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Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers NRL Tips - Raiders set for a big win over Tigers at GIO

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 28 Aug 2025 11:38

Andrew Hendrie 28 Aug 2025

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Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 26 game
Kick off is at 3.00pm AEST at GIO Stadium
Raiders tipped for big 13+ win with the minor premiership potentially on the line
Ethan Strange is on fire, coming into this clash with nine tries in his last 10 games
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers NRL Tips

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction

The good times are set to keep rolling in the nation's capital as the Raiders can potentially secure the minor premiership with a win over the Tigers to kick off Super Saturday.

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
Canberra Raiders Form Analysis
Canberra Raiders Team News
Canberra Raiders Team List
Wests Tigers Form Analysis
Wests Tigers Team News
Wests Tigers Team List

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers NRL Tips

After the stunning 'Miracle in Mudgee' last week, the Raiders can keep the party going by putting a big score on the Tigers, who are done for 2025 following last week's disappointing defeat to the Cowboys at Leichhardt. If an understrength Melbourne side lose to the Roosters on Friday night, then Canberra can claim the minor premiership with a victory here, so expect the Green Machine to be going all out in front of their home faithful.

Normally I would expect the Raiders to have a letdown after last week's extraordinary golden point triumph over the Panthers, but this could be a unique circumstance and my thought here is that Ricky Stuart keeps the momentum going before potentially resting players in the final round. As such, I'm backing Canberra by a 13+ margin with Over 50.5 total points. I believe there's a strong chance the Tigers throw in the towel after last week's letdown, while star man Adam Doueihi is out. Ethan Strange has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the NRL and he can continue his great try-scoring run on Saturday.

Raiders have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the teams
Raiders have won nine of their 10 games at GIO Stadium this season
Tigers haven't won at GIO Stadium since 2018
Five of the Raiders' last six home wins have been by 13+ margins
Those five wins were against bottom nine opponents
Seven of the Raiders' last eight games at GIO Stadium have seen Over 50.5 points
Ethan Strange has scored nine tries in his last 10 games

Head To Head

Canberra have dominated the Tigers in recent times, winning nine of the last 10 encounters - including a 16-12 victory in Round 16 after racing out to a 16-0 lead after just 26 minutes and holding on for the victory.

Canberra Raiders Form Analysis

I don't think any sane Canberra fan would have believed you if you said the Green Machine could potentially clinch the minor premiership in this Round 26 game at the start of the season, but here we are.

It's been an extraordinary season for the Raiders, with the side losing just two games since Round 4 - and even those defeats were strange outliers, with Canberra leading the Dogs 20-0 in Round 10 before going down by six points to the Dragons in cyclonic conditions in Wollongong in Round 22.

Written off by many last week, Ricky Stuart delivered another coaching masterclass, getting his side up for a ridiculous 20-16 golden point triumph over the Panthers, with Ethan Strange running almost 100 metres after Nathan Cleary's golden point field goal attempt hit the upright, setting up Kaeo Weekes for the match-winning try.

Weekes continued his electric season by running for 283 metres, while Hudson Young was again immense with 24 carries, 29 tackles and 201 metres.

Canberra Raiders Team News

Savelio Tamale makes a timely return from a knee injury to replace Xavier Savage, who is out for the remainder of the year with a shoulder issue.

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Jed Stuart

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papali’i

9. Tom Starling

10. Joseph Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Zac Hosking

13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

14. Owen Pattie

15. Simi Sasagi

16. Morgan Smithies

17. Ata Mariota

Reserves

18. Noah Martin

19. Manaia Waitere

20. Danny Levi

21. Trey Mooney

22. Ethan Sanders

Wests Tigers Form Analysis

It was classic Tigers last week.

After recording back-to-back 13+ victories over the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles to keep their faint finals hopes alive, Benji Marshall's side were seemingly cruising when they were leading the Cowboys by 12 points in the second half of their clash at Leichhardt last week.

However, it all came crashing down for the Tigers as they leaked 18 points in the last 14 minutes to lose 34-28. To make matters worse, Adam Doueihi suffered a fractured skull and is out for the rest of the year.

With nothing to play for in the final two games, Benji has a big job ahead of him to get his players motivated here.

Wests Tigers Team News

Latu Fainu moves to halfback for the injured Doueihi, with Heath Mason joining the bench. Starford To'a returns from a shoulder injury in the centres in place of Brent Naden.

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Taylan May

4. Starford To’a

5. Jeral Skelton

6. Jarome Luai

7. Latu Fainu

8. Terrell May

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. Fonua Pole

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Sione Fainu

13. Alex Twal

Interchange

14. Heath Mason

15. Royce Hunt

16. Charlie Murray

17. Tony Sukkar

Reserves

18. Heamasi Makasini

19. Kit Laulilii

20. Krystian Mapapalangi

21. Tristan Hope

22. Brent Naden

Verdict

Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers

Canberra are tipped to put a big score on the Tigers, who have nothing to play for after capitulating last week.

Ethan Strange has scored nine tries in his last 10 games & can cross for another four-pointer here.

Raiders 13+

Line

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