NRL Round 7 Preview - Bulldogs v Roosters @ ANZ Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters @ ANZ Stadium 
 
Preview - Old foes, the Bulldogs and the Roosters, clash at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night with both Clubs looking to find some momentum in their stuttering seasons. The Bulldogs produced their best performance of the season last week, with a comprehensive 27-10 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville off the back of a physical defensive display. The Roosters were embarrassed by their bitter rivals, the Rabbitohs, 26-14 in a game where they were split down the middle on far too many occasions, with a score line that flattered them in the end. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - Not surprisingly, Dean Pay has stuck with the same 17 players that got the job done against the Cowboys. Aaron Woods had by far his best game for the Club, and he and Dave Klemmer will fancy they can get on top of this Roosters’ pack. I have been very impressed with Jeremy Marshall King’s performances after battling away at the Tigers’ Reserve Grade for several years. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - Winger Reece Robinson has been dropped after a poor performance last week, with Joseph Manu shifting to the flank and Mitch Aubusson moving to centre. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves reverts to the bench after some indifferent form, with Zane Tetevano starting. Frank-Paul Nuuausala comes in for his first Roosters’ game since 2014. Sio Siua Taukeiaho is an outside chance of an early comeback from a knee injury after being named in the extended bench. 
 
Verdict - Roosters by 1-6

I'm really tempted to take the Bulldogs here, however the Roosters have tended to bounce back from horror shows already a few times this season. Both these sides are very hard to get a read on at the moment, with the Bulldogs performance last week more than capable of upsetting the Roosters here. Put simply, if the Roosters pack turn up like they did last week, the Bulldogs will dominate this game through the middle of the field. However, there is no doubt the Bulldogs struggled mightily in Round 2 containing the Roosters out wide, and the Roosters have far more threat all over the paddock. I expect the Roosters might scramble over the line to keep the wolves at bay for another week in terms of the pressure on them.