Carlton v Essendon: AFL Sunday preview

Carlton return to action after the bye and desperately need to kick-start their season against the Bombers at the MCG on Sunday.

Before the week off, the Blues had lost three out of four games, and their chances of making the eight are hanging in the balance.

They sit 13th on the ladder, but need to get their act together if they are to make finals, and they have a good run of fixtures coming up.

The clash with the Bombers is the first of three must-win games that can elevate them up the ladder if they get the job done.

Essendon are 10th and are showing signs they are ready to make the eight.

They were competitive before losing to Brisbane last week and can take the positives from that loss in to Sunday’s showdown.

Carlton v Essendon betting preview

Carlton face huge three weeks

If Carlton are to make the eight they need to make the most of the next three games when they face Essendon, West Coast and North Melbourne.

Three wins will put them back in contention and there can be no slip-ups.

Carlton have struggled against the premiership contenders, but have done well against teams outside of the eight, so look good to go.

The Blues have won two of the last three games against the Bombers, and both were by a margin of 26 points.

If history is to repeat itself once again, Carlton are priced at 5.50 to win by 25-36 points.

Carlton have side packed full of quality, and Adam Cerra is a player that has been standing out despite his team’s struggles.

The midfielder is averaging 25.5 disposals a game, a career high, and he can be backed at 1.87 to collect 25+ against the Bombers.

Charlie Curnow will be dangerous as per usual and is priced at 8.50 to boot the first goal of the game.

Bombers eye upset

Essendon showed what they are made of when, despite missing key players, they still managed to give Brisbane a run for their money last week.

This week they are boosted by the return of gun midfielder Darcy Parish, who will make his first appearance of the season.

Parish can be backed at 3.10 to return with a bang by booting a goal at anytime.

Essendon have gone well against sides outside of the top eight this season, and they will fancy their chances of piling more pressure on Carlton.

Brad Scott’s side are priced at 2.75 to start the game well by winning the first quarter by 1-18 points.

They are also 6.00 to go on and win the game by 1-12 points.

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Carlton v Essendon odds

Carlton - 1.40
Essendon - 3.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.