Essendon will return to the Friday night stage when it faces the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium next week.

The AFL tonight confirmed the round 21 fixture, which will see the Bombers open the round in their Friday game of the season.

The match will mark Essendon's first in Melbourne since round 17 after three successive games in Queensland.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON
7:50pm AEST, Friday, August 6
Marvel Stadium
Live on Seven