Rugby League
2025-06-01 - Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders
A Sports Betting Pick by Stu
Rugby League : Australia : NRL
Sunday 1st June 2025 - KO 1815 AEST
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters delivered one of their most complete performances of the season last week, running riot against the Cronulla Sharks, winning comfortably 42-16 despite missing five players to Origin duty. That result showcased the club’s depth and drive to make the finals after a very poor start to the season where the Roosters went 1-4 though the opening 5 rounds. Sydney have moved up to 11th 5-6, on equal points 4 other teams and are certainly a team on the up.
Coach Trent Robinson has named all five Origin representatives—Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Rob Toia, Lindsay Collins, and Angus Crichton—to back up, pending fitness tests. Their return is huge for a side already brimming with confidence, having scored 20 points or more in their last 4 matches.
James Tedesco who is great individual form, leads a backline that includes the in-form Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase. While the halves pairing of Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala continues to grow with time together and their own performances are definitely on the up as well.
Sydney Roosters Team News – the 5 origin players listed above return and Dom Young goes to 18th man.
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders are also riding high after a gritty 16-10 win over the Warriors in wet conditions in Auckland. That victory pushed them into second place on the ladder 9-3 and underlined their ability to win ugly and grind out results in hostile environments like Mt Smart stadium, something that needs to be replicated at Allianz this weekend.
Coach Ricky Stuart welcomes back Hudson Young from Origin duty, Young had a great Origin, certainly his best performance in a Blue jersey. The Raiders’ forward pack, led by Joseph Tapine and Corey Horsburgh, will be key to matching the Roosters physicality.
Manly bound in 2026, Jamal Fogarty continues to steer the side well from halfback, while young winger Savelio Tamale has emerged as a breakout star, scoring in six of his 12 appearances and ranking among the league leaders in tackle breaks and line breaks.
Canberra Raiders Team News – Owen Pattie replaces Tom Starling who is suspended. Hudson Young will back up from Origin, Danny Levi comes on to the bench for his first game of the season.
Odds
The bookies are struggling to see a clear winner in this one, Canberra slightly ahead $1.95 to $1.87, the line a measly 1.5 points and total points is 46.5
The Betting Verdict
The Round 13 NRL clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium is shaping up as a high-stakes showdown between two in-form sides. And with both teams coming off impressive Round 12 wins, you can expect they will be looking to solidify their top-eight credentials in what promises to be a physical and fast-paced contest.
Head-to-Head has the Roosters comfortably ahead, 29-17 and the ground stats are even more in favour of the home side, Sydney 64% at home while the Raiders a woeful 5-20.
The Raiders edged the Roosters 14-12 in their last meeting at Allianz Stadium in the second to last round of the 2024 season, Sydney scoring a try right at the death only to miss the conversion to take the match to golden point. That win was built on defensive grit and composure under pressure—qualities they’ll need again against a Roosters side that’s found its attacking rhythm over the past 6 weeks or so.
The Roosters odds have shortened following their dominant 42-16 win over Cronulla in Round 12, despite missing five Origin players. With those stars named to back up, bookmakers are still leaning towards Canberra to take this out away from home. The Raiders, will take a lot from their gritty win over the Warriors and need to defend very well to stop a potent attacking unit from Sydney.
The Roosters attacking depth, home-ground advantage, and the return of their Origin stars give them the edge. While the Raiders are tough and disciplined, they may struggle to match the Roosters pace and strike power over 80 minutes, that combined with a terrible record at this ground makes the Roosters to win the best option here.
The Pick :
Sydney Roosters 26 – 18 Canberra Raiders
