HEAD TO HEAD: Carlton 15 wins, Adelaide 14 wins, no draws
LAST TIME: Adelaide 6.19 (55) def by Carlton 16.7 (103), round 4, 2010 at AAMI Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM - Carlton: WWLD Adelaide: WBLL
SUMMARY
Neither side is taking great form into this match with the Blues failing to overcome an injury-hit Bombers side and settling for a draw, and the Crows giving up an early lead over Port Adelaide to fall to a disappointing 32-point loss.
Both coaches are dealing with a bit of external pressure as a result, but the manner of Adelaide's meek surrender to its cross-town rivals will be a major concern to Neil Craig. He's had some injury heartache to deal with, but even so, he needs to conjure a much more even performance from his team to prevail here.
Brett Ratten has concerns of his own with Carlton's forward line failing to fire in the past two weeks.
The Crows enjoyed a seven-game winning streak against the Blues before last year's turnaround and could possibly add some much-needed experience to the line-up with Scott Stevens, Michael Doughty and Richard Tambling chances to return from injury.
QUESTION MARKS
Where will the Blues' goals come from? They've managed just 74 and 79 points in their past two outings. Full-forward Lachie Henderson couldn't get near it in his first game of the season last weekend, but he'll be better for the run.
Can the Crows muster a four-quarter effort? There will always be ebbs and flows throughout a match, but Craig's men have displayed maddening inconsistency in their work rate during each of their three games this season.
PREDICTION:
Carlton by 16 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH:
No wonder Adelaide went after Andrew Walker during the last trade period - he torched the Crows with 36 and 30-possession performances in the last two encounters. Could be a big scorer again.
Bernie Vince has disappointed three games into this campaign, but has posted big scores against the Blues in the past.
Follow afl.com.au's live coverage of the game in the AFL Match Centre, and join the conversation on Twitter using #aflbluescrows.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
