have made three changes for this clash with Mitchell Hibberd, Andrew Phillips and Jacob Townsend all being omitted. Coming into the side is Michael Hurley, Jayden Laverde and Mason Redman.
Just the one change at the Demons after their win last week. Neville Jetta has been omitted from the side and coming into the team is Michael Hibberd.
Current Head to Head Odds
Essendon – $2.60
Melbourne – $1.50
Prediction
With a possible finals spot on the line, the Demons will be out to make a statement in this clash at decent odds. The Bombers have looked very unconvincing over the last month, and it is hard to see them winning this match.
If the Demons can control the middle with Max Gawn in the ruck and get some supply from their forwards, they should win this match quite comfortably.
Our Pick – Melbourne (Win)
Player Prop – Kyle Langford + 67.5 Fantasy Points
Langford has the potential to play in the middle of the ground and may receive more time in the middle in this match. The Demons are sixth in the league this season for point conceded to opposition midfielders, and he has an average of 74 over his last 5 matches.
Player Prop – Clayton Oliver + 88.5 Fantasy Points
The Bombers are 7th this season for points conceded to opposition midfielders and Oliver comes up against a side that is really struggling. Given the Demons need to win to have any hope of playing finals, he should step up and cover this line. Has a season average of 93 Fantasy Points per match.