Canterbury Bulldogs and the Dragons will clash in the opening game of the NRL’s Indigenous Round on Thursday night.
Both sides sit just outside the top eight and the aim is to force their way in there and play finals at the end of the season.
It makes the Accor Stadium clash even more important as neither side will want to lose any more ground on the teams above them.
The Bulldogs are priced at 4.00 to make the eight this season, while the Dragons can be backed at 5.00.
Every point is crucial and both sides will be fighting hard for the win, which should make it an exciting opening clash.
. What: Canterbury Bulldogs v St George/Illawarra Dragons
. Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney
. When: 19:50 (AEST), Thursday 23rd May 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Canterbury Bulldogs 1.60, St George/Illawarra Dragons 2.35
Bulldogs look to bounce back
The Bulldogs wasted a great opportunity to pick up a crucial two points against Canberra Raiders in Magic Round.
Cameron Ciraldo's side were leading by eight points at Suncorp Stadium, but the Raiders came roaring back to snatch a thrilling 24-20 win.
It means they have now suffered six defeats in 10 games, including the last two, and it is crucial they bounce back on home soil against the Dragons.
Accor Stadium has become something of a fortress for them however and they will be targeting their fourth win on the bounce at the venue.
Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights have all been put to the sword at Accor this season.
They also have a great record when the Dragons visit winning seven of the last nine meetings.
It is likely to be a close encounter and the Bulldogs can be backed at 3.10 to win the game by 1-12 points.
Josh Addo-Carr will also be a huge threat. The Foxx has scored 22 tries in 24 games at Accor Stadium and has some extra motivation with State of Origin selection on the horizon.
Dragons rested and ready
The Dragons will have been disappointed to miss out on Magic Round last week, but on a positive side it means they should be rested and raring to go.
They sit two points above the Bulldogs on the ladder, and before the bye they beat South Sydney Rabbitohs by 28-14.
The Red V now need to build on the result by seeing off the Bulldogs in their own backyard.
The Dragons do not have a great record at Accor Stadium, but they did manage to win there in the 2023 campaign.
They came out on top by 10 points and can be backed at 3.40 to win by 1-12 on Thursday night.
The Dragons are also boosted by the return of Luciano Leilua, who has recovered from a calf injury and will be in contention to start.
Zac Lomax has seven tries in 10 appearances in 2024 and will be looking to add to that tally against the Bulldogs.
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