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Collingwood interim coach Robert Harvey says the Magpies are preparing for Richmond to find their best form when the traditional AFL rivals clash at the MCG.
Collingwood will expect Richmond to come out breathing fire in their must-win clash at the MCG with the reigning premiers desperate to kickstart their flagging form.
The Tigers have lost three games on the bounce and are dealing with a hefty injury list - but interim Magpies coach Robert Harvey said that made them a dangerous prospect on Sunday.
"Coming off some performances that haven't been as strong for them, we're expecting their best efforts" Harvey said.
"The way they play is really distinctive so we know what we're up against, particularly around the contest and the surge and the pressure.
"So we need to match that for a start, which we weren't happy with ourselves last week.
"There's already a battle there to be won and we know how good they are at that.
"We're expecting their best Sunday, and we'd like to think we're gonna come to the party with that as well."
The Magpies are coming off a nine-point loss to St Kilda - but the scoreline and Collingwood's late fightback masked a dismal first three quarters, including kicking just one goal in the first half.
Harvey said Collingwood had addressed "fluctuating" efforts around stoppages and contested ball in the wake of the loss.
Mason Cox and Caleb Poulter were dropped while Josh Daicos suffered a fractured finger against the Saints, with Will Kelly, Callum Brown and Ollie Henry all recalled.
The Tigers have called upon Sydney Stack for his first game of the season and recalled Daniel Rioli, who has impressed off half-back at VFL level, along with Rhyan Mansell and Ryan Garthwaite.
Nick Vlastuin was scratched on Friday, along with Toby Nankervis (knee) who was originally named to return.
Shane Edwards, Bachar Houli and Callum Coleman-Jones were injured against Gold Coast, joining the likes of Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert, Noah Balta and Nathan Broad on the sidelines.
"They're all big games, there's no doubt about it," coach Damien Hardwick said.
"Collingwood under (Harvey) are a little bit of a different proposition, they're probably doing most things the same.
"But look, we've just got to look after ourselves at this rate - we're not playing anywhere near the level of expectations we'd like.
"So we've got to play a hell of a lot better and we look forward to putting our best foot forward this week against Collingwood."