This is the time of year that rugby league fans have been waiting for and for Raiders fans its been a 25-year wait while Roosters fans are looking to go back to back.
Sydney are a near-perfect 11-2 as the home favourite this season while Canberra are 5-1 as the away underdog. The Green Machine will take plenty of confidence into this game knowing they held the Rabbitohs to just 10-points last week, and with a 9-3 record on the road during the home/away season, there’s nothing stopping Canberra from pulling off a huge upset.
That said, the Roosters have plenty to feel good about themselves. Sydney have allowed only two tries in their last two games – an impressive feat against both the Rabbitohs and Storm in back-to-back weeks.
While a defensive struggle is predicted, the two encounters between these clubs during the home and away season – both won by the Roosters and totaling 94 points so we may get a high scoring match.
How To Watch:
Team news:
Roosters: The return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from his one-game suspension for tripping pushes Siosiua Taukeiaho back to the bench and Lindsay Collins to the reserves. Co-captain Jake Friend has once again been named on the reserves list with youngster Sam Verrills retaining his place in the starting side.
Raiders: Ricky Stuart has the luxury of naming the same 17 which got past Souths in the preliminary final. Hooker Josh Hodgson sat out training on Tuesday with a virus but that was just a precaution to ensure none of his team-mates picked up anything.
Betting Insights:
- Canberra has covered the line in each of its last seven matches as an away underdog.
- Sydney has won nine of its last 10 night matches at ANZ Stadium.
- Sydney has won the first half in 19 of its last 20 matches in Sydney.
- Each of Canberra’s last six matches have gone UNDER the total match points line.
- James Tedesco has scored at least one try in eight of Sydney’s last nine matches in Sydney.
- Latrell Mitchell has scored at least one try in four of Sydney’s last five matches against Canberra.
- Daniel Tupou has been the first try-scorer in two of Sydney’s last four finals.
- Josh Papalii has scored a try in three of Canberra’s last four night matches.
- John Bateman has scored a try in three of Canberra’s last four matches as an away underdog.
