ESSENDON will be hoping to re-establish its recent ascendancy over Melbourne when the two sides meet at the MCG this Saturday afternoon.

The Demons broke a five-match losing streak against the Bombers when they scored a 21-point win in round seven this year.

The two sides have met a total of 190 times with Essendon holding significant advantage in games won. The Bombers have won 115 matches, Melbourne has won 73 and two have been drawn.

Essendon's biggest win over Melbourne came in the 1986 season when it kicked a massive 27.20 (182) to defeat Melbourne by 122 points. That score remains Essendon's biggest against Melbourne.

The Bombers worst loss to Melbourne came in the 1927 season when the Demons thumped Essendon by 90 points in round 15 at the MCG. Melbourne's highest score against Essendon came in round two of the 1937 season when they piled on 25.20 (170) at Windy Hill.

On the other side of the ledger, Melbourne's lowest score against Essendon came in the 1926 season and it couldn't have come at a worse time. Playing in the preliminary final, Melbourne managed just 6.6 (42) and missed out on a grand final berth.

Essendon's lowest score against Melbourne came a year earlier when it managed just 5.8 (38) in round 10 at the MCG.

On the goal kicking front, stars of the 1930s hold the club records. For Essendon it was Ted Freyer who kicked 12 goals in the opening round of the 1935 season at the MCG. Freyer was the Bombers leading goalkicker from 1931-34 and again in 1936.

For Melbourne, George Margitich booted 11 in round nine of the 1930 season. Margitich was the Demons leading goalkicker from 1930-1932.