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Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Tips - Dragons to breathe fire into ANZAC clash
The much-anticipated ANZAC day matchup between Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons is sparking excitement. Despite being the underdog, the Dragons show promising potential to win, with their flexible ball movement and defense strategy. In contrast, the Roosters are struggling to find their rhythm, plagued by weak running and defensive performance. Expert advice suggests betting on St George Illawarra to win on the Moneyline, with Roosters expected to be under their team total. Keep an eye on Tyrell Sloan, likely to shine again with his tryscoring form.
- Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons expert predictions for Friday’s Round 8 NRL game
- Kick off is at 4:00 PM (AEDT) at Allianz Stadium
- Dragons expected to win, showcasing effective ball movement.
- Roosters struggle with poor running meters and defensive tactics.
- Key players: Watch Tyrell Sloan for crucial plays and scores.
Dragons to break through on ANZAC Day!
Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction
The traditional ANZAC day slate kicks off with the Roosters vs Dragons rivalry with St George Illawarra expected to take the win as the slight Underdog.
- Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head
- Sydney Roosters Form Analysis & Betting Trends
- Recent Form
- 2025 Betting Trends
- Sydney Roosters Team News
- Sydney Roosters Team List
- St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis & Betting Trends
- Recent Form
- 2025 Betting Trends
- St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
- St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
- Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8 FAQ’s
This is an extremely difficult game to handicap given the difference in results these two teams have had compared to their pre-season outlooks. We are still waiting for the Roosters to hit their straps and for the Dragons to bottom out, all the while opportunity is passing us by.
History says that ANZAC clashes are games in which the Roosters dominate their opponent, but given their inability to produce significant impact running the ball and their less than elite effort in defence in recent weeks it is difficult to back them in.
St George Illawarra are 5th in Linebreaks this season with swift ball movement on the edges seeing them get through defensive structures. That is exactly where Sydney have failed this season and where I see they will struggle to contain their opponent.
My expectation is that the Dragons will control the direction of the game through their ball movement even if it at times means they are doing it from their own end or through their defence. Sydney’s lack of attack and tryscoring opportunity will likely see them struggle to score points.
Take St George Illawarra on the Moneyline, Roosters to go Under their team total and Tyrell Sloan to continue his tryscoring form against a left edge defence that has allowed 41% of Roosters tries this season.
- Sydney are ranked 15th in Run Metres, 17th in Tackles in opposition 20m and 15th in Possession.
- The Roosters have failed to reach 22.5 points in 5 of 7 games this season, all losses.
- The Dragons are 5th in Linebreaks with 5.8 per game.
- Tyrell Sloan has scored 6 tries in 5 games including a double last weekend and matches up against a left side defence that allows the largest percentage of tries for the Roosters at 41%.
Head to Head
Sydney absolutely dominate the head to head record between these teams dating back to the start of 2019 winning 10 of 12 games played.
5 of those matchups have been ANZAC clashes with the Roosters 4-1 across the span. The corresponding game last season finished 60-18 to Sydney.
8 of 12 games played since 2019 have gone Over the Game Total including the last 5 straight. Of those 5 games, 3 have been with Winning Margins of 13+ points.
Sydney Roosters Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
| Last 5 W/L | Last 5 ATS | Last 5 O/U |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-4 |
The Roosters were unable to repeat their winning effort from Round 2 against the Panthers last weekend with the defending premiers winning 40-12. Sydney are now 2-5 on the season, sitting in 16th position on the ladder.
They were unable to make meaningful inroads against the Panthers, something they have struggled with all season as they rank 15th in Run Metres. They were once again ill-disciplined with the ball conceding 9 errors as well as 6 penalties during the game. The Roosters rank 15th in Opposition Possession rate pointing to the age old saying, you can’t win without the ball.
Hugo Savala has breathed a little bit of fresh air into the team since taking over from Chad Townsend at halfback but the team is lacking in consistency at both ends of the park which is notable in the scorelines this season.
2025 Betting Trends
| ATS | Over/Under | 1-12 | 13+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | 3-4 | 2-2 | 0-3 |
Sydney Roosters Team News
Dominic Young has been dropped with Billy Smith coming back into the team pushing Mark Nawaqanitawase to the wing. Nat Butcher is out injured which sees Spencer Leniu move to a starting front row spot. Egan Butcher makes his return via the interchange pushing Taylor Losalu to the reserves.
Angus Crichton was a late scratching last week and is back in the starting team with Salesi Foketi moving to the pine.
Sydney Roosters Team List
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Sandon Smith
7. Hugo Savala
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Connor Watson
10. Naufahu Whyte
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
Interchange
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Blake Steep
17. Egan Butcher
Reserves
18. Ethan King
19. Taylor Losalu
20. Chad Townsend
21. Dom Young
22. Makahesi Makatoa
St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
| Last 5 W/L | Last 5 ATS | Last 5 O/U |
|---|---|---|
| 3-2 | 3-2 | 2-3 |
The Dragons were tipped to be wooden spooners in pre-season markets but now sit at 7th on the ladder following their 20-18 win over the Sea Eagles last Thursday. It was a strong showing against a side that has the best home record of any team in the league over the past 5 seasons.
St George had to work for their win with their opposition dominating both possession and territory during the game, something that has happened often in their games so far this season. The Dragons missed only 24 tackles and had 6 linebreaks with Clint Gutherson and Tyrell Sloan creating and seeing a lot of space on the edges.
They rank 5th in the league in Linebreaks so far this season and are the 4th best defensive team on average points conceded.
2025 Betting Trends
| ATS | Over/Under | 1-12 | 13+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-3 | 3-3 | 2-3 | 1-0 |
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
The injuries to outside backs are stacking up for the Dragons with Mathew Feagai now out for a chunk of time following an ankle injury in the win v Manly. Sione Finau has been given the starting wing spot with journeyman Corey Allan also listed in the reserves.
Emre Guler is back from suspension on the interchange with David Klemmer retaining the starting front row spot. Hamish Stewart is progressing through concussion protocol.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Sione Finau
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Toby Couchman
9. Damien Cook
10. David Klemmer
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Jack de Belin
Interchange
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Blake Lawrie
16. Emre Guler
17. Dylan Egan
Reserves
18. Lyhkan King-Togia
19. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
20. Finau Latu
21. Corey Allan
22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8 FAQ’s
How to watch Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8?
You can watch the Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8?
To buy tickets to the Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Round 8 game check the NRL website or the official Sydney Roosters site.
Verdict
Take St George Illawarra on the Moneyline, Roosters to go Under their team total and Tyrell Sloan to continue his tryscoring form against a left edge defence that has allowed 41% of Roosters tries this season.
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