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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Tips - Manly poised for the upset

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Fri 25 Jul 2025 09:32

Andrew Hendrie 25 Jul 2025

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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles expert predictions for Sunday's NRL Round 21 game
Kick off is at 4.05pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Manly have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Dogs
Daly Cherry-Evans has scored a try in four of his last five appearances vs Canterbury
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Tips

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles, NRL Round 21 - Expert Prediction

Manly hold all the value in this blockbuster Sunday afternoon showdown as they look to spoil the Bulldogs' celebrations in the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 Grand Final at the old Sydney Football Stadium.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles, NRL Round 21 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
Manly Sea Eagles Form Analysis
Manly Sea Eagles Team News
Manly Sea Eagles Team List

Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles NRL Rd21 Cheat Sheet

Canterbury are playing at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time and are also chasing their 1000th win since entering the competition in 1935, along with looking to repeat what was a heroic victory over the Sea Eagles in the 1995 Grand Final. However, I'm backing Manly to play the role of party pooper in front of what is expected to be a parochial Bulldogs' dominant crowd at Moore Park.

The Sea Eagles have turned their season around from the DCE drama that threatened to derail their finals aspirations, coming into this clash on a three-game winning streak - including a brilliant 18-16 triumph on the road against Melbourne last week. Furthermore, Manly have absolutely dominated Canterbury in recent times, winning 11 of the last 12 meetings between the sides - including knocking them out of the finals last season.

Canterbury's form meanwhile has dipped - they've lost two of their last four games and a last-minute escape against a Dragons side that rarely win away from home last week doesn't inspire confidence at all. I've got no doubt Lachlan Galvin will end up being a good signing in the long term, but right now, he's still settling into new combinations and the team is suffering for it. I'm not sure the Bulldogs will have the points to hang with Manly here, so I'm going all in on the visitors and hell, lets back DCE in for a redemption four-pointer against a club he's had great tryscoring success against in the past.

Sea Eagles have won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the teams
Sea Eagles have won their last three games
Sea Eagles have won their last four games as underdogs
Bulldogs have lost two of their last four games
Eight of the Sea Eagles' nine wins in 2025 have been by 18+ points - when they win, they win well
Two of the Bulldogs' four defeats this season have been by 22+ points
Under 48.5 points has landed in the Bulldogs' last six games
Under 48.5 points has landed in the Sea Eagles' last 12 games
These two teams rank in the top three for points conceded this season
Daly Cherry-Evans has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances vs Bulldogs

Head To Head

As mentioned, Manly hold a dominant record over Canterbury in recent times, winning 11 of the last 12 contests dating back to 2018 - including a thrilling 24-22 triumph in the finals last season.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis

Overall, it's been a great season for the Bulldogs, but the forced reshuffling of their side to accomodate Galvin has put a dampener on their year over the last month or so.

Yes, Galvin contributed to the match-winner last week, but orchestrating a last-minute win over one of the NRL's worst away sides when your team was top of the ladder a few weeks ago isn't exactly cause for celebration.

In reality, the Bulldogs are playing like a team around the fringes of the top eight right now and only their defence in recent weeks in wins over the Cowboys and Dragons have allowed them to return to the winners circle.

This game could well prove a defining moment for the rest of their season.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Bronson Xerri returns from a groin injury and last week's try-scoring hero Jethro Rinakama is the unlucky man to make way, with Enari Tuala retaining his spot in the side on the wing.

Sam Hughes is also back and starts at prop, with Josh Curran reverting to the bench to fill the void left by Sitili Tupouniua, who has suffered another hamstring injury.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

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

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harry Hayes

16. Josh Curran

17. Bailey Hayward

Reserves

19. Jethro Rinakama

20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

21. Blake Wilson

22. Kurtis Morrin

23. Toby Sexton

Manly Sea Eagles Form Analysis

Manly are in the midst of turning their season around and this also looms as a crucial showdown as the race for a finals spot heats up.

The Sea Eagles will find themselves outside the top eight if Cronulla beat Souths on Saturday night, so suffice to say a fourth win on the trot here would be invaluable.

It was looking like Manly had thrown in the towel for 2025, but they've hit some resurgent form to register three consecutive victories heading into this encounter - including a superb 18-16 win over the Storm at AAMI Park last week.

While there's still lots of issues at Brookvale, the Sea Eagles appear to be playing for one another again and for coach Anthony Seilbold - and we know how much Manly love the underdog tag and the 'us vs them' mentality.

Manly Sea Eagles Team News

Huge boost for Manly as Haumole Olakau'atu returns to the side, meaning Corey Waddell drops to the bench and Tommy Talau moves to 18th man.

Manly Sea Eagles Team List

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

Interchange

14. Jake Simpkin

15. Corey Waddell

16. Ethan Bullemor

17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves

18. Tommy Talau

19. Clayton Faulalo

20. Caleb Navale

21. Joey Walsh

22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Verdict

Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles

Manly are backed for the upset as they look to continue their recent dominance over the Dogs.

DCE has a great tryscoring record against Canterbury and is great value for another four-pointer.

Manly Win

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