St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Predictions: Dragons to claim bragging rights

The battle to finish in the NRL’s top eight continues on Saturday morning as the St George Illawarra Dragons prepare to host rivals the Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (10:35 kick-off). Canterbury have a good record in this local derby, having won three of their last four encounters.

However, the Dragons have made Netstrata Jubilee Stadium a tough place to go to these days and, on the back of a landmark win over the Melbourne Storm last time out, St George Illawarra look ready to back up that win with a victory in this all-Sydney affair on Saturday.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

Having ended a 25-year wait for a win in Melbourne against the Storm, it’s little surprise Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan has named the same 17-man squad for this weekend.

After missing the Storm game due to concussion protocols, Mat Feagai is listed as the 18th man for Saturday.

As for the visitors Canterbury, their head coach Cameron Ciraldo has also named the same 17-man squad that managed to beat the Canberra Raiders 22-18 last time out.

Prop Josh Curran was a doubt, but he ha shrugged off a shoulder injury to be available for derby day.

Match Odds

The Dragons are 5/4 to win, while the Bulldogs are 4/6 to come away from Netstrata Jubilee Stadium with the spoils.

A draw on Saturday morning is available at 20/1, while the Dragons are 6/5 to be leading the game at the half-time whistle.

St George Illawarra Dragons to win @ 5/4 

While the Bulldogs have done well in this fixture of late, their record of just two wins in their last 15 NRL away games makes it hard to side with the visitors in this one.

Added to that, the Dragons have won five of their past seven home games and, on the back of an historic 18-16 win at Melbourne, Saturday’s hosts will be brimming with confidence.

The Dragons need to be picking up points on home soil to force their way into the top eight and they are good value to get the job done this weekend against the Bulldogs.

Over 53.5 total points @ 13/8

The last meeting between these sides earlier this year ended with 66 points being scored at Belmore Sports Ground.

With the attacking talent show and the consistency in selection shown by both head coaches, this could well be another high-scoring affair.

Over 53.5 total points would have landed in two of the last three meetings in the NRL between these rivals and we expect the trend to continue in this highly-anticipated showdown.

Rugby League Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.