Essendon's season will keep on declining as they face Western Bulldogs on Friday night footy at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers are 2-2 but were poor in defeat to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round.
Three underdogs have been backed to perform better than expected, including two teams yet to secure a win.
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Below are The Sporting News’ tips and predictions for Round 5:
Odds via TAB.
Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon prediction, tip, best bet
There is a feeling that things are about to head south at Essendon.
Both their wins this season - against Hawthorn and St Kilda - have been victories where they lost the 'expected score'.
Last weekend's limp loss to Port Adelaide showed where Essendon are really at and it's going to be a remarkable recovery if their season is to be successful.
The Bulldogs will be keen to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to Geelong and there is only one result here.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 38 points.
Best bet: Western Bulldogs -16.5 ($1.90)
GWS vs. St Kilda prediction, tip, best bet
The Giants are flying at 4-0 but showed they do have weaknesses against the Suns last week, before pulling away in the final quarter.
In a rematch of last season's elimination final, the Saints have been up-and-down this season but highly competitive in all of their matches.
With a bit of luck and better finishing, St Kilda could be 4-0 themselves and this match be an absolute blockbuster in terms of record.
Ross Lyon teams rarely get beaten by decent margins so we're backing a scrappy match and the Saints to beat their line.
Prediction: GWS by 10 points.
Best bet: St Kilda +19.5 ($1.90)
Gold Coast vs. Hawthorn prediction, tip, best bet
The Suns are being spoken about as the next big thing, but we are not convinced here and they are likely to be inconsistent.
That has been evident in defeat to the Bulldogs, while they fell away against GWS last weekend.
Hawthorn are unlucky to not have two wins on the board against Essendon and Collingwood and can take it to the Suns even though the match is on the Gold Coast.
It's a risk to back a Hawks victory but there is no doubt they can cover off their line.
Prediction: Gold Coast by 7 points.
Best bet: Hawthorn +22.5 ($1.90)
West Coast vs. Richmond prediction, tip, best bet
Finally we saw some fight from West Coast at Gather Round as they led Sydney in the third quarter.
Richmond have been gallant in their defeats and secured a great win against the Swans but injuries are taking a toll.
They struggled to score in the second half against St Kilda and if it wasn't for Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin, they would have been thrashed.
If the Eagles can clamp on the two dangerous Tiger forward/midfielders, they can win the match, let alone beat their line.
Prediction: Richmond by 12 points.
Best bet: West Coast +19.5 ($1.90)
