Wests Tigers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Prediction: Expect a close encounter

The round 6 NRL encounter between Wests Tigers and St. George Illawarra Dragons will take place at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Leading up to this match, the chances of winning for both teams are evenly matched. Who will emerge victorious between these two sides?

The absence of young talent Lachie Galvin was clearly felt by the Wests Tigers in their 26-16 loss to the Dolphins last week. Despite having more possession and territory than their opponents, the Tigers managed only three tries out of 39 tackles inside the Dolphins' 20-meter zone. Galvin's presence typically adds flair and control to the Tigers' attack, qualities they missed and will miss again this week.

Nevertheless, Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers are in a much stronger position in 2024 compared to the past few seasons, boasting a 2-3 record to start the year. While their attack could benefit from more structure and additional weapons, their defense has improved significantly, especially when comparing their average points conceded per game of 26.4 in the first five rounds of last season to the 20 points per game in 2024.

Unfortunately, John Bateman and Samuela Fainu failed their HIA's and are replaced by Alex Seyfarth in the second row, while Justin Mamamua and Asu Kepaoa take their places on the interchange bench. Bud Sullivan fills in at five-eighth in the absence of Lachie Galvin, who is still suspended. Jake Simpkin returns to the bench to cover for the injured Latu Fainu.

Despite securing a couple of early wins this season, Shane Flanagan has expressed public dissatisfaction with his team's performances. The St. George Illawarra Dragons particularly struggled in harsh conditions last week against the Newcastle Knights, enduring a 30-10 loss in monsoon weather.

Consistency has been a persistent issue for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, not only this season but over the past few seasons where they have faced significant challenges. While there are glimpses of brilliance, the team has struggled with defensive lapses, leading to questions about effort and belief within the club and among the players.

To address the lineup, Hame Sele will start up front, with Jack de Belin moving to the bench and Michael Molo dropping out of the 17. Otherwise, there are no other changes made by Shane Flanagan.

Expect a low-scoring affair lacking in flair and excitement, so consider backing either team to win by 10 points or less and taking the under on the 42.5-point game total. Despite the bookies favoring the Tigers by 1.5 points, there's little to separate these teams in reality, and arguments could be made for either side to secure a victory, especially considering the home advantage for the Wests Tigers.