Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles Predictions: 3/1 DCE to cause further chaos for reeling Dogs

The first weekend of NRL Finals football comes to a close at Accor Stadium on Sunday with a humdinger. The Manly Sea Eagles travel to face the Canterbury Bulldogs with elimination on the line (kick-off 07:05 BST, 16:05 local, live on Sky Sports Main Event).

This game comes just 15 days after Manly arrived on the same patch of grass and left with a statement 34-22 win, but that result isn’t the only factor to consider in my Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles predictions. Yes, I do mean Josh Addo-Carr.

Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles Odds

For the first time in the Finals, the away team are favourites. Given the headlines running through this week, that’s no surprise. Manly are 5/6 to go to the Olympic Stadium and repeat their win of Round 26, with the Bulldogs 1/1.

The draw is 18/1, and that shouldn’t be discounted out of hand given that this ought to be the hardest-fought fixture of the weekend between the teams finishing sixth and seventh.

Team News

So here we go with that big news of the week. Addo-Carr, the key Bulldogs and Kangaroos Test wing man, was stopped by New South Wales Police on September 6 for being suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

While he apparently passed the first roadside test, Addo-Carr stood himself down from duty amid mixed reports as to his actual innocence. Then came the bombshell news on Friday that the 29-year-old’s secondary test came back positive for cocaine.

Rugby League Odds

The Bulldogs might have had a triple boost in the form of returns for Bronson Xerri, Jeral Skelton and Matt Burton, but that’s not the news anyone is talking about.

The Sea Eagles welcome back Tom Trbojevic after shoulder trouble, with Tommy Talau switching to the wing as Tolu Koula slots in at centre.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 3: Manly -10 @ 12/5

Given the drama of the build-up, the momentum has to be with Manly. Stick in the fact that they were pretty dominant in a key period of their last visit a fortnight ago, and it is surely in the hands of Anthony Seibold’s side to make it to the second week.

They scored four tries in 23 devastating first-half minutes in that 34-22 win, and I don’t see the story being much different. In fact, when you factor in all the noise around the Dogs and the loss of one of their star men, I just don’t see the home side getting it done.

Addo-Carr had returned in such good form following his hamstring tear mid-season, scoring five tries in five games after regaining a shirt.

But now his future at Belmore is in serious question and I see the club having plenty of time to focus on the controversy come full-time on Sunday.

Daly Cherry-Evans anytime tryscorer @ 3/1

Looking at him, it’s hard to believe Daly Cherry-Evans is 35 years old. But he is one of the key facs of the NRL, let alone the Sea Eagles.

The prominent half-back has been a fairly regular try-getter during his spectacular career. And his seven this season isn’t exactly a groundbreaking total, but it’s enough to reflect his influence.

And if things start to go against the Bulldogs, I can see the heart disappearing and holes opening up for DCE to make hay in.

The captain and talisman is 3/1 (implied 25% chance) to score at any time, and that is more than tempting.

You can read all our latest Super League Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.