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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters Tips - Low scoring contest predicted in NRL Round 5

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 03 Apr 2024

Ryan Tucker 03 Apr 2024

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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters expert predictions for Friday’s Round 5 NRL game
Past matches between the two sides indicate another close encounter
James Tedesco could significantly influence the game's outcome

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James Tedesco of the Roosters (Getty Images)

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters Preview

Sydney Roosters are deserved favourites and should be too good for the Canterbury Bulldogs, but I like the hosts with the start.

The last three games between these two teams have been relatively close and I'm backing the game to go under the total and take the Bulldogs to cover and keep within nine points.

The margin of victory in the past 3 games between these teams has not been more than 6 points
All 4 Bulldogs games and 3 of 4 Roosters games this year have gone Under the Total
9 of the 11 tries the Bulldogs have conceded have been down their right side
James Tedesco has scored 3 tries in his last two games against the Bulldogs

Head to Head

Despite being at two different ends of the Premiership ladder over the past few seasons the Bulldogs have been able to keep games within their grasp, even winning the sole match-up in 2022. Whether it is the Roosters coming into the game with complacency or the Bulldogs getting up for the top tier opponent we need to give adequate weight to the recent trends of close games between these two teams.

The Roosters have been double digit favourites in the last 6 games straight against Canterbury, covering on only 2 occasions, once in 2019 and again in 2020. 2 of the last 3 games have gone Under the total whilst the number sits at 3-3 since 2019.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form

The Bulldogs are just not clicking in attack. Following the try-scoring bonanza they had against the Titans in week three it would have been easy to think that they had finally found some connections.

But reality reared it’s ugly head over the weekend with 57 tackles in the Rabbitohs 20m zone resulting in only 3 tries. Two of which were initiated outside of the Red Zone.

With as much attacking prowess as they have on their roster (and the money) things will need to and should happen soon, but whether or not it happens against a stingy Roosters defence is a tough question.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Josh Addo-Carr is again sidelined, this time with a head knock. Blake Wilson comes in as cover.

Jacob Preston has a fractured jaw with Josh Curran set to take his place in the starting team for the foreseeable future.

Liam Knight moves back to the bench with Harrison Edwards and Kitione Kautoga. Bronson Xerri is still in the reserves.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Blake Taaffe

2. Blake Wilson

3. Jacob Kiraz

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Connor Tracey

6. Matt Burton

7. Drew Hutchison

8. Max King

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Sam Hughes

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Josh Curran

13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harrison Edwards

16. Liam Knight

17. Kitione Kautoga

Reserves

19. Bronson Xerri

20. Toby Sexton

21. Bailey Hayward

22. Chris Patolo

23. Poasa Faamausili

Sydney Roosters Form

The Roosters got caught out against the Panthers last weekend. The media and betting public gave Penrith no chance in the game without Cleary and Fisher-Harris among others but they came out swinging surprising the favourites with two tries within the first 20 minutes.

The Sydney defence regrouped but the damage was already done and a 79th minute try to to Daniel Tupou made this score seem closer than it actually was.

Sydney’s defence was again quite good, with their Opponents having 66% of territory and 46 tackles inside the 20m Zone they only gave up 4 tries in the game which goes a long way in showing how resilient they are on the defensive end this season. Something that was lacking at times in 2023.

Sydney Roosters Team News

Origin forward Lindsay Collins returns following the week off with a hamstring injury. Terrell May goes back to the bench with Egan Butcher dropping to the reserves. Sitili Tupouniua is also on the bench with Angus Crichton starting in the backrow.

Sydney Roosters Team List

1. James Tedesco

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Joseph Suaalii

4. Joey Manu

5. Dom Young

6. Luke Keary

7. Sam Walker

8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

9. Brandon Smith

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Nat Butcher

12. Angus Crichton

13. Victor Radley

Interchange

14. Connor Watson

15. Naufahu Whyte

16. Sitili Tupouniua

17. Terrell May

Reserves

18. Michael Jennings

19. Egan Butcher

20. Fetalaiga Pauga

21. Zach Dockar-Clay

22. Siua Wong

Verdict

Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters

Bulldogs to cover with the 9.5 point headstart but is the the best bet and for the total to go under.

Under 38.5

Game Total

@10/11 - 3 Units

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Canterbury +10.5

Handicap Line

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