Roosters vs Sea Eagles NRL Round 1 betting tips – 13/3/2021

Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles betting preview

There hasn’t been the same level of hype around the Sydney Roosters for the 2021 NRL Premiership as there has been in previous seasons, but they should dust up the Manly Sea Eagles at the SCG this Saturday to kickstart their campaign. Manly without Tom Trbojevic are a shell of themselves, and their lack of a natural dummy half makes it extremely difficult to knock off the all-conquering Roosters. The premiership-winning halves combo of 2011 in Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran will play together for the first time in six years, which will be a nice throwback for those on the Northern Beaches, but it might be the only good thing to come out of their first game in 2021.

Key matchup: Luke Keary vs Daly Cherry-Evans

The Roosters have historically struggled to have Manly’s number, losing 90 games against the Sea Eagles since 1947, and there has been plenty of star halves battles over the journey. Saturday evening looks to be no different with Luke Keary moving to the halfback role for the first time as a Rooster. His opposite in Cherry-Evans is rated as one of the most complete halfbacks in the game, but can he carry a Manly side who are outmatched across the park without the aforementioned Trbojevic? The evidence from the last two years suggests it is too big of a mountain, but round one always throws up some shockers.

Sydney Roosters betting info

The only change in the backline from 2020 is Lachlan Lam will start at five-eighth. He has been in their squad for the last few seasons, meaning the Chooks should be extremely settled. There is every chance all of their back five in James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Joey Manu, Josh Morris and Daniel Tupou could cross the line this Saturday. Is anyone brave enough to roll them all together for a $42, five-leg multi? The value pick to score first is Angus Crichton at $20, as he looked sensational in the trial game against Canberra.

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Josh Morris
4. Joseph Manu
5. Brett Morris
6. Lachlan Lam
7. Luke Keary
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Jake Friend
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Angus Crichton
12. Sitili Tupouniua
13. Isaac Liu
14. Adam Keighran
15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
16. Nat Butcher
17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Manly Sea Eagles betting info

It’s hard to find some silver linings for the Manly Sea Eagles heading into this contest. They were absolutely dire without their star fullback in 2020, and they’ve also lost Addin Fonua-Blake and Joel Thompson, who were two of their key forwards. Just to add insult to injury, Manly have lost seven straight round-one games. They look absolutely unbackable for this.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Dylan Walker
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Moses Suli
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Kieran Foran
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Aloiai
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Martin Taupau
11. Jack Gosiewski
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Tevita Funa
15. Andrew Davey
16. Morgan Boyle
17. Taniela Paseka

Roosters vs Eagles betting predictions

Des Hasler teams are normally well coached on the defensive side of the ball, but the Roosters seem settled and will be looking to make a statement after flaming out in 2020. The -17.5 line at $2.75 is well and truly in play, as the strike throughout the Roosters backline will prove to be too much. Tedesco and Keary will both score tries backing up through the middle.

Roosters vs Eagles same game multi

Roosters -17.5 with Tedesco, Keary and Tupou to all score a try at anytime will make this game fun at $18.75 with Sportsbet.com.au.