The only game this weekend with zero finals implications, as the Bulldogs host the Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium to kick Sunday football off. With both teams having nothing but pride to play for, this one could get ugly, especially defensively. With these teams meeting for the second time this season, can the Bulldogs exact revenge, after their 31-6 round 1 loss to the Sea Eagles, or will Manly heap more pressure on the Bulldogs heading into the off-season.
Below, we will dissect the matchup, supply our Best Bet, and suggest a Same Game Multi. Be sure to keep up to date with all the NRL fixtures, as we preview every single game all season long, for free!
NRL Round 26 Preview & Betting Tips
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles
Accor Stadium, Sunday 27th August, 2:00pm (AEST)
Last Week
The Bulldogs headed south to take on the Raiders last week, and with the late withdrawal of Jack Wighton, the Bulldogs should have been confident in their chances of victory. Despite this, they were dominated by the Raiders, going down 36-24. It was their 8th time in the past 9 games they’ve conceded 30+ points, and you just can’t win with defence like that.
The Sea Eagles meanwhile went down swinging at the hands of the Warriors, losing 29-22 in a competitive matchup on Friday night. The Sea Eagles were great in the first half, leading 22-16 at the midway point. It took 7 points in the final 8 minutes for the Warriors to sneak home, with the Sea Eagles remaining more than competitive over the past couple of months, despite winning only 4 of their past 10, and losing 3 in a row.
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles opened 6.5-point favourites for this clash, and despite both teams’ performances last weekend, the Bulldogs have been favoured in the market at the price, as the Sea Eagles now sit 5.5-point favourites. And whilst the Sea Eagles have lost Reuben Garrick for the matchup, I believe the market has gone the wrong way in this one.
I make the Sea Eagles an 8/8.5-point favourite in this one, with the loss of Garrick possibly dragging it down to 7.5. With the number sitting at 5.5, I see value in the Sea Eagles. I’m a little concerned by the form of the Sea Eagles as favourites this year, covering only 3 of 8 games as favourites.
As for the total, it opened 44.5, and has been bet up to 46.5. Given the Bulldogs horrific defence over the past two months, it’s hard to argue with the market. However, these two teams have been notoriously poor this season in attack, with the Bulldogs the 2nd (17.7) and Sea Eagles 4th (20.4) worst attacks in points per game this season. So, whilst I agree with the market, I don’t want to bet the over.
So, I won’t be making a play on the total per se, however I will be making a play on a team total. As previously mentioned, the Bulldogs have been leaking points like a sieve lately, and with a team total sitting around 25.5, I’ll take the Sea Eagles to hit the over.
Other Bet
Sea Eagles (team total) over 25.5 - $1.88 @ Picklebet (1.5u)
Sea Eagles -4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Popular bookmaker Picklebet have launched their Same Game Multis for both the AFL and NRL. There are plenty of markets to choose from an excellent odds on offer, so make sure to check them out!
Sea Eagles to Win – As above, Sea Eagles should win this by 6+.
Jacob Kiraz 1+ Try – The Sea Eagles left side defence has been a weakness this season, and I like the tackle busting ability of Kiraz close to the line.
Daly Cherry-Evans 1+ Try – DCE got a hat trick in round 1 against the Bulldogs, and with no Trbojevic, Garrick, or Schuster, I expect DCE to run a lot more than usual in the redzone.
SGM Odds: $13 at Picklebet
