3 minute read
Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors will be fighting to keep their top-eight hopes alive when they clash at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.
The race to play finals is tight and both the Raiders and the Warriors have work to do if they are to extend their seasons.
Canberra are in 11th spot on the ladder, just two points away from the eight, but are priced at 10.00 to force their way in.
The Warriors, who are one place and one point below the Raiders, can be backed at 3.60 to make the eight.
Thursday night's clash in the nation's capital is huge for both sides, and neither can afford to lose.
It is the perfect way to kick off week 20 of another exciting NRL season.
. What: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors
. Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
. When: 20:00 (AEST), Friday 19th July 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Canberra Raiders 2.00, New Zealand Warriors 1.82
Raiders struggle on home soil
The Raiders saw their top-eight hopes suffer a setback as they went down to a four-point defeat against Newcastle Knights in their last game.
They have had the bye since then, so have had the chance to lick their wounds and rest up ahead of a return to action.
Canberra are desperate for a win and will need to sort out their form at GIO Stadium if they are to play finals.
The defeat against the Knights was their fourth on the bounce on home soil and they need to stop the rot against the Warriors.
Ricky Stuart's men have lost the last two games against the Warriors, but both were away from home and both were close encounters.
If it is to be another close one on Friday night, the Raiders can be backed at 3.50 to win the game by 1-12 points.
Fullback Kaeo Weekes will be key to their chances after scoring five tries in the last six games, and he will be out to add to that tally.
Warriors wait on Barnett
The Warriors also had a week off due to the bye, and just like the Raiders, they also need to bounce back from a defeat.
A golden-point defeat against Canterbury Bulldogs will have been hard to take, but they have had time to get it out of the system and will be fired up to go again.
The Warriors have been struggling with injuries but there is some good news as try-scoring winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been given the all-clear to return from a head knock and should start.
Marcelo Montoya has also recovered from a groin injury and is likely to take his place at fullback.
Coach Andrew Webster will also have to see how Mitch Barnett goes in State of Origin on Wednesday night, before deciding if the forward is ready to play.
The Warriors do have a good record against the Raiders winning four of the last five games against them.
They are priced at 3.60 to keep that good run going by winning by 13+ points.
Watene-Zelezniak has also scored five tries in the last seven games against the Raiders and is sure to be a huge threat once again.