Essendon vs Sydney Preview & Prediction | 2025 AFL | Regular Season | Round 9

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The Essendon Bombers host the Sydney Swans in a rare Melbourne match for the two long time rivals.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 10th May, 2025: UK – 7:15am / Local – 4:15pm / US ET – 2:15am / Friday 9th May, US PT – 11:15pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / US – Watch AFL

The prediction

The Essendon Bombers defeated the North Melbourne Kangaroos 65-62 in a less than inspiring game at Marvel Stadium last week. It was another performance against a lowly side that didn’t do much to inspire Bomber faithful as their draw begins to get much more difficult in the coming weeks.
 

The Sydney Swans got the better of their cross-town rivals last week with an 87-73 victory at the SCG. The Swans led at every break and repelled the challenge of the Giants all day. Chad Warner had 24 disposals, including nine score involvements which will make Swans fans feel better about his recent contract renewal.

For many years this match was traditionally held in Sydney due to the volume of Essendon supporters interstate and the drawcard nature of a “big” Melbourne club and this will only be the seventh match in Melbourne since 2013. The position of these two teams on the ladder belies their true abilities and the Swans offered a glimpse of their full potential last week against the Giants.

Essendon have yet to prove they can be competitive for four quarters against the better sides and we think the Swans are the better side in this one.

 

Essendon vs Sydney tip: Sydney to win