New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders Prediction: Look forward to an entertaining week 21 fixture

The New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders will play each other at Mt. Smart Stadium to start off Friday's action in the National Rugby League. The two teams are one of the most fantastic and unexpected sides this season, and heading into this match, they will aim to be at their best. However, in a game that both teams ought to be aiming to win, will the underdogs, the Raiders, be able to pull off an upset against the favorites, the Warriors, or will the Warriors be able to win?

New Zealand Warriors - Warriors should take full advantage of home turf

Five of the New Zealand Warriors' most recent six matches have ended in victories for the team, including a round 15 victory by a score of 36-14 over the Canberra Raiders. The New Zealand Warriors defeated the formidable Cronulla Sharks by a score of 44-12 in their most recent encounter, which is evidence that they are more than capable of competing with any elite team given their recent level of play and the results they have been getting. The first half of a match that ended with identical half scores ended with a score of 22-6, and the second half ended with a score that was comparable. Additionally, the final score of 44-12 became their opponent's second-worst loss of the season, and it established New Zealand as a legitimate contender for a spot in the top four. The two wingers for New Zealand Warriors, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Marcelo Montoya, have combined for 23 tries so far in 2023, which places them in the top three of the league. Marata Niukore is available to play in this match after serving his suspension, and Bunty Afoa is healthy enough to return to the starting lineup after missing time with an injury. Because of the return of these two players, Mitch Barnett and Tom Ale have been moved back into the interchange position, and Josh Curran and Bayley Sironen have been moved to the reserves.

Canberra Raiders - Raiders’ run can be well extended

After receiving all three byes, the Canberra Raiders are currently in fourth place on the NRL leaderboard after winning five of their most recent six games, propelling them up the standings. The only time the Canberra Raiders have been defeated since round 13 was at home against the New Zealand Warriors in round 15, and it was a game in which they came out on the losing end of the struggle for run meters and line breaks. Recent victories for this team include a road victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons by a score of 26-36, a victory over the Gold Coast Titans by a score of 26-22 in a match that was rather close, and a victory over the Sydney Roosters by a score that was easier than expected. The forward combo of Josh Papalii and Pasami Saulo are both back in the 17 for Canberra ahead of this encounter, and Corey Horsburgh returns from his duty with the State of Origin. In order to make room for Matt Frawley on the roster, Peter Hola and Trey Mooney have been moved to the reserves.

Head-Head Highlights

Since the commencement of the 2019 season, the Warriors and the Raiders have competed against one another nine times. However, the New Zealand Warriors have won two of the last three games, including the matchup that took place earlier this year and ended with a score of 36-14. It's interesting to note that the side playing away from home has prevailed in six of the previous nine head-to-head matches. The New Zealand Warriors had the best record in the NRL against the spread at home this season, going 6-3. In round 15, despite having two players sent to the sin bin throughout the game, the New Zealand Warriors were still able to defeat the Raiders by a score of 36 points. The New Zealand Warriors have won their past five games by an average of 40.8 points. Over the course of their last six contests, the Canberra Raiders have surrendered an average of 24.5 points per game to their opponents. Marcelo Montoya has scored four tries in the last four games he's played, and he lines up on the side of the field opposite the Raiders' edge, which concedes 38 percent of the team's opponents' tries.

Expert Betting Tips

Because the New Zealand Warriors are in such terrific form right now, they should have no issue completing the season series sweep of the Canberra Raiders, despite the fact that the return games nearly always end up being closer than the first game. As a result of the two teams' respective runs leading up to this competition, we can anticipate a lot of offensive play in this game. Also, both teams will be seeking to add another victory to their record. Therefore, a wager on the over.