Magic Round kicks off with the Raiders and the Bulldogs with the resurgent Canterbury one of the better bets in Round 11.
Best Bet
Canterbury have been arguably the most improved team in the NRL this year and one thing they have learned to do is win when they are supposed to.
In their last five, the Bulldogs have beaten the Knights and Tigers when expected to, ran the Storm and Panthers to one-score games and shocked the Roosters.
They are a team that has purchased plenty of talent and it is starting to come together, even with some poor selection decisions and no halfback.
Canberra have certainly dug in this year after being touted as wooden spoon contenders and they have just extended Ricky Stuart until 2029. Jordan Rapana returns.
This is a great spot though for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have covered their last four against Top 8 teams, they have covered four of five when favoured and four of their last five interstate.
Canberra are in an equally horrific spot. They are 13-29 ATS off a win and 12-20 ATS off scoring 20-plus. They cover at just 40% interstate.
Get around the Bulldogs this week.
Insights
🏈 Canberra’s Dominance Over Canterbury: Canberra has maintained a perfect record in the last 8 matchups against Canterbury.
📈 Canterbury’s Recent Cover Success: Canterbury has successfully covered the spread in 6 out of the last 7 games.
📉 Canberra’s Performance Against Lower-Ranked Teams: Canberra struggles to cover the spread against bottom 9 teams, with no covers in the last 4 games, though the matches tend to be high-scoring, with overs achieved in 12 of the last 15 games against such teams.
Same Game Multi
Bronson Xerri has scored twice in his return to the NRL and looks a big chance given the way the Bulldogs like to attack.
Stephen Crichton has six tries in five games against Canberra and is up against the weak element of the Raiders defence.
Value Bet
Sam Hughes has emerged as Canterbury’s best prop and he has found a bit of tryscoring form in the process with his position secured in the team. He has scored twice in the last five games and has crossed in two of the last three wins. He is a nice value play.
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