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The Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders are on the verge of the eight and will be looking to turn inconsistency into a win. Can the Wests Tigers get back in the winner’s circle or will the Raiders come back from a devastating one-point loss? Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
After a last start loss at the hands of the Sharks, the Wests Tigers are within reach of the top eight. They will be without Benji Marshall as they look to stay in the finals race with coach Ivan Cleary set to name former Redcliffe Dolphins star Tyson Gamble to make his NRL debut, shifting Josh Reynolds to hooker.
It would be a bold move which allows Brooks room to structure the Wests Tigers’ attack, Gamble to run off-the-cuff football and Reynolds to provide spark out of acting-half. The addition of Gamble could be just what the Wests Tigers need to finally inspire a mediocre attack.
The game plan then for the Wests Tigers should be to play quickly to get out of their own end at the beginning of the set and keep the Raiders on the back foot throughout the match.
The Raiders experienced another heartache in last week’s 23-22 loss at the hands of the Penrith Panthers.
Canberra will be looking to overcome their mental demons and dominate through the middle of the park with their big engine room.
Aidan Sezer will be required to organise their attack and will benefit from the possible inclusion of Josh Hodgson, returning from an ACL injury sustained during last year’s World Cup.
Hodgson’s return has seen Siliva Havili dropped to the bench while Jordan Rapana (hamstring) is replaced by Michael Oldfield.
The green machine will be under pressure to remain consistent throughout the whole 80 minutes, and if they earn an early lead, will be expected to maintain it to avoid another devastating last-minute loss.
Campbelltown Stadium has proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for the Raiders in the past, winning just two from nine fixtures since the turn of the century.
They have been slightly more fixture away from the Magpies’ old home base however with 15 wins from 33 matches against the Wests Tigers.
These two teams last met in Round 3 last year, the Raiders won 46-6 in the nation’s capital.
Prediction
The Wests Tigers will deliver a win at home in a close battle between two teams battling for a spot in the top eight.
Wests Tigers by 4.
Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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