NRL Round 12 Preview Prediction - Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - The Raiders will be looking to surge into the Top 8 and make it back-to-back victories when they take on an understrength Roosters side at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Sunday afternoon. The Raiders finally won a close game last week, coming from 16-10 down early in the 2nd half to beat the Eels 22-16 at ANZ Stadium, to get to 5-6 and stay in touch with the Top 8 as we reach the midway point in the competition this week. The Roosters registered their 8th win from 11 starts this season with a close 24-16 victory over bitter rivals, the Bulldogs, to comfortably remain in the Top 4. The Roosters threatened to blow the Bulldogs away, leading 20-6 at halftime, before a 2nd half fight-back saw the Bulldogs get within 2 points, before a late try to Mitchell Pearce sealed the game for the tri-colours.
 
History - These sides have traded wins over the past 7 games with the home side winning on each occasion. The sides have not met since Round 2 last season when a late field goal to Sam Williams sealed a 21-20 victory for the Raiders. The Raiders have won the past 3 clashes against the Roosters in Canberra, however each of those games has been decided by 4 points or less. Overall the Roosters hold the advantage having won 32 games compared to the Raiders 26. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - With Josh Papali named to start in the back row for the Maroons on Wednesday night, Ricky Stuart brings in the experienced Sia Soliola to start in the back row in his place. That means Luke Bateman wins back a spot on the interchange bench. The Raiders’ forwards have not quite been at their best this year, however they managed to match Parramatta for physicality last week and will fancy getting on top of a Roosters’ forward pack missing a couple of big names this week. 
 
Sydney Roosters Scouting Report - The Roosters are missing 5 of their biggest names through State of Origin with Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Pearce, Dylan Napa, Boyd Cordner and Aiden Guerra all playing on Wednesday night. The talented Connor Watson gets an opportunity to impress starting in the halves after he has had to be content with 10-15 minute cameos from the bench so far this season. Kane Evans, Ryan Matterson and Zane Tetevano are all named in the starting pack of the Roosters and will have a big task ahead of them against a big and imposing Raiders’ pack. 
 
Verdict - Raiders by 10-20 in a high scoring game

I think the Raiders will win this game at home, and win it fairly comfortably. I just think Mitchell Pearce is such a controller of the Roosters whole game plan that they will struggle without him, despite the injection of eneregy with Connor Watson. I just think this game is way too important for the Raiders to drop, whilst the Roosters can afford a loss or two and still be sitting relatively pretty on the ladder. I expect, given this game is an afternoon game in Canberra, that it will be very high scoring and I think the Raiders can rack up 30 points if they get their attack into gear.