Warriors vs Dragons Round 26 Tips, Predictions & Preview

Andrew Hendrie: Aug 25, 2023

New Zealand Warriors are aiming for seven consecutive wins for the first time since 2002 when they play host to the St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday night.

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons free NRL Round 26 predictions & betting tips by NRL experts – Dragons have lost all 11 of their away games this season…

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons H2H Prediction

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Tips

Best Warriors -5.5 & Over 42.5 total points odds $1.75 with bet365

Warriors are on a six-game winning streak
Dragons have lost all 11 away games this season
Warriors have seen 46+ points in seven of their last nine games
Dragons have seen 48+ points in five of their last six games vs top five teams
Warriors beat Dragons 48-18 earlier this season
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 19 tries in his last 12 games
Mikaele Ravalawa has scored 11 tries in his last seven games
Shaun Johnson has scored a try in three of his last four games vs Dragons

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Same Game Multi Tips

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Match Details

🇦🇺 Competition: NRL
🗓 Date: Friday August 25
⏰ Time: 6.00pm AEST
🏟 Stadium: Go Media Stadium (Auckland)

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Head to Head

23/6/23: Dragons 18-48 Warriors
21/5/22: Dragons 24-18 Warriors
12/3/22: Warriors 16-28 Dragons
2/7/21: Warriors 18-19 Dragons
18/4/21: Dragons 14-20 Warriors

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction

The Warriors will be hopeful of locking down a top four spot when they entertain the lowly Dragons on Friday night in Auckland.

It’s been an outstanding season for the Warriors, who come into this clash on the back of nine wins from their last 10 games, while they are targeting seven victories on the bounce for the first time since 2002 – the year they made he Grand Final.

Another win here would secure a top four spot and a second chance in the finals. The Warriors will want to tidy up their defence here though – they’ve leaked 22 points to the Tigers and Sea Eagles over the last fortnight, two of the teams that have struggled in attack in 2023.

The form of winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been electric – he’s scored 19 tries in his last 12 games and will be a huge threat out wide again.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have suffered through another nightmare season, but should avoid the wooden spoon but for a Tigers miracle.

Away form has once again been atrocious from the Dragons, with the team losing all 11 games they’ve played on the road this season.

St George Illawarra have been competitive over the last month however, with their biggest losing margin since July 7 being 10 points (vs Storm & Raiders).

VERDICT

The Warriors are on fire and should confirm their top four status with another big win in Auckland against a Dragons side that are winless on the road this season.

We’ll back the Warriors to cover a small -5.5 line with Over 42.5 total points, which has landed in five of their last six games, while the Warriors also beat the Dragons 48-18 earlier this season (Best Warriors -5.5 & Over 42.5 total points odds $1.75 with bet365.)

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Teams

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Edward Kosi 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Kalani Going

Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Max Feagai 21. Sione Finau 22. Jaiyden Hunt