St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction: An end-to-end encounter with a lot of attacking plays

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium will host the National Rugby League opening encounter between St. George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won the two meetings between these sides. Can the Dragons open their season with a positive result? I will preview this game and offer predictions. 

St. George Illawarra Dragons

The St. George Illawarra Dragons will come into the new season hoping to get things right after a struggling performance the previous year. In the regular season, this team played 24 matches and accumulated 28 points, finishing just two points behind playoff teams. In the meantime, this team ended their season with three consecutive defeats, coming against the Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders. Ahead of this game, the home team won consecutive games against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Canterbury Bulldogs

Canterbury Bulldogs made the playoffs last season but will have to do better this season, having not made it past the round of ⅛. In 24 matches played, Canterbury Bulldogs had 34 points, scored 529 goals and conceded 433, which saw them finish in 6th place. However, in their playoff game against the Manly Sea Eagles, the Canterbury Bulldogs lost in a 2-point margin encounter, ending 22-24. Heading into the new season, the Canterbury Bulldogs have lost four of their last five matches, their lone victory coming against the Wests Tigers in the preseason. 

Expert Betting Tips

St. George Illawarra Dragons showed character in the preseason, but that is not enough to see this team being the favourite in this game. On the other hand, Canterbury Bulldogs are the better team on paper, and it is just impossible to confidently back them despite having dominated this fixture in the past. Considering what the two teams can offer in this game, I will lean on attacking play here. Also, with the St. George Illawarra Dragons at home, I do not expect them to be dominated, provided they show the level of performances they give in the playoffs. 

Our first option is over 42.5 with odds at 2.00 on 1Xbet

Our second option is handicap W1(+3.5) with odds at 1.91 on Bet365

Our last option is half time over 20.5 with odds at 1.83 on Betway