GIO Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 7 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday April 16, 2023 at 2:00 pm

Where: GIO Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Canberra Raiders vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Canberra Raiders vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

Canberra is looking to consolidate after turning around a dismal start to 2023 with one of the biggest upsets of the season so far, while St George Illawarra has again been pitched into a unwelcome spotlight after a loss.

The 2-4 Raiders responded to leaking 53 points at home to Penrith with a stoic 20-14 victory over previously unbeaten Brisbane on the road.

Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii and Corey Horsburgh stood tall for a side missing marquee duo Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine, who both return this week.

Veteran Jarrod Croker’s return was a spiritual shot in the arm for the Raiders, while Nick Cotric is back in time to replace the injured Jordan Rapana this week.

The 2-3 Dragons temporarily eased the pressure on coach Anthony Griffin with a dominant 38-12 win over the Dolphins in Wollongong in Round 5.

But getting run down 20-18 at the death on the Gold Coast has ramped up speculation that ‘Hook’ is destined for the axe.

No team in the NRL gets more of a proportion of its constructive play from one player as the Dragons do Ben Hunt.

There’s too many holes in the Saints’ roster for them to be consistently competitive, though, and the loss of Francis Molo and Mikaele Ravalawa (with Zane Musgrove and Tautatu Moga coming in) will be felt.

The Raiders have won five of their last seven against the Dragons. Last season’s series was shared, the Saints grabbing a wildly controversial 12-10 win in Wollongong in Round 16 before the Raiders bounced back 24-22 in Canberra six weeks later despite the absence of their suspended coach.

Only two of their last 10 encounters were decided by more than eight points. Meanwhile, the Dragons are chasing their first win in the capital since 2015.

Buoyed by last week’s valiant result and with the Saints’ tumult continuing, the Raiders should be able to grind out another two points on Sunday.

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