NRL Round 11 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters @ ANZ Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview  - Two old and bitter Sydney rivals clash here as the Bulldogs host the Roosters at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday. Both sides have build up a big rivalry over the years with plenty of players having crossed the divide which has only added to the rivalry and mutual hatred the Clubs show for each other. The Roosters showed everyone in the competition they mean business last week with a crushing 48-10 demolition of Parramatta at Allianz Stadium to make it 7 victories from 10 to start the season. After a month where their attack had gone off the boil, the Roosters showed their full artillery of weapons last week as they ran the Eels ragged. The Bulldogs were far less impressive in their disappointing 30-14 defeat. The Bulldogs never really got going in the conditions as their new look halves pairing of Matt Frawley and Moses Mbye failed to fire as they dropped to 5-5 and sitting just inside the Top 8 after 10 rounds. 
 
History - The Roosters have had the wood on the Bulldogs over the past 5 years, having won 7 of the past 10 contests. Earlier this season back in Round 2 the Roosters held on for a tight 28-24 victory at Allianz Stadium. Last season though, the Bulldogs won both encounters as the Roosters endured a really torrid season finishing in 15th spot. Overall, during their long and storied rivalry, the Roosters hold a slender advantage with 85 victories, 80 defeats and 5 draws against the Bulldogs. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - Craig Garvey has joined the Bulldogs bench with Marcelo Montoya dropping back to Reserve Grade. Will Hopoate is one player who will now be available on Sunday for the first time, saving his Bulldogs’ career. Hopoate has been outstanding in the past month at fullback as he looks to secure his future beyond this season, with him coming off contract at the end of the season. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters have named the same side to the one that blitzed the Eels last weekend. Centre Latrell Mitchell returned with a bang, scoring 2 tries and running the ball strongly on several carries. Joseph Manu is another young, really talented centre at the Roosters, and he has made the position his own since coming into the side a few rounds into the competition. 
 
Verdict - Roosters by 10-18 going away in the 2nd half
 
Really, on class, the Roosters should win this game comfortably. They have, by far, a better spine than the Bulldogs who continue to struggle to put points on the scoreboard. The fact this is a rivalry game, and there has been some rain around Sydney, means I think the Bulldogs can keep this game relatively close and try and drag the Roosters into a grinding, war of attrition played through the forwards. However, after their attack clicked into gear last week, I see the Roosters getting on another roll now, and they should have too many weapons for the Bulldogs. I think the Bulldogs will compete for 40 minutes, but I expect the Roosters to win by 2-3 tries.