Raiders vs Dolphins Prediction: Origin call-ups may halt visitors’ winning run

The NRL ladder is starting to take shape and both the Canberra Raiders and Dolphins are among a clutch of clubs separated by just two competition points in the middle of the standings.
That is a measure of the pair's inconsistency this season, although the Dolphins head to the capital with their tails up after a three-game winning streak.
Raiders vs Dolphins Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publishing
The Dolphins opened up as narrow favourites to win in Canberra but they are now 5/4 outsiders.
Canberra are 8/11 in the 80-minute market with the draw a 14/1 chance. The Raiders are asked to give up four points on the handicap.
Team news
Daine Laurie has been named at stand-off by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart due to Ethan Strange's selection for New South Wales ahead of next week's State or Origin series.
Hudson Young is also away with the Blues so Ata Mariota starts in the back row, while Jordan Uta is set to make his NRL debut from the bench.
Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath have all been named in Queensland's squad for the first Origin match next week and miss out.
Bradley Schneider starts in the halves in place of Kodi Nikorima, who has a hamstring injury.
Canberra Raiders -4 @ 21/20
Three straight victories have propelled the Dolphins up to eighth on the NRL ladder but call-ups for next week's State of Origin opener could spell the end of their winning run.
Four Dolphins players have been named in Queensland's starting 13 for next Wednesday's Origin clash in Sydney including star backs Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who have scored 13 tries between them this term.
Throw an injury to influential playmaker Kodi Nikorima into the mix, and the Dolphins could struggle to post enough points against the Raiders on Thursday.
As a 4-6 record shows, Canberra have been hit and miss over the first 11 rounds of competition.
But three of their four victories this season have come in their last five outings, including a 26-22 win over a Melbourne Storm side who narrowly came up short in the Grand Final last season.
The Raiders are less affected by Origin, although Australia second-row Hudson Young will be a big miss, and they have a decent record against the Dolphins, winning three of the pair's last four meetings.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Kaeo Weekes first tryscorer @ 10/1
Raiders star Kaeo Weekes has thrived since moving from the halves to full-back at the end of the 2024 season and he is on an impressive try-scoring run.
Canberra's recent revival following a four-game losing streak has coincided with a return to form from Weekes, who has scored five tries in his last five NRL games.
Weekes was on the scoresheet as the Raiders beat the Dolphins 40-28 in last season's corresponding fixture, and with the visitors' backline depleted due to Origin, the 24-year-old's electric footwork could help him cross for the first try of the game in the capital.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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