Picking try-scorers in Roosters vs. Bulldogs NRL semi final

Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
When: Friday, 18th September, 8:00pm
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

TWO of Sydney’s heavyweights come together as the minor premiership winners, the Sydney Roosters, find themselves in the tricky situation of do-or-die football.

Despite having the best record in the NRL throughout the regular season, losing to the Melbourne Storm in week one of the finals has put the Roosters in a must-win situation. A loss means they will crash and burn out of the finals, just like they did last year.

Looking to add to Sydney’s woe is Canterbury, which narrowly escaped with a win against the Dragons last week.

The Bulldogs boast a very impressive forward pack which could capitalise on the injury-troubled Roosters forwards, so expect a huge game this Friday night – punters don’t seem to know which way this will go.

Roosters vs. Bulldogs betting

Roosters – $1.38
Bulldogs – $3.15 at CrownBet.com.au

The Roosters opened up at $1.40 and were initially well supported into $1.36, but 50 percent of the money has since come for the Bulldogs, which has seen both prices move.

Punters of the Bulldogs have no injury concerns to worry about and Lloyd Perrett has been added to an extended bench for the meantime.

The Roosters welcome back Mitchell Pearce which is a massive inclusion for them after looking average at best in the halves against the Storm. There is an injury concern surrounding Boyd Cordener, who suffered a hip injury last week, but he is expected to play.

In terms of the head-to-head betting, we expect a lot of multi-bets to be running through the Roosters and the Cowboys, which play on Saturday night.

The straight money will continue to come for the Bulldogs which are great value at $3.15 with Sportsbet.com.au considering they’re coming off a win and the Roosters are coming off a loss.

The best bet in this game comes in the points start market where the Bulldogs are getting more than a converted try in their favour.

Roosters (-8) – $1.91
Bulldogs (+8) – $1.91 at CrownBet.com.au

As we witnessed last week, three of the four NRL games were decided by less than five points which makes the +8 for the Bulldogs look like a very good bet.

We’re not overly keen with form of Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds – he continually puts up high bombs with no general direction – but we do fancy the likes of the Morris brothers, Curtis Rona, Tim Lafai and that’s not even mentioning their impressive forward pack.

All the pressure is on the Roosters and we think the Bulldogs are experienced enough to take full advantage of that.

Team lineups and first tryscorer odds

Not many changes in the lineups this week. Bulldogs second rower Frank Pritchard has escaped a suspension after using his knees to make a tackle against the Dragons.

Mitchell Pearce comes back into the Roosters side which forces Jackson Hastings to the bench. Both sides remain unchanged otherwise.

Sydney Roosters:

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – $12
2. Daniel Tupou – $8.50
3. Michael Jennings – $12 at Sportsbet.com.au
4. Blake Ferguson – $12
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall – $8.50
6. James Maloney – $23
7. Mitchell Pearce – $23
8. Sam Moa – $26
9. Jake Friend – $34
10. Dylan Napa – $41
11. Boyd Cordner – $17
12. Aidan Guerra – $23
13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho – $26

14. Jackson Hastings – $26
15. Isaac Liu – $34
16. Kane Evans – $26
17. Mitch Aubusson – $20

Canterbury Bulldogs:

1. Brett Morris – $15
2. Curtis Rona – $8.50
3. Josh Morris – $18
4. Tim Lafai – $23
5. Sam Perrett – $17
6. Josh Reynolds – $26
7. Moses Mbye – $41 at Sportsbet.com.au
8. Aiden Tolman – $76
9. Damien Cook – $41
10. James Graham – $51
11. Josh Jackson – $41
12. Frank Pritchard – $26
13. Greg Eastwood – $51
14. Sam Kasiano – $51
15. Shaun Lane – $23
16. David Klemmer – $76
17. Tim Browne – $76

Roosters vs. Bulldogs tips and predictions

The Roosters have held sway over the Bulldogs in recent encounters, but the Roosters are coming off a loss against the Storm and their confidence would have taken a blow.

The Bulldogs enter this game on a lengthy winning streak, but many experts are questioning the level of opposition they have faced.

They have beaten teams such as the Titans, Rabbitohs, Knights, Warriors and Dragons, so not exactly top teams, but winning form is good form.

We’re expecting a tough forward battle and if the Bulldogs bigs can keep up with the quicker tempo that the Roosters will likely play, they have a real shot of causing an upset.

There isn’t much trust in the Roosters after they are showing signs of bombing like last year, but expect a better performance on Friday.

We think the Roosters win at $1.38, but only narrowly so taking the Bulldogs +8 at Sportsbet is the best option.