Roosters vs Tigers Predictions & Betting Tips: NRL Round 26 2023

Saturday 5:30pm AEST, August 26th, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Roosters looked down and out and in line to miss the finals for the first time since 2016 just one month ago. However, four weeks can make the world of difference and with three wins in a row the majority of all punters and experts alike are backing the Bondi boys to play footy in September. The Wests Tigers are at the other end of the bottom-eight and will be fighting to register back-to-back victories for the second time this season to put pressure on the St George Illawarra Dragons in the fight to avoid the 2023 Wooden Spoon.

The Rooster’s run has been impressive if you compare it to how they were performing throughout the rest of the season. Easts were scoring just 17 points on average in attack over the first 19 games, compared to the 30 points they have been averaging in their last 3 games. It is not only in attack where they have improved, conceding an average of 23 points in their first 19 games, reducing their points against to an average of 14 in the last 3 rounds. The big questions for the Chooks will now be what effect the loss of James Tedesco will have on them this week, with Joey Manu filling in at the back, who has only won 1-game in his last 4 at the back for the Roosters. Also, how will the inclusion of Sam Walker at halfback disrupt the flow of their attack and their contiguity in their defensive line?

The Wests Tigers broke a 10-game losing streak last week when they got their fourth win of the season, beating a wounded Dolphins side by a sideline penalty that hit the crossbar off the foot of Api Koroisau. The 24-23 win against the Dolphins has changed the narrative in the locker room at Campbelltown, with the Tigers a shot at avoiding their second wooden spoon in consecutive years. The Tigers have been in with a chance in their last 6 games, losing by an average margin of just 8 points during that period. With a favourable draw next week playing Manly, and the Dragon’s facing the Knights who will be fighting for a top-8 spot, the Tigers could avoid last place, IF they get a win against the Roosters this week.

I am definitely not saying that the Wests Tigers are going to beat the Sydney Roosters, but I am saying that there is motivation to consider against a side that has some forced changes in their key positions that will affect the outcome of this match. With the best 1.90 handicap at 17.5, it also needs to be considered that the Tigers have only lost by over 17 points in just 27% of their defeats in 2023, while the Rooster have a winning margin of over 17 points in just 18% of games in which they have been victorious.

Wests Tigers +17.5

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