Illawarra Dragons vs. Sydney Roosters Preview by Dean McHugh

The ANZAC Day Cup is a fixture steeped in history. The St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters always play one another on or around April 25th to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This tradition has been around since 2002 and is fiercely competitive, with 12 victories for the Dragons and 10 for the Roosters.

In the 2024 season, the two teams are also separated by very little, kept apart by two points. The Dragons, however, come in off the back of two straight victories, whereas the Roosters have just one in their last four games. The smart money here would be to go with the formbook and back a Dragons victory. 

Anzac Day clashes rarely follow a script, and this one looks tight again. Our NRL Expert Tips start with the numbers: the Dragons lead the series 12-10, and the two sides sit just two points apart this season. The Dragons arrive with two straight wins, while the Roosters have managed only one from their last four. That form shapes the NRL betting odds, but the Roosters have a habit of lifting for this fixture. When weighing up NRL betting predictions, watch the forward battle and early completion rates, because games like this usually turn in the first twenty minutes. Always gamble responsibly.