Kevin Bartlett reckons Collingwood may go unbeaten this year. History suggests, of course, it won't be the case, but it is worth a glance at the fixture to try and predict when the Pies might drop one.

It didn't happen against Carlton on Friday night. The first and third quarters were even, but the second and the first part of the last quarter did the bulk of the damage.

So back to the issue at hand. When will the Pies drop a game.

Round 4: Richmond (MCG): Tigers are improving, but aren't at the level.

Round 5: Essendon (MCG): Form gets thrown out the window on ANZAC Day, but the gulf between these two clubs was enormous last season. Some chance.

Round 6: Western Bulldogs (MCG): The Bulldogs have the pace when they're up and about, and perhaps there will be a let-down factor after the Essendon clash. Some chance.

Round 7: Bye

Round 8: Geelong (MCG): Collingwood had Geelong's measure in last years finals. Small chance.

Round 9: Adelaide (Etihad Stadium): Danger game if played in Adelaide. Not here.

Round 10: West Coast (MCG): No.

Round 11: St Kilda (MCG): Grand Final replay, but the early signs this year aren't good. Let's hope the Saints can lift.

Round 12: Melbourne (MCG): The hype will be enormous. So will the winning margin.

Round 13: Bye

Round 14: Sydney (ANZ Stadium): One of these years the Swans will breakthrough here. Unless the plane food goes off, the Pies will again be the warm favourites.

Round 15: Hawthorn (MCG): This could be the one. The Pies have only beaten Hawthorn once since 2006 and have never had the answer for Buddy Franklin. Still, on form to date, the Pies would start favourite.

Round 16: North Melbourne (MCG): Not this time.

Round 17: Carlton (MCG): Much would have to change between now and then.

Round 18: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium): Err, no.

Round 19: Essendon (MCG): Form tends to come into play the second time around. The Dons will load up with their pacy times and three big forwards. Good luck.

Round 20: Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium): Pies in a canter.

Round 21: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium): This could also be the one. St Kilda plays its best footy here and may have a bit more to play for at this stage of the year.

Round 22: Brisbane Lions (MCG): No.

Round 23: Fremantle v Collingwood: It was the corresponding week in 2000 that Essendon finally succumbed in 2000. The Pies enjoy travelling - not that they do it much - but this will be a tough outing if the Dockers have much to play for.

Round 24: Geelong (MCG): Cracking game on the eve of the finals. Much will depend on whether the Pies have a top two berth wrapped up and decide to rest some players.

Our verdict: 20-2, with a loss to one of Hawthorn, Geelong or the Western Bulldogs in the middle of the season, and one of St Kilda, Fremantle or Geelong in the last three rounds.