Essendon vs Hawthorn Prediction and Tips - AFL Round 1, 2026
Last updated: Mar 9, 2026, 7:15AM | Published: Mar 9, 2026, 5:15AM
Essendon will take on the favoured Hawthorn in AFL Round 1 action at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, beginning at 7:40pm AEDT.
This article features Stats Insider's top betting tips for the Essendon vs Hawthorn game, as well as the latest betting odds.
Who Will Win?
Using advanced machine learning and data, Stats Insider has simulated the outcome of Friday's Essendon vs Hawthorn AFL match 10,000 times.
Our proven predictive analytics model gives the Hawks an 80% chance of beating the Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Essendon vs Hawthorn: Odds
The latest Bet365 betting odds for Friday's AFL clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground are listed below:
- Head to Head: Essendon $4.20, Hawthorn $1.23
- Line: Essendon +27.5 ($1.91), Hawthorn -27.5 ($1.91)
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Looking at the latest head-to-head odds, Bet365 currently has Essendon at $4.20 and Hawthorn at $1.23.
The Bombers are listed as 27.5-point underdogs against the Hawks, with odds of $1.91 available at Bet365.
For the favourite Hawks (-27.5) to cover the line, Bet365 offers odds of $1.91.
Essendon vs Hawthorn: Betting Tips
Today's Essendon vs Hawthorn best bets are based on world-class modelling and wagering intelligence to help you place more informed bets with your chosen online bookie.
Essendon vs Hawthorn: Prediction
Stats Insider's predicted final score for Essendon vs Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday is Hawthorn winning 102-73.
This prediction is based on each team's average score from 10,000 game simulations.
Stats Insider provides full coverage of the Essendon vs Hawthorn match on Friday, including data-driven predictions and computer tips.
18+. Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.Our model updates regularly, so refresh this page for the latest betting predictions before the Essendon vs Hawthorn match.
As always, see our Best Bets for betting tips on every AFL match, plus predictions for a wide range of other sports.
Essendon vs Hawthorn: Essential Details
The AFL Round 1 clash between the Bombers and Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is scheduled to begin at 7:40pm AEDT on Friday.
- Teams: Essendon vs Hawthorn
- Date: Friday 13 March 2026
- Time: 7:40pm AEDT
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
All dates and times mentioned in this article are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), unless otherwise stated.
Conclusion
Our Essendon vs Hawthorn predictions are based on 10,000 data-driven simulations of the match, all curated by our team of experienced data scientists and analysts. We use the latest in predictive analytics technology and machine learning to ensure our AFL tips are accurate and reliable, so that you can make informed decisions with confidence.
If you choose to use our predictions for betting purposes, it's vital to gamble responsibly and know when to stop. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
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