Dragons vs Roosters footy betting tips for ANZAC Day, April 25

4.10pm Wednesday April 25, 2018, at Allianz Stadium

IT is an ANZAC Day battle between two of the NRL premiership favourites looking to assert their dominance after an extremely even start to 2018.

The St George Illawarra Dragons sit at the top of the NRL ladder despite a disappointing loss to the New Zealand Warriors last Friday night.

It was the first loss of the season for the big red V, who were left chasing their trans-Tasman rivals after conceding two tries to nil in the opening half.

The inconsistent start to the season for the Sydney Roosters continued on Thursday night after they accounted for the Bulldogs in a low scoring affair.

The turnaround was brilliant by the Tricolours, who allowed 26 points in against the Rabbitohs the week before. The star-studded Chooks kept the Dogs scoreless in their best defensive display of the year.

Both teams are locked alongside each other on the second line of betting of premiership betting ($6) at Sportsbet, but who’s going to take the points on ANZAC Day?

Players to watch – Dragons v Roosters

Dragons – Gareth Widdop: The $8 Dally M favourite at Sportsbet Gareth Widdop has been brilliant for the big red V so far this season, leading his team from the front. The UK-product has been the playmaker for the Dragons this season and will be the linchpin for his team on Friday.

Roosters – Latrell Mitchell: Mitchell was the sole try scorer for the Tricolours last week and has been one of the best offensive forces in his team so far. The 20-year-old’s play has been so dynamic that he’s been mooted as a potential inclusion in the NSW state team. Another a strong performance over the league leaders would all but assure him of a blue jersey.

Predicted Dragons team

1 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele

Predited Roosters team

1 James Tedesco, 2 Joseph Manu, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Mitchell Aubusson, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Zane Tetevano, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Dylan Napa, 11 Boyd Cordner (c), 12 Ryan Matterson, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 15 Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 16 Nat Butcher, 17 Victor Radley

Dragons v Roosters – who wins?

In a match that could dictate who ends the round as the premiership favourite with the online bookmakers, we’re favouring the Dragons to get back on the winner’s list.

The Tricolours have been inconsistent this season and against a polished and disciplined team like the Dragons they will struggle to mount an offensive challenge. Last week’s win against the Dogs wouldn’t have cut it against any of the top eight sides given they scored a single try.

We’re backing the Dragons to win this one and retain top spot on the NRL ladder.

Tip: St George Dragons to win ($1.81 at Sportsbet)