Raiders vs Sea Eagles NRL Rd 24 betting tips – August 27, 2022

The Manly Sea Eagles will attempt to spoil the party when they travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders this Saturday in the penultimate round of the NRL season.

Manly thoroughly outplayed them back in Round 6 in Mudgee, but so much has changed since April.

Canberra at that time looked like wooden-spoon contenders and many thought Manly were a top-four chance. As the Raiders have gone 11-4 in their last 15 games to get in touching distance of the finals, Manly have lost five in a row to fall out of contention in spectacularly bad fashion.

When Canberra fell behind 22-8 in Newcastle last Sunday afternoon, there was a feeling amongst their supporters that they knew this team would squander a golden chance to sneak into the finals with a cupcake schedule. Luckily, they managed to get out of jail and they remain a big hope of ousting the Brisbane Broncos for the final spot in the eight.

Having started 2-6 in the first third of their season, they quickly peeled off three in a row and we wrote that, with the remainder of their schedule as it was, they were a great chance to win 14 games if they played to their ability. As it stands today, they are on track for that but it might not be enough for those who backed them to make the top eight.

The $3.35 for a 1-12 Canberra win looks to be sensational value from the outset. Manly have had a good record in recent seasons at GIO Stadium and they’ve historically been a bogey team for the Green Machine.

Sebastian Kris secured a double in Newcastle last week, and this time it could be worth a look at Xavier Savage to do the same. If Canberra play well, they’ll create plenty of linebreaks against a team that has defended dreadfully in recent weeks, which will give Savage the chance to trail through the middle and finish off the chances. The $5 at BetOnline for a Savage double is worth a play.

Manly’s five-game losing streak has surprised almost everyone. They looked poised to push for a finals berth coming out of State of Origin, but the final third of the season has been unkind to them.

The pride jersey fiasco completely changed Manly’s season and they have played like a team divided ever since. They’ve conceded 36, 44 and 40 in their last three losses, indicating they’ve switched off and aren’t putting their body on the line in defence.

The Sea Eagles are being given a +14.5 head start by the online bookies and because the Raiders have a habit of playing close games when they shouldn’t be, that feels like money for jam. Canberra’s attack isn’t the juggernaut it was six years ago under Ricky Stuart, and playing with the weight of expectation could mean they are a bit tight.

Ray Vaega was impressive earlier this year in the trials for the Sea Eagles and he will get a golden chance in this game on the wing, so be sure to get on the youngster to score a try at $2.70.

Key matchup: Joseph Tapine vs Josh Aloiai

Joe Tapine has been the best prop in the competition in 2022, but he is carrying a rib injury as his club faces a sudden-death end to the season. He has commanded the middle of the field whenever he has crossed the white line, so how will someone like Josh Aloiai rise to the challenge? Aloiai has been a big contributor when fit for Manly this year, and his hard running has sparked Manly on several occasions this season.

Raiders vs Sea Eagles betting predictions

Canberra will secure the win and remain alive in the finals race for another week. They secure the win at the 1-12 margin and Hudson Young will score another try at a key stage for the home team.

Raiders vs Sea Eagles Rd 24 same game multi tips

Raiders 1-12 with Ray Vaega, Hudson Young, Nick Cotric and Xavier Savage to all score tries pays a whopping $93.26 at Ladbrokes.

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