AFL: Major Sunday for Bulldogs and Hawks

Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn have a great chance to cement their place in the top eight when they face struggling sides on Sunday.

The Bulldogs and Hawks sit seventh and eighth on the ladder and are locked on 48 points heading into the penultimate round of the regular season.

Nothing other than four points will do for both sides as the Bulldogs prepare to entertain North Melbourne, while Hawthorn take on Richmond.

Carlton, who are just two points behind them, are also in action when they travel to Perth to take on West Coast Eagles.

It means that Sunday is shaping up to be a pivotal day in the race to make the top eight and there is no room for error.

Bulldogs looking to bounce back

. What: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
. Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
. When: 13:10 (AEST), Sunday 18th August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.08, North Melbourne 8.00

The Bulldogs looked a sure thing for finals and some were talking about them being dark horses to win the premiership this season.

However, a 39-point defeat against the Crows in Adelaide last week stopped them in their tracks.

Now there is work to be done to make sure of a place in the eight and four points against struggling North Melbourne is a must.

The two sides did meet in Round 16 and it was a close encounter, with the Bulldogs eventually running out winners by 17 points.

The previous clash saw the Bulldogs win by 21 points, so the Kangaroos are most definitely no pushovers.

It could be close again and the Bulldogs are priced at 7.50 to win by 13-24 points.

Nick Larkey continues to be a big threat for North Melbourne, having booted 45 goals so far this season.

The gun forward can be backed at 10.00 to kick the first goal of the game, or 1.07 to score at anytime.

Hawks on track and ready to down Tigers

. What: Hawthorn v Richmond
. Where: MCG, Melbourne
. When: 15:20 (AEST), Sunday 18th August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Hawthorn 1.08, Richmond 8.00

Hawthorn responded to a narrow loss against Greater Western Sydney by crushing Carlton last week and now need to see off Richmond.

The Tigers have just two wins all season, so it should be straightforward, however shocks do happen and Hawthorn have to stay focused.

Hawthorn did win by 48 points when the two sides met in Round 14 and the Hawks have gone from strength-to-strength since then.

They will be out to put on another big score and are priced at 4.25 to smash the Tigers by 73+ points.

Jack Gunston was on fire against Carlton and was one of three players to boot three goals in the victory.

He can be backed at 10.00 to kick the first goal of the game.