Roosters vs Sea Eagles Predictions: Tedesco show to take Roosters through?

The last name in the hat for next week’s NRL Preliminary Finals will be decided on Saturday when the Sydney Roosters take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium (kick-off 10:50 BST, 19:50 local, Sky Sports+).

Manly made it this far by edging the Canterbury Bulldogs out in their elimination tie last week, while the Roosters are on their last chance after losing to the Penrith Panthers in their qualifier. Here are my Roosters vs Sea Eagles predictions along with full match odds.

Roosters vs Sea Eagles Odds

It’s the Roosters who are being backed by Betfred to make it through to the Preliminary Finals. They are 8/15 to win on Saturday, with Manly 8/5.

The draw is available at 20/1, with the 2-way handicap placed at 4.5 points in Manly’s favour. In that scenario, the Sea Eagles are 5/6 and the Roosters 10/11.

Team News

Remarkably, Victor Radley could be back in the Roosters line-up just three weeks on from breaking his scapula. He’s included amongst the reserves, so has a chance of involvement.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is slated to start as his NRL career reaches its last-chance saloon ahead of his move to Hull Kingston Rovers for 2024.

Nat Butcher is named on the bench, with Zach Dockar-Clay – himself a one-time Hull KR man – making way for Waerea-Hargreaves’ return.

Sam Walker and Brandon Smith are both still out.

Rugby League Odds

The Sea Eagles look set to go with the same 17 which beat the Bulldogs last week as they aim to make it through the finals from seventh spot.

That means there’s still no place for Jason Saab, whose ankle injury continues to keep him out, while Tom Trbojevic plays on with a shoulder complaint.

Handicap 3-way Alt 4: Roosters -14 @ 12/5

The Roosters won’t start as badly as they did in their qualifying play-off against the Panthers because, well, they just can’t. Trent Robinson’s side were 24-0 down by half-time and already presumably making arrangements for this clash as a result.

They do have JWH back though, and they come up against a Manly side with nowhere near the same firepower as the three-time back-to-back champion Panthers.

I can see James Tedesco delivering one of his classic performances in a Roosters win. And while I fancied the -10 market initially with the Roosters priced at 13/8, you can get almost a whole point more value for the sake of an extra try so I’m backing them to do it.

James Tedesco Anytime Tryscorer @ 10/11

Big games are ‘Teddy’s playground, and this is a week when the Roosters simply have to deliver following the first-half no-show against the Panthers.

The Australia Test skipper has come across as being a little tetchy in press interviews this week amidst constant talk about the injury issues which could harm the Roosters’ chances.

But he could well turn the tide of all the off-field talk if he produces a classic Tedesco display to send his side to the penultimate week of the season.

I fancy him to lead from the front with a try in a winning display, and extend the Roosters’ interests into the Preliminary Finals. The 10/11 odds imply a 52.4% chance, and I’m thinking that’s value.

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