Roosters v Raiders betting tips and prediction | NRL Rd 26

Roosters vs Raiders R26 best bet tips

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders match preview

Sydney Roosters are looking to continue their charge to the NRL finals when they host the Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The Roosters are heavily favoured by bookmakers, priced at -625 to win, with the Raiders outsiders at +440 but are fresh off a win over Penrith and can keep their slim finals hopes alive.

The Roosters have won their last four matches, including victories over the Titans, Eels and Dolphins, who are all outside the to eight on the NRL ladder. With a top four spot all-but certainly secured, this will be a great match for Easts to solidify their combinations and playing styles before the finals.

Meanwhile, the Raiders victory over the three-time premiership winning Penrith Panthers kept their finals hopes alive. The 22-18 win was highlighted by Matthew Timoko and Xavier Savage sprinting the length of the field to score and secure the four-point win. On equal points with the Knights, Dolphins and Broncos, the Raiders will need to win by plenty in the last two rounds of the season to make the final eight.

Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged line-up after securing a win for outgoing captain Elliott Whitehead in his final game in Canberra last weekend.

Meanwhile, Trent Robinson has been forced to make two changes to his side with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspended) ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’I (neck) out injured. Michael Jennings has been called into the centres as replacement with Spencer Leniu named to start in the front row.

Brandon Smith (back) has overcome injury to start at hooker, Nat Butcher has been named to start at lock and Sitili Tupouniua will come off the interchange bench alongside Connor Watson, who will return from concussion. Sandon Smith and Zach Dockar-Clay has been forced out of the side. Robinson could also make one more late change and promote former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase after naming him in the reserves.

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders Rd 26 teams list

Canberra Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Albert Hopoate
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Kaeo Weekes
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Danny Levi
15. Corey Horsburgh
16. Ata Mariota
17. Simi Sasagi

Roosters v Raiders tips and betting strategy

The Roosters have won three of their last five matches against the Raiders, including their clash earlier this season in Canberra when Sydney won by 28 points. Easts have won each of their last eight matches against opponents ranked lower than them on the NRL ladder, and this weekend should be no different. Look for a strong performance from the home side to win and cover the line by 16 points or more at -111.11 with NRL bookmakers.

Seven of the Raiders’ last eight matches have finished below the total points line, however; this is a trend that’s expected to change. In their last three matches, the Roosters have scored 38 points or more, while also having defensive issues of their own. The Raiders are more than capable of scoring points, but the Roosters offensive juggernaut should be too big to stop. In dry weather in Sydney, expect a high-scoring affair with 51.5 points or more scored in this match (-111.11 with Neds Australia).

Rooster Angus Crichton has been in career-best form this season, scoring 11 tries in 18 matches, earning him a return to the State of Origin arena earlier this year. Last weekend was his best performance of the season, scoring a hattrick against the Titans. This weekend, against the older and slower Whitehead, expect Crichton to score again in front of his home crowd (+140).

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