NRL: Bulldogs push for top-four spot

Canterbury Bulldogs are still in with a shout of making the top four as they prepare to face Manly Sea Eagles on Friday night.

The Bulldogs have not played finals since 2016 and finishing in the top four would be a huge achievement if they can pull it off.

They sit two points behind the Panthers so have to win their last two games to have a chance of making it. The Bulldogs can be backed at 4.00 to make the top four.

Manly have locked in their place in the top eight and will play finals for the first time since 2021.

But after a shock loss to the Tigers they need to bounce back and build some momentum heading into the business end of the season.

The Sea Eagles are priced at 21.00 to go all the way and win the grand final.

. What: Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles
. Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney
. When: 18:00 (AEST), Friday 30th August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Canterbury Bulldogs 1.58, Manly Sea Eagles 2.40

Bulldogs on a roll

The Bulldogs are hitting form at just the right time after winning the last five games on the bounce and will be keen to keep the good times rolling.

Two more wins could give them a chance of making the top four, so another two points against the Sea Eagles is a must.

The Bulldogs do not have a great record against the Sea Eagles in recent seasons, but they are a different animal these days and will fancy their chances on home soil.

Cameron Ciraldo’s men have won their last seven games at Accor Stadium, and can be backed at 2.90 to win the game by 13+ points.

They will have to do it without Kurt Mann, who will be missing for the rest of the season after picking up a serious injury, while Stephen Crichton is suspended.

The Bulldogs do have strength in depth Jacob Kiraz will switch to centre to cover Crichton, with Jeral Skelton starting on the wing.

Kiraz has seven tries in the last seven games and is 2.60 to score at anytime.

Sea Eagles look to bounce back

Manly suffered a surprise 34-26 defeat against the struggling Wests Tigers at the weekend and need to bounce back in the next two games.

After the Bulldogs clash they face the Cronulla Sharks, so it could be the ideal preparation for finals football if they step up to the plate and perform.

They have won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Bulldogs, but Friday night is likely to be their toughest test yet.

Even so they can be backed at 7.00 to spring a surprise and win the game by 1-5 points.

Tom Trbojevic will be a key player as always. The gun fullback has 12 tries in the past six games against the Bulldogs and is 2.45 to grab another at anytime.

The Sea Eagles are also boosted by the return on Tommy Talau from a pectoral injury, and the centre is 3.20 to score at anytime.