The Tigers look to solidify their position in the NRL\u2019s top four as they host the Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval this Thursday.<\/p>\n
Wests have had an uncharacteristically strong start to the season, winning four of their six matches to sit third on the ladder. They come into this clash off the back of a one-point loss to the Broncos last week, despite dominating most metrics.<\/p>\n
The Raiders have had a rockier start, losing four straight between Rounds 2 and 5. Wins over the Rabbitohs and Storm in the past two weeks have got things back on track.<\/p>\n
Canberra are priced as underdogs here, but there\u2019s good reason to believe they can continue their momentum.<\/p>\n
The Raiders have won their last three at Leichhardt Oval and 10 of their last 11 overall against the Tigers. Benji Marshall\u2019s side simply aren\u2019t used to playing as favourites, which makes them hard to trust in this spot.<\/p>\n
Throw in a reshuffled backline for Wests and some concerns around their ability to finish against the Broncos, and Canberra at the price looks the play.<\/p>\n
This shapes as a bit of a grind.<\/p>\n
Four of the last six meetings between these sides have seen neither team crack 30 points, including the last two. This season, the Tigers have passed 30 just three times, while Canberra have done so once.<\/p>\n
With Hudson Young suspended and Josh Papalii out, it\u2019s hard to see this turning into a high-scoring game.<\/p>\n
Bula has had no trouble finding the line in 2026, scoring in each of the last four rounds.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s especially dangerous at Leichhardt, with seven tries in his last eight games at the ground.<\/p>\n
With the workrate he\u2019s showing, he should get his chances again here.<\/p>\n