Bradford Bulls vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Sexton the peach among tryscorer bets

Bradford Bulls host a top-flight fixture at Odsal for the first time since 2014, when the Betfred Super League new boys host a Catalans Dragons side who brushed aside Huddersfield Giants in Round 1.  (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports+)

The Bulls came close to opening with a win themselves, eventually succumbing 27-20 in a cracker at Hull FC. That performance will inform my Bradford Bulls vs Catalans Dragons predictions, which follow with full team news and Betfred's latest match odds.

Team News

The Bulls showed plenty of fight last week but picked up a couple of key injuries that will see two players drop out.

Giant winger Jayden Okunbor and Dan Russell both picked up issues, although winger Ethan Ryan is fit to return following illness. The former Salford Red Devils flyer finished last season with Oldham in the Championship and is in line to make his 100th Bulls appearance on his second stint with the club.

Catalans only make one change to what is a 20-man travelling party, although the absentee is talisman Ben Garcia.

The France international forward is suspended, with his place in the squad going to Alexis Lis.

Bradford Bulls vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Bradford are a 5/2 pick as the Dragons descend on Odsal for the first time in 12 years. The visitors themselves are heavy 1/3 favourites for the win, while it's 18/1 for the game to finish level in 80 minutes and head to golden-point extra-time.

Catalans give up a 9.5-point edge on the standard two-way handicap, with Joel Tomkins' side 5/6 to still come out on top. Bradford are 10/11 to make the most of the advantage.

Handicap 3-way Alt 2: Catalans -6 @ 8/13

The Bulls get a 10-point start on the three-way handicap with Betfred and that feels about right, although had they been more clinical last week I think they would have beaten Hull.

A muddy Odsal in February will be something that Catalans can't really do much to prepare for, so this could be a fascinating battle.

I liked the signing of Lewis Dodd by the French side - the former St Helens man had a disappointing attempt at breaking the NRL and returns to the British game with plenty to prove but the same outrageous talent that took him to Australia in the first place. I feel he could prove one of the shrewdest bits of business for 2026.

As for Bradford, I do think they will grab a few scalps on their return to the big time, but those injuries to Okunbor and Russell feel big. The last thing you want to be losing against a team as physical as the Dragons are two big units like these two.

There isn't a great deal of point looking at the form book for this fixture, but being an anorak I will do so anyway. The last meeting came in 2014 when the Bulls lost a thriller at home by just two points. Catalans won their home fixture with ease 46-4, and a third meeting that year saw Bradford knock the Dragons out of the Challenge Cup 33-20.

Bradford will need the crowd heavily involved to get a result here but I feel they are capable. I also feel, however, that the stronger team is Catalans, and as such I am going with the French side for a narrow win.

Both of our Dragons tips came in last week - with a 7/5 -14 handicap landing in their 16-point win over Huddersfield, and Tommy Makinson opening his scoring account for the season at 11/10. Let's hope we are on the ball again this week.

Toby Sexton Anytime Tryscorer @ 3/1

Watching back the Dragons game this week, one thing I liked was their new-look half-back pairing of Dodd and Australian Toby Sexton.

The latter's kicking game was key and I think this is a partnership that can flourish. Neither half-back got over for a try, with most of the threat coming out wide. But on the heavy ground of Odsal the support play will be key to finishing off any chance created down the middle.

As such I'm looking at both Dodd (7/2) or Sexton at 3/1 to open their accounts, while former Wests Tigers full-back Charlie Staines also interests me at 1/1 after crossing for a try last week.

For the Bulls, I would be looking at Ethan Ryan to cap his milestone game with a touchdown - the former Salford man is available at 6/4.

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