Essendon face a telling game on Friday night as they continue their fight for finals when they tackle ladder leaders Sydney at the SCG.

After a 50-point loss to the Swans back in round nine, the Bombers will try to even the ledger this time around.

Ahead of the sides going head-to-head again this season, we divulge a number of key match ups that loom as having a major influence on the outcome.

Michael Hurley vs. Lance Franklin

Lance Franklin continued his dominant run against the Bombers back in round nine, booting five goals to take his tally to 55 goals in his last 11 matches against the Dons. ‘Buddy’ threatens to again tear the game apart Friday night and will need a lot of work put into him by the Bomber defence to negate his influence.

Michael Hurley had the big task on the match-winning forward last time around and looks best suited to have the job again on Friday night. Hurley has been in great recent form down back for the Bombers, and will look to relish the massive challenge of Franklin in what shapes as a game-defining match up.

Jake Carlisle vs. Ted Richards

‘Buckets’ looks primed to tear a third opposition defence to shreds in as many matches when he lines up against the Swans on Friday night. The in-form forward of the competition has kicked 12 goals, taken 31 marks and racked up 45 disposals in the last two weeks.

Richards, a former Bomber, is the Swans’ most consistent defender and is most likely to tackle the task of Carlisle. At 31 years old, he is almost 10 years the elder of Carlisle. Carlisle has shown he is a confidence player and if he is to clunk a grab or two early, the signs will begin to look ominous for Richards and Sydney.

Heath Hocking vs. Josh Kennedy

The hard-nosed Swans midfielder has flown under the radar in the Harbour city this season as he enjoys his best season in his career to date. Kennedy averages just shy of 30 disposals per match this season, as he leads the competition in total possessions, total contested possessions and total handballs. He also averages a monster 6.5 tackles a match, the sixth best in the AFL in 2014.

Hocking is perfectly suited to limit the Swans’ number one midfielder as he continues his relentless pressure and loves the inside ball. Kennedy enjoyed a night out when these two teams last met, racking up 39 disposals and kicked a goal. Hocking will be following his every move on Friday night to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Cale Hooker vs. Kurt Tippett

Hooker looks set to tackle the second of Sydney’s key-forward duo in another huge match up. The 202cm, 104kg-man-mountain is one of the biggest key forwards in the competition. Tippett continues relish in the role of the stay-at-home forward, enjoying the addition of Franklin this season. Despite struggling through much of the year with injury, Tippett still averages just short of three goals a game.

Hooker looks set to lock-up the All-Australian full back position after a dominant season for the Dons. It has been his marking attributes that have seen him become one of the most well-rounded defenders in the competition. It is set to be a compelling match up between these two, with several absorbing marking-duals to play out Friday night.