SUMMARY
Sunday's game against 14th-placed Carlton provides the in-form Crows with an excellent opportunity to move into the top four for the first time this season with a seventh consecutive victory. Adelaide returns to the MCG, where it scored its third consecutive win on the road against Melbourne last Sunday. The Crows have the most potent forward line in the league and their midfield spearheaded by Rory Sloane wins plenty of the ball in close. At its best Carlton has been capable of playing exciting football this season, but the Blues have lost their past three games and will be desperate to return to the winners' list. While Carlton's defence led by Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty held firm last Saturday night, its attack lacks potency and its midfield appears one-paced without injured skipper Marc Murphy.
Matthew Kreuzer has been struggling for form in the past few matches
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, July 10, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2015, Adelaide 14.15 (99) d Carlton 14.6 (90) at the MCG
R10, 2014, Carlton 12.9 (81) d Adelaide 10.16 (76) at the MCG
R5, 2013, Carlton 17.13 (115) d Adelaide 12.11 (83) at the MCG
R8, 2012, Adelaide 19.10 (124) d Carlton 8.7 (55) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2011, Carlton 11.19 (85) d Adelaide 12.7 (79) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Despite losing the game the last time these clubs met, Carlton had more disposals (410-322), took more marks (102-82) and had only one fewer inside 50. Josh Jenkins kicked five goals for the Crows.
2. The Crows' advantage could be in contested possessions. Adelaide is ranked equal second with 152.9 a game and the Blues have struggled, ranked last with 130.4 a match.
3. Carlton and Adelaide will meet for the 35th time and the Blues hold a narrow advantage, with 18 games to 16 including four of the past six.
4. The Crows are the highest-scoring team this season, averaging 113 points a game. The Blues are ranked second last with only 72 points a match.
5. The clubs have played at the MCG five times, with Carlton winning three games to Adelaide's two. They have clashed 23 times in Melbourne, with 14 wins to nine in the Blues' favour.
6. Crows giant Sam Jacobs is the fourth-best ruckman in the AFL with 457.7 points, according to the Schick Official AFL Ratings. On Sunday Jacobs, ranked No.42 overall, will face his former teammate Matthew Kreuzer, who is the 20th-ranked ruckman (No.295 overall) with 250.3 points.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Matthew Kreuzer
After a promising start to the season, the Carlton ruckman has struggled in the past month. With skipper Marc Murphy still on the sidelines, the Blues need their experienced players to step up and Kreuzer's battle with former teammate Sam Jacobs will go a long way towards deciding this encounter.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 22 points
