NRL Super Saturday continues at 5:30pm AEST at Sydney Olympic Park, as the Bulldogs look to put the pieces back together after their season has started to unravel over the past two months. They will have a great chance at doing so, when they take on the Dragons who have lost 7 of their past 10, including their last two games. With the Minor Premiership slipping away, the Bulldogs will be looking for a big bounce back here.
Bulldogs vs Dragons Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 20
Have the Doggies Peaked too Soon?
The Bulldogs come in off the back of a tight 12-8 victory last week over the Cowboys, however after seeing the Cowboys on Thursday night being demolished by the Dolphins, this win hasn’t aged particularly well. The Bulldogs were probably lucky to get away with the two points, going down 8-0 inside half an hour, before a dubious no call on a Viliame Kikau high shot cost the Cowboys at least 4 points. The Bulldogs played well in the five minutes before half time, snagging two converted tries to take the lead into the break 12-8. No points were scored by either team in the second half, and serious question marks are starting to appear for the Bulldogs and their spine since the arrival of Lachlan Galvin, who seems to have driven a wedge between the playing group. With Galvin recalled this week and Toby Sexton dropped, it will be an interesting Saturday evening for Bulldogs fan, players, and power brokers. The Bulldogs discipline was horrible last week, missing 57 tackles, making 15 errors, and conceding seven penalties. Have we seen the best of the Bulldogs in season 2025?
Pressure Ramps up on Coach Flanagan
The Dragons come in off their second straight loss last week, going down 31-24 to the Roosters. It was another semi-competitive performance from the Dragons, who have looked good over the past month of football. Sadly, it hasn’t really translated on the ladder, as they currently sit in a bit of a dead zone in 11th, four points off the top 10 sides. Last week they were led by Valentine Holmes who ran for 235 metres, also breaking the line once and setting up a try. Jayden Su’A was also massive, running for almost 200 metres, scoring a try and setting up another. Like the Bulldogs last week, the Dragons’ discipline was lacking, missing 35 tackles, making 9 errors, and conceding 4 penalties against the Roosters. Their spine also struggled, and the pressure continues to mount on Head Coach Shane Flanagan and his selections in the halves.
Bulldogs vs Dragons Recent History
The Bulldogs have dominated the recent rivalry with the Dragons, winning five of the past six, and the last four matchups by an average margin of close to 20 points.
The last matchup occurred all the way back in round 1 this season, with the Dragons closing as 3.5-point home underdogs, with a low closing total of 40.5. The majority of the game was dominated by the Bulldogs, who despite trailing 6-4 at the half hour mark, managed to lead 28-6 just 22 minutes later, as they ran in four unanswered converted tries to take control of the game. The Dragons managed to score three unanswered tries in the ensuing 20 minutes, but it wasn’t enough, as the Bulldogs ran out 28-20 winners.
Doggies to Scrape Home Against Dogged Dragons
The Bulldogs opened 9.5-point favourites on the look ahead line last week, before re-opening at the same number. Some Dragons money has entered the market, pushing this to 8.5, however that really isn’t a huge jump given not many games are won by 9 points.
I see decent value in the number on the Bulldogs here, with my fair spread being 11.5 for this game. However, I am a little scared off by the Bulldogs at the moment, who have not been in great form. With the change in spine (Burton 6, Galvin 7), it’s difficult to price the game, however I would still lean towards the Bulldogs covering, and would consider the spread of 7.5 as my best bet, however as we are not there yet, I’ll leave the spread alone.
Looking at the total, and it opened 44.5 and hasn’t moved all week. I would lean towards the under, as I make a fair total for this one 42.5, however it’s a bit too close to the number, and I’m not entirely sure what the Bulldogs attack will look like with Galvin at 7. Lean under, but a pass for now. For what it’s worth, the Bulldogs have been an unders team (6-10), whilst the Dragons have tended to play towards the over (10-6).
So, no best bet on spread, or the total here. It won’t be a big bet, but I like the Bulldogs to get this done by a smaller margin. The Dragons have done well at keeping games close this season, losing only twice by the margin of 13+. They have shown they can stay close with the big teams, and I trust them to keep the Doggies in check here.
Bulldogs (1-12)
$3.25 (1 Unit)
Bulldogs vs Dragons Player Prop Bet: Big Barnstorming Billy Kikau
Our Best Prop Bet: Kikau 1+ Try
Only four tries this season for the barnstorming back-rower, I expect him to crash over for one here. The Dragons have struggled defending on the right, and I can see the Doggies going hard left in this clash.
Viliame Kikau (1+ try)
$3.30 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi: Bulldogs vs Dragons
Leg 1: Bulldogs ML – As above, I like the Bulldogs to get the job done here.
Leg 2: V Kikau (1+ try) – See above player prop bet.
Leg 3: V Holmes (1+ try) – Unlucky to not get a try last week, I expect the Maroons superstar to score this week.
Bulldogs vs Dragons vs Better Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, 19th July
Location: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Weather: Fine, 15 degrees
Odds: Bulldogs ($1.38) vs Dragons ($3.05)
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Where to Watch Bulldogs vs Dragons
Watch the Bulldogs vs Dragons match on Channel 9, as well as live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
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