Round 14 action begins on Friday night, with another reduced round due to Origin. This means just one match will feature on Friday, with the Wests Tigers hosting the Raiders in Campbelltown. Each team has experienced their share of highs and lows so far this season but will sense the opportunity to capture a victory over a vulnerable opponent. The Tigers sit far lower on the competition ladder than the Raiders but the NRL Power Rankings tell a different story. Either way, the stage is set for an exciting match. As always, Before You Bet will hopefully find you a winner to enhance your viewing enjoyment across the weekend.
NRL Round 14 Preview & Betting Tips
Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders
Friday 2nd June, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
The Tigers enjoyed a Bye in Round 13, following their 66-18 demolition of the Cowboys at home. In an impressive performance, the attacking shackles were broken by the Tigers style; it was a performance which had been promised in the weeks prior and built upon strong team chemistry, as well as poor execution from their opponent. The 11-try display saw them have a 65% of possession and complete at 93%, while running for over 1,000m more than their opponents and having 13 line breaks. The challenge for them is to maintain this momentum following a week off.
The Raiders bounced back from an embarrassing Round 12 loss to the Sea Eagles with a strong 7-point victory over the Rabbitohs. The high scoring affair saw the teams evenly matched for majority of the contest, with a late try and field goal confirming the result. They were outsiders for the match but led their opponents in metres gained, post contact metres and line breaks, while also only missing 11 total tackles. This is the type of performance which saw them go on a winning streak prior to their most recent loss. On their day, they are a capable team and now need to search for consistency to keep this run of form going.
The Tigers find themselves as slight outsiders ($2.0 5 vs $1.77) for this game, with the result depending on whether Koroisau plays; if the does, the Tigers chances of winning increase. While the Raiders also have Young returning from Wednesday night’s match, he is less crucial to his team’s success compared to the Tigers hooker. Assuming both play, the odds for this game are accurate. The Tigers can cause an upset but will need the same level of ball control as they displayed last week. The Raiders are the stronger side but their errors in a match often provides opportunities to opponent’s. Recent history favours the visitors too; the Raiders have won the past 5 matches between these two sides, with the Tigers last coming in Round 22, 2018. 3 of those victories have been by 13+ margins, with the average being 21.6 points courtesy of a 46-point victory in 2022.
The trip to Campbelltown fails to sway the contest towards either opponent with each having a relatively poor record here (Tigers 42% vs Raiders 40%). All signs point towards a tight contest. Invest around this as each will look the winner at one stage or another in this contest. While capable of a blowout victory, each also can provide their opponents with opportunities through ill-discipline.
Either Team By 10 points or less
$1.85 (2 Units)
