Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Predictions, Tips & Head to Head

A massive clash to close out the round with second-placed Canterbury and seventh-placed Manly locking horns at Allianz Stadium.

The Bulldogs have a significant bogey to overcome, having won just one of their last 12 against the Sea Eagles. Manly won a Round 26 clash 34-22 last season before taking out an elimination final thriller 24-22 a fortnight later – both at Accor Stadium.

Responding to back-to-back losses to Penrith and Brisbane in patchy fashion, Canterbury has edged battling sides North Queensland 12-8 and St George Illawarra 20-18 in the past fortnight – the latter via a 78th-minute try laid on brilliantly by contentious No.7 selection Lachie Galvin.

But overall the Bulldogs remain down on the form that carried them to a 9-1 start.

Bronson Xerri is back on deck for the Bulldogs, with Enari Tuala going to the wing and Jethro Rinakama dropping out. Sam Hughes returns in time to replace Sitili Tupouniua.

The Sea Eagles have revived their campaign – which was teetering after a 3-7 run – with three straight wins over the Tigers (28-10), Rabbitohs (30-12) and, in a stunning upset, the Storm (18-16).

The performance was overshadowed by the controversial late penalty that won them the game, but the Sea Eagles’ win was built on an outstanding completion rate and defensive grit.

Haumole Olakau’atu is a huge in for the Sea Eagles, pushing Corey Waddell to the bench and Tommy Talau to 18th man.

This is the closest head-to-head market of Round 21 – with the Bulldogs $1.65 favourites – and it’s not hard to see why. Expect it to go down to the wire as the Sea Eagles eye off another big scalp.

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 6.5 Points @ $2.70

SGM: SEA EAGLES +3.5 / OVER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / JACOB KIRAZ ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TOLUTAU KOULA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $12.65

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Bulldogs team news: Bronson Xerri (groin) will return at centre, pushing Enari Tuala to the wing and Jethro Rinakama out of the side. Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) is set for another stint on the sidelines and has been replaced by Samuel Hughes in the 17.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Sea Eagles team news: Huge inclusion with back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) named to return from injury. Jake Simpkin (head knock) has been named despite failing to return to the field in round 21 from a HIA.