Raiders vs Eels NRL Rd 12 tips, odds & value bets – May 29, 2022

Round 12 of the 2022 NRL season will conclude with a Sunday afternoon treat when the Canberra Raiders host the Parramatta Eels.

Canberra all-of-a-sudden are running hot with three wins on-the-trot, while the Eels have followed wins with losses for the last six weeks.

It feels like only moments ago there was a genuine conversation about the Raiders being a contender for the wooden spoon. Three straight wins later and their season has roared back to life, and a win over a top eight side at home this week would set up their back half of the season nicely.

While they have a tricky period after their bye, they still have eight games remaining on their schedule against bottom eight sides. With five wins to their name already, all they need to do is win the games their expected to and they should return to finals football.

The other huge boost is they will finally have first-choice halfback Jamal Fogarty available after being named to return from a knee injury.

If they’re able to cause an upset as the $2.55 outsider for the second week in a row, it will do more than just boost the mathematical chances.

In recent weeks the Raiders have focused on better contact in the middle of the field in defence and as a result they’ve made much smarter reads on the edges in defence.

They’ve averaged less than 10 points conceded in the three wins, whereas in the preceding five-game losing streak they were giving up 26 per game.

The Raiders historically have a good record over Parramatta, but in recent times they’ve managed to lose three of the last four between them.

Xavier Savage starting at fullback is going to be the absolute favourite among the punters in this game to score a try, with online bookmakers offering $2.90. The $12 for him to score first will also be another popular betting option.

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While they may have won convincingly against South Sydney, the 1-12 point margin at $3.45 is where the money will go for those who believe in the ‘Green Machine’.

Before last season the Eels had to wait 15 years between wins in Canberra.

Despite indifferent form over the last six weeks, they still come in as the $1.52 favourites.

A big reason bookies still have them as the clear favourite is the credit in the bank they have from defeating Penrith and Melbourne, but if they continue the current trend and lose this week, how quickly will that credit disappear?

They are as close to full-strength as they’re going to be for the 2022 season, so if they can’t get the two points in the Nation’s capital, the questions about their top-four credentials will only grow louder.

One significant development is seeing Maika Sivo named in jersey 24, which indicates he is close to a return and would round out their backline nicely. Keep an eye on final team lists, it would not shock if he is rushed in and he would be decent value as a try scoring option in his first start back after a long injury lay-off.

This game should definitely see the overs taken in the 40.5 points line as the Eels have only played in two games this year that have gone under that mark.

Key matchup: Papalii & Tapine vs Campbell-Gillard & Paulo

Does the front row battle get any better than this. Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine up against Reagan Campbell-Gillard and the former Raider Junior Paulo. The Raiders’ duo have been outstanding in recent weeks while the Eels tandem could both be selected to play for New South Wales after this game. It will be torrid on the frozen tundra of GIO Stadium.

Raiders vs Eels betting predictions

The Raiders extend their good run while the Eels’ indifferent form continues. Canberra win at the 1-12 point margin, Xavier Savage has another moment of brilliance which will lead to a try, and Isaiah Papali’i will sneak across in game 100.

Raiders vs Eels same-game multi tips

Raiders 1-12 with Xavier Savage, Jack Wighton and Clint Gutherson all scoring a try pays an absurd $64.22 with Ladbrokes.

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