MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Sam Walsh of the Blues celebrates after a goal with his teammates during the Hawthorn v Carlton practice match at Ikon Park on February 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

In the build up to the 2019 AFL season, Essendon great Tim Watson has made a number of daring predictions in regards to who he expects to succeed and those that are going to miss out come September.

"If you analyse it closely, there's going to be some very good teams that miss out on finals this year," Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

"Adelaide aren't going to stay down where they were last year. There's too much talent there for them not to be a top eight side.

"I'll throw this one up. I've got Sydney missing the top eight this year."

Adelaide fell one game short of playing finals last year, but had the worst percentage out of the four teams who finished on 48 points.

It would be the Crows' first finals appearance since their grand final loss to Richmond, while Sydney haven't missed out on September action since 2009.

The JLT series kicks off tonight at Ikon Park, with Carlton and Essendon naming close to full strength squads for the hit out.

Watson has predicted the Bombers to finish between seventh and ninth, he believes the Blues will end up between 16th and 18th.