Sydney Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs

dogs+8.5
this should be a close game so 8 looks a massive start for in from doggies.
roosters didnt really get started in the last match with manly as the sea eagles super goal defence shut them right out of the game. it was always going to be tight but not scoring a try at home is never great for confidence even if it was a very intense match. thats not to say the side have struggled they crushed eels here and also won a terrific match at brisbane. their first game was a defeat to souths so the records 2-2.
dogs were very good in that 2nd half last week taking apart a pretty strong melbourne team. they really played the conditions so well- it was heavy rain- and the forecast suggests more of the same dismal weather for this fixture.
i like their forwards id say they have as much power as anyone but the little guys are getting better all the time and after a bad start when they couldnt score against brisbane their attack is getting stronger and playing with more confidence. hodkinson has been superb finding the right pass every time. dogs have the same 2-2 record as roosters but will feel they should have the taken the points in penrith and switched off in the final few moments of that one.
rain should suit the dogs so with a tough physical battle expected, and a lower scoring game, 8 points seems a big start when both these sides have been decent or slightly above average in the first month but nothing more than that.
dogs+8.5 with betfred at 1.80