NRL Betting: Back Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to beat Sydney Roosters on the Handicap

Recommended bet: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (-6 Handicap) @ 2.00 with bet365

Round 17 of the NRL Telstra Premiership gets underway on Thursday evening as struggling Sydney Roosters play host to an in-form Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs team who will be looking to cement their place in the top eight with a third consecutive victory.

The Roosters have had a disastrous campaign, winning just three matches to date and lying 15th (of 16) in the NRL Premiership going into this game.  They’ve lost their last two matches, but at least have the benefit of coming into this game after having a bye in round 16.  Their season has been seriously hampered by injuries, but the break should at least ensure that half-back Mitchell Pearce is fit to return in place of Jackson Hastings.

Having been trounced 46-0 by Melbourne Storm in their last game at the Allianz Stadium, the Roosters will be looking for a much improved showing in front of their own long-suffering supporters.  They did show improvement at the New Zealand Warriors last time out, where they went down 12-10, but they realistically have little left to play for besides pride this season and are facing a Bulldogs team that are flying after big victories at St George Illawarra Dragons (34-16) and then at home to Brisbane Broncos (40-14) last weekend.  

Bulldogs were further boosted by the long-awaited return of winger Brett Morris after two knee operations had ruled him out of the campaign.  His first game of the year could hardly have had a more successful outcome, as he went over for three tries against the Broncos.

Morris’ return leaves Roosters’ coach Des Hasler with an embarrassment of riches in his three-quarter line, particularly with Josh Morris also set to return from a groin injury.  It’s likely that one of Curtis Rona, Sam Perrett or Kerrod Holland could have to make way.

Given both current form and the fact that only one team has anything much to play for, it’s difficult to see anything other than a Bulldogs victory here and it should be a relatively comfortable one at that.  Taking the Bulldogs with -6 points on the Handicap looks to be a decent option.