ESSENDON played three good quarters against the Saints in round eight but this weekend they'll have to play four great terms to have any chance.

That's the view of Bombers coach Matthew Knights who says St Kilda knows how to grab a lead and hold on to it.

They did it to Essendon in that round eight clash back in May at Docklands, dominating the opening term booting six goals to two, then keeping them at arm's length for the rest of the match.

The Bombers hit back to win the last three quarters, but still fell 19 points short at the final siren.

"Their steadiness and professionalism kept them [in front by] that three or four-goal margin, but we certainly had periods of the game where we had our time," Knights said on Tuesday.

"For us to win on the weekend, we're going to have to have our time and use the ball really well.

"They're so good at counter-attacking from the back, we have to make sure when we do get it in there, we actually score and put some pressure on them.

"They're a wonderful side, very well-rounded, and they have all bases covered at the moment."

Knights said he expected the Saints to present a full strength line-up after leaving out  seven gun players in round 19.

He also said he wasn't considering this week's assignment as unachievable in any way, despite the commanding way the Saints have tackled the season so far.

"This week is a new week, and it doesn't really phase me who you're playing against – you've got to respect them," he said.

"That's part of our issue this year is we've really respected the good sides and the sides that have been in the top echelon of the ladder, but actually part of our development is presenting every week when you're playing sides below you on the ladder.

"We believe that every game we compete in, we're a chance to win, there's no question about that, otherwise we may as well not turn up Sunday.

"That mentality as a footballer is a vital ingredient, and this group has a belief that they can match it, and our challenge is doing it over four quarters."

Knights said the Bombers were expecting another physical encounter after the Saints recorded 115 tackles against Hawthorn on the weekend.

"Our players have had a pretty good understanding having watched St Kilda all year that their pressure skills are outstanding," he said.

"We'd expect nothing less on Sunday than for them to come with that attitude.

"What we've got to try and do is match that attitude ourselves defensively; whether we can do it over the four quarters is a big test for our young group.

"We'll certainly be doing everything in our powers to achieve that."

He said he was also buoyed by the turnaround in form his players showed on the weekend against the Brisbane Lions, after a disappointing three-week period.