Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has called the Friday match at Marvel Stadium cut-throat, given the two teams are a game outside the top eight with 5-6 records.

As Clarkson noted, the loser will fall off the pace as the run to the finals gathers momentum.

How McDonald-Tipungwuti and Gunston perform will be a good indication of who wins.

In Essendon's five wins, McDonald-Tipungwuti has kicked 19 goals.

In their six losses, the livewire Bombers small forward is goal-less.

The difference is not quite so stark this season for Gunston, who kicked six goals in Hawthorn's round-10 win over Port Adelaide.

But in their pre-bye loss to Brisbane, Darcy Gardiner kept him scoreless.

The Hawks are yet to win two in a row this season and they have lost star recruit Chad Wingard to injury again, but ruckman Ben McEvoy is a big inclusion.

Essendon also look stronger as forwards Jake Stringer and Orazio Fantasia and midfielder Dylan Shiel return from injury.

Midfielder Dylan Clarke retained his spot after an outstanding job on Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps and the third-gamer could have a similar tagging role on Hawks midfield ace Jaeger O'Meara.

Essendon will start marginal favourites, but the Hawks boast a strong record against them.

Hawthorn have won nine of their last 11 matches against the Bombers, going back to 2010.

Friday night's clash starts a pivotal block of games for Essendon, coming out of their mid-season bye.

They next face West Coast away and then host GWS, who mauled them in round one.

Australian Associated Press