Carlton will strive to square the ledger with a third consecutive win when it lines up against an in-form St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides will enter the Round 8 clash following 23-point wins, in what shapes as one of the weekend’s most highly anticipated matches.

It will be just the Blues’ second hit-out at Etihad Stadium this season, following gallant wins over Sydney and Collingwood at the MCG. 

Meanwhile the Saints will take to their home ground for the sixth time, full of confidence after an emphatic performance against Greater Western Sydney at the venue last week. 

Against the Giants, silky midfielder Seb Ross continued his impressive form with 17 contested possessions to feature among the team’s best for the sixth consecutive time.

Since he began the season ranked No.167 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, Ross has climbed to No.76, and will look to impose himself in the midfield battle on Saturday. 

The Blues will look to tame the Saints’ talent-laden midfield with the likes of Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Samo Petrevski-Seton, Nick Graham, Zac Fisher and Patrick Cripps, who takes top spot as the highest-ranked player in the past three Carlton-St Kilda clashes.

On the eve of the clash, Carlton coach Brendon Bolton anticipated a “great challenge” for his side with St Kilda proving to be a strong all-rounded unit in 2017.

"They've built their list really well and they've got a good balance between offence and defence," Bolton told the media on Friday.

"That balance says they're going to be a contender.

"They have many and varied strengths. They intercept the ball well in defence and rebound well.

"They've got really good midfield depth, which is using the ball really well forward of centre. As a result they're scoring well.

"They'll give us a real challenge this week which we're looking forward to. I've got a lot of respect for them."
 

In 2016, St Kilda proved too strong for Carlton in both Rounds 8 and 20, booting a total of 37 goals.

Forward Tim Membrey did the most damage with 10 goals, with midfielders Jack Steven (three) and Jack Newnes (two) drifting forward to devastating effect.

The Saints added to their midfield depth in the off-season with the signings of Jack Steele (GWS) and Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs), but the latter will miss on Saturday because of suspension.

Mav Weller will return to face the Blues after missing one week with an injured ankle, while fellow hard-nosed midfielder Luke Dunstan has also been recalled after playing the last fortnight in the VFL. 

Carlton has also made two changes to its line-up with teenagers Jack Silvagni and Fisher returning from injury to replace Sam Kerridge and Billie Smedts.

The Blues, who currently rank second in the league for tackles, will have to maintain their four-quarter pressure against a physical St Kilda.

They can also gain confidence from conceding the least points of any side in the past fortnight, with St Kilda just behind them.

The stage is set for the Blues and Saints to go head-to-head for the 218th time. Click here to buy tickets.