Another slobber knocker greets us in the early game on Friday night, when the Bulldogs (16th) head to Leichhardt Oval to take on the Tigers (15th), in a clash that will see the loser cemented to the bottom of the ladder. Some massive news during the week for the visitors, with Head Coach Trent Barrett resigning from his post, with many in the media claiming he was not so subtly kicked out the door by Phil Gould.
With Mick Potter coming in as Interim Head Coach, it will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs respond. The Tigers, on the other hand, are coming off the back of 3 straight losses, and desperately need a win. Playing a lowly Bulldogs side at their spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval seems a terrific opportunity for this to eventuate.
As always, stay tuned throughout the 2022 NRL season to get the best betting value when taking on the bookies, with our NRL Tips page previewing all the NRL matches in 2022.
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Leichhardt Oval, Friday 20th May, 6:00pm (AEST)
Squads
Wests Tigers
1. Starford To’a 2. Junior Tupou 3. Asu Kepaoa 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jock Madden 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue. INTERCHANGE: 14. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Alex Twal 16. Fa’amanu Brown 17. Stefano Utoikamanu. RESERVES: 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Oliver Gildart 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Brent Naden 22. Junior Pauga 23. Tukimihia Simpkins 24. Fonua Pole
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Matt Dufty 2. Jayden Okunbor 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jackson Topine 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson. INTERCHANGE: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Joe Stimson 16. Max King 17. Chris Patolo. RESERVES: 19. Jacob Kiraz 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Brandon Wakeham 22. Tuipulotu Katoa 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 24. Paul Alamoti 25. Ava Seumanufagai
Match Preview
The Bulldogs’ season has deteriorated, with struggling Head Coach Trent Barrett finally given his marching orders after the sides’ 16-6 loss to the Knights in Magic Round. Since the beginning of his tenure at the Bulldogs, I have maintained my stance that I do not rate Barrett as a Head Coach, even picking the Bulldogs to get the Wooden Spoon this season at $15. Whether Mick Potter can do anything remains to be seen, but the feeling coming out of Belmore is not a positive one, and it feels as though there is more pain on the horizon.
The Tigers showed what they are capable over a two-week period in April when they defeated the Eels and Rabbitohs in consecutive weeks. Unfortunately, normal service has resumed in the following weeks, with the Tigers limping to losses to the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Cowboys. A rough injury toll is certainly a part of the issue; however, it appears as though the two-week stretch was more the anomaly than the norm. Here though, they have a fantastic opportunity to create some distance to the bottom of the table.
There has been team news since original team lists were announced, with rumours circulating of several Bulldogs coming down with flu like symptoms, including Matt Burton and Josh Ado Carr. This of course set the market off, with the game opening close to a pick em, to now the Tigers being 4.5-point favourites. I don’t see value in that number now, however, would lean the Bulldogs if they are at full strength.
Given the uncertainty with the Bulldogs, we will go back to our tried-and-true formulas. We have been very profitable betting Bulldogs unders this season, and even more profitable betting early Friday night away sides going under their team totals. Teams seem to struggle getting up for this time slot, and given the turmoil surrounding the Bulldogs right now, it seems the best place to put your hard earned.
Alternate Bet:
Under 38.0 Points ($1.90 at Neds)
Bulldogs Under 16.5 Points
$1.88 (3 Units)
