OPPONENT: Western Bulldogs
VENUE: Simonds Stadium
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, July 18, 1.45pm AEST
WEATHER FORECAST: partly cloudy, 12 degrees
 
Check out the Cats’ selected side
 
FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

1. A GEELONG WIN
Despite Geelong's ragged form of late, the bookies have installed the Cats as a short-priced favourite to win the match. Perhaps the bookies are relying on the results in recent matches between the two clubs to set their odds. The Cats have won their past seven matches against the Bulldogs, although the margins have been narrowing in recent times.

Watch Chris Scott talk about the Cats' issues in Tweet The Coach

2. DARCY LANG
The rapidly improving midfielder from Colac has enjoyed a big week, having signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the Cattery until at least the end of the 2017 season. Lang has been one of Geelong's most consistent players this year, and he is quickly demonstrating to the football world why the Cats spent their first selection in the 2013 national draft on him.
 
Read our Cat Stats column about Darcy Lang's impressive 2015 campaign

Watch Darcy Lang speak to CatsTV about his new contract
 
3. MITCH DUNCAN
The gun midfielder, who turned 24 last month, was in blistering form before he broke his foot during the Cats' loss to the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium in round seven. The previous week he had ran Collingwood ragged at the MCG, tallying a career-high 38 disposals. Here's hoping he can get straight back into top form.

4. STEVEN MOTLOP
The man known as 'Mots' was a star performer in the Cats' win over the Western Bulldogs on a wet and windy Sunday night at Simonds Stadium in round 16 last year. Motlop gathered 30 disposals as the home side won 10.9 (69) to 7.14 (56). Steve Johnson (25 disposals and a goal) and the afore mentioned Mitch Duncan (20 disposals and two goals) were other players to finish among Geelong's best that night, while Jimmy Bartel laid a game-high 15 tackles. Gun youngster Marcus Bontempelli produced an eye-catching performance for the Bulldogs. 'The Bont' finished with 21 disposals, 10 tackles and two brilliant goals. It will be very interesting to see which Cats player picks him up.

Watch Steven Motlop on 'Down at KP'
  
5. THE DOGS TO WIN A COUPLE OF QUARTERS AT MOST
Footscray/Western Bulldogs have won all four quarters against Geelong only twice. That happened in round 13, 1968, and round 17, 1973. On the other hand, the Cats have won all four quarters in 11 matches against the Bulldogs. The most recent time that happened was in round 20, 2010.

The random stat was courtesy of Rogers Results

Gary Ablett Jnr tries to break away from Shaun Higgins during the Cats' win over the Dogs in 2010 (AFL Photos)

Get behind the Mighty Cats when we take on the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Buy your tickets here.