Tigers vs Bulldogs NRL betting preview, tips & top odds | 20/5/22

Friday Night NRL kicks off from the spiritual home of the Wests Tigers when the Canterbury Bulldogs travel to Leichardt Oval to take on the Tigers. Much will be said in this lead up about Canterbury, as they hit the headlines for multiple reasons. Meanwhile, the Tigers are facing battles of their own off the field. While this may be a bottom of the table clash, the on top selection is incredibly clear.

In a total of 40 contests, the Bulldogs have won on 24 occasions, including their most recent clash when they played in the final round of the 2021 regular season, winning 38-nil. However, as the Bulldogs struggle to score points, as well as prevent them being scored, and the Dogs have been largely below NRL standard this season, they’re impossible to back in this match. It’s also been reported by GM of Football Gus Gould that illness has ravaged the Bulldogs camp. This all points towards the Wests Tigers winning by a margin of 13+ points.

With Canterbury losing a head coach, as well as players through injury, illness and early exit to other clubs, the Bulldogs have many factors against them in Friday’s clash. On the other side of the park, the Tigers welcome back Jacob Liddle from injury, despite losing Luke Brooks who will be replaced by Jock Madden. Not only will the total match points for this clash exceed 36.5 as the Tigers will look to rack up the tries at Leichardt, but they’ll also be keeping the Dogs Exact Total Points to 10 or less at $2.85 with the top betting sites.

Try scoring should come relatively easy to the Tigers as they face this struggling Bulldogs side, especially under the leadership of Jackson Hastings at halfback. The Tigers may have lost Luke Brooks through injury, but the attacking upside of Jock Madden looks impressive. Junior Tupou scored on debut last week and is likely to do so at any time again this week at a price of $2.45.

One player for the Tigers has been quiet in recent weeks as he recovers from an injury and should be looking to bounce back Friday. That man is Luciano Leilua. His attacking threat should come to the fore as he continues to come back from his hamstring injury and is great value to score a try at any time paying $4.60 with Betfair.

KEY MATCH UP: JOCK MADDEN v MATT BURTON

Both these young five-eighths have incredible potential in the position, but in vastly different ways. Madden is a smaller player rely on his footwork and ball skills to outplay those around him, while Burton’s skill is in his strong running game as a much bigger frame than Madden. Burton will have to play out of his skin if he is to lead the Bulldogs to a win. For Madden, the better he plays, it seems as though the more the Tigers will win by.

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