Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins Verdict
The Roosters are chasing the minor premiership but face a tough opponent in the shape of the Dolphins, who are backed to stay within the +5.5 line. They do tend to start slowly so Sydney to get ahead early is the best bet along with over 46.5 total points in the game.
- Dolphins have won their last five games
- Dolphins have covered a +5.5 line in all four games vs top four teams this season
- Dolphins have a 3-0 record in Sydney this season
- Dolphins rank last in the first 20 minutes of games this season
- The last four meetings have seen 58+ total points
- Herbie Farnworth has scored 1+ try in his last 10 games vs top four teams
- Farnworth has scored 1+ try in two of his last three appearances vs Roosters
Roosters vs Dolphins Head To Head
The Roosters have dominated this H2H for the most part, winning four of the last five meetings, but it was the Phins who came away with a big 48-10 victory in the most-recent clash.
Sydney Roosters Form
The Panthers Hangover strikes again.
The Roosters were flying on an eight-match winning streak, the last of which was a brilliant 12-6 victory over the Panthers.
However, the level of effort and exertion - both mentally and physically - it takes to grind down the Panthers in a defensive-oriented game takes its toll.
It was the biggest upset of the season by odds and pre-match line, but it really shouldn't have come as too much of a shock that the Roosters were flat against the Tigers.
Trent Robinson's side left their run too late and they were ultimately pipped 25-24 by a Jock Madden field goal. It leaves the Chooks needing to win one of their final two games to confirm a top four spot.
Dolphins Form
Could the Phins be the first team to break the '50-point curse' and win the premiership in 2026?
Incredibly, the Dolphins have conceded 52 points to Manly and 66 to Cronulla this season, but they remain inside the top four heading into Round 26, winning 13 of their last 15 games.
Clearly the Phins are guilty of throwing in an absolutely abysmal performance here and there - and as touched upon earlier, their slow starts need an urgent fix - but when they get it right, their attack is the most electric in the competition and capable of beating anyone.
They've been far from perfect - and they needed to come from behind early again vs the Eels last week before running away 34-16 winners - but the Phins have momentum and no side will want to face them in the finals.
Team News
James Tedesco has been named to return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for three games, while Victor Radley is out with a head knock, with Taylor Losalu coming onto the bench.
Kristian Woolf has stuck solid with the same team that beat the Eels last week.