ESSENDON hosts Carlton in a huge King's Birthday Eve blockbuster at the MCG on Sunday night.
The Bombers (8-3-1) had their unbeaten streak snapped at seven matches after they failed to make the most of their chances against Gold Coast last week.
BOMBERS v BLUES Follow it LIVE
But the Bombers could rubber stamp their top-four credentials with a win over the Blues in a battle of the resurgent heavyweights.
Carlton (8-4) is now just two points behind old foe Essendon in second spot after three wins over finals contenders Melbourne, Gold Coast and Port Adelaide in its past four matches.
The new-look Blues have even been smashing long-standing hoodoos like winning at Adelaide Oval, and now seem primed to launch into the top four ahead of their bye.
The Bombers welcome back Todd Goldstein and Will Setterfield in place of Mason Redman (hamstring) and Nick Bryan (omitted), while Corey Durdin is in for the Blues with Orazio Fantasia (shoulder) out injured.
Essendon v Carlton at the MCG, 7.20pm AEST
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SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Elijah Tsatas
Carlton: Corey Durdin
Sydney v Geelong at the SCG, 3.20pm AEST
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SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Braeden Campbell
Geelong: Gary Rohan
SWANS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
