Ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Geelong at Etihad Stadium, essendonfc.com.au takes a look at the burning questions surrounding the contest.

How will Chappy fare against his old side?

No doubt the biggest talking point of this week's game is the former Geelong great, Paul Chapman. Now with the Bombers he will come up against his former side for the first time under the lights at Etihad Stadium.

Spending 13 years with the Cats and playing 251 games, including three premierships, a Norm Smith Medal and a club Best and Fairest, it is fair to say Chappy has a significant tie with his previous club.

What will be on his mind when he lines up? Who will go to him? How will he play? There are a mountain of questions and more that will be answered in what should be a rather emotional night for both Chappy and his former teammates.

Will the yo-yo Cats continue?

It’s been a case of up-and-down for Geelong after losing to Port Adelaide in round six, winning after a loss, yet losing after a win. Coming off the back of a loss to the Suns, if the trend continues, expect the Cats to win.

However, there has been speculation that this Geelong team has lost some of the resilience it had shown during its recent dominant period and cracks within the side are starting to form that might have been covered up in the past.

Arguably there is no better time to knock the Cats off this Friday and make it two losses in a row.

How important will the marking game be?

Essendon lead the competition in average marks with a whopping 116.5 a game this season, the next best Hawthorn are back at 96.5 marks a game.

However, the Bombers rank just seventh in marks inside 50 at 11.7 marks a game despite the massive gap in total marks.

Their opponent this week, Geelong averaging a plausible 91.2 marks a game, ranking a close second in the competition in marks inside 50 with 14.1.

If Essendon can take more marks in the forward half against the Cats on Friday night, it could prove vital in getting over the line.

Who is in for the Bombers?

There will be changes to Essendon’s side after Jason Winderlich accepting a one-week suspension, as well as Michael Hibberd being in doubt to play after injuring his leg.

Paul Chapman will return and cover Winderlich’s spot forward. However the uncertainty surrounds whether Jake Carlisle will get up after a week off due to an injured knee. Or will Mark Thompson give Carlisle another week off and bring a player like Hibberd into the side.

All will be revealed later in the week after the players have the chance to prove their fitness on the training track.