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Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL Tips - Bombers and Crows to take it to the wire

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 20 Mar 2025

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Ryan Tucker 20 Mar 2025

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Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 2 AFL game
The game will be played at MCG, with the bounce at 1:20 PM (AEDT)
Adelaide Crows are favorites to win against the Essendon Bombers with a 1-39 margin.
Essendon struggles with key player injuries affecting their gameplay.
Adelaide's strong form and accuracy tipped them for success, focus on Jake Soligo's expected key performance.

Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction

A tight contest is expected on Saturday with the Crows tipped to take the win on the road as favourites.

Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Essendon Bombers Team News
Essendon Bombers Team List
Adelaide Crows Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Adelaide Crows Team News
Adelaide Crows Team List
Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2 FAQ’s

In my opinion this game could come down to one kick so I am staying away from the inflated line and taking Adelaide with the 1-39 margin. The Crows have essentially a clean bill of health with multiple players pushing for the same positions in the team. It has been a long time since this team has been in that situation and we saw last week how efficient they were with their top players on deck.

The Bombers are struggling with injuries already this early in the season and lose two warriors in Langford and Ridley from last weekend’s loss. They had trouble containing the run and speed of Hawthorn but controlled the midfield quite well.

My expectation is that the mids of both teams will be battling it out all day and this will lead to a tight battle with scoring at a premium. With fewer opportunities I like Adelaide’s consistency and accuracy in front of goal compared to Essendon and that is why I believe they will come out on top.

Take the Crows 1-39, Game Total Under and Jake Soligo to produce a similar on-ball performance as last week getting 25+ touches.

6 of the last 7 games between these two teams have finished with a 1-39 margin.
Adelaide were 4th in the league in Accuracy last season and kicked at 61.8% last weekend.
Only 4 of 11 games so far this year have gone Under, a regression is imminent.
Jake Soligo had 29 disposals last weekend and had 21 & 31 in his two games against the Bombers last year.

Head to Head

Since the start of 2019 Essendon have won 6 of the 7 games played between these teams with their 6 game win streak over the Crows broken last season. Adelaide ran out 115-113 victors at Marvel Stadium in a game that went Over the Total.

The Over is 4-3 in the seven game span while the winning margin has been 1-39 in all but 1 of the matches played.

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
0-1	0-1	1-0

The Bombers had just 1 less scoring shot than the Hawks in their Round 1 matchup last weekend but were blown off the scoreboard 111-85 with the difference in accuracy telling the story.

Despite Essendon winning the clearances for the majority of the night they had trouble containing their fast paced opposition who ran rings around them to secure better spots to convert their chances in front of goal.

The Bombers looked lively in the 3rd term but still could not bring the deficit within reach. Zach Merrett and Kyle Langford each kicked 2 goals while Jye Caldwell led all players with 36 disposals as well as a solitary goal. Langford pulled up short with a hamstring injury toward the end of the match.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
0-1	1-0	0-1	0-0

Essendon Bombers Team News

Kyle Langford will miss 4-6 weeks after pulling a hammy in the loss to the Hawks. Jordan Ridley was concussed during the game and will go through protocol leaving him on the sideline for this matchup.

Darcy Parish and Jayden Laverde are likely still a week away, Alwyn Davey and Will Setterfield both were not able to pass fitness tests to be selected.

Essendon Bombers Team List

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Prior

HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, N.Martin

C: X.Duursma, J.Caldwell, A.Roberts

HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, A.Perkins

F: H.Jones, S.Draper, I.Kako

FOLL: N.Bryan, S.Durham, Z.Merrett - C

I/C: E.Tsatas, B.Hobbs, D.Shiel, J.Menzie, T.Edwards

EMG: L.Hayes, L.Lual, S.El-Hawli

Adelaide Crows Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
1-0	1-0	1-0

Adelaide looked in great form as they dismantled the Saints last weekend, running out 63 point winners in their home opener.

The Crows finished 4th in Accuracy last season and continued that into 2025 kicking 21 goals and only 9 behinds in the victory. Darcy Fogarty (4) and Riley Thilthorpe (3) had a field day in front of the sticks while Matt Crouch topped his team with 31 touches.

Adelaide won centre clearances 20-11 as well as dominating the hitouts 53-36. They had 60 more uncontested possessions than their opponents who had trouble keeping pace. Number 4 draft pick Sid Draper was subbed on for veteran Tex Walker in the 3rd quarter and picked up 8 disposals and 2 clearances.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
1-0	1-0	0-0	1-0

Adelaide Crows Team News

No new injury news for the Crows.

Adelaide Crows Team List

B: J.Worrell, M.Keane, R.Laird

HB: W.Milera, N.Murray, M.Hinge

C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson - C, L.Sholl

HF: B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, I.Rankine

F: D.Fogarty, T.Walker, A.Neal-Bullen

FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Soligo, M.Crouch

I/C: S.Draper, J.Rachele, J.Peatling, M.Michalanney, D.Curtin

EMG: L.Nankervis, L.Murphy, T.Murray

Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2 FAQ’s

How to watch Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2?

You can watch the Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2?

To buy tickets to the Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows AFL 2025 Round 2 game check the AFL website or the official Essendon Bombers site.

Verdict

Essendon v Adelaide

Take the Crows 1-39, Game Total Under and Jake Soligo to produce a similar on-ball performance as last week getting 25+ touches.

Adelaide 1-39

Winning Margin

$2.20 - 3 Units

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Game Total

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J Soligo 25+

Disposals

$2.15 - 1 Unit

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