<p>The Canberra Raiders will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the ladder when they welcome the St George Illawarra Dragons to GIO Stadium on Saturday.</p> <p>Currently on a six-game winning streak that has been full of hard-fought and thrilling wins, the Raiders have gone from: projected cannon fodder, to surprise packets, to genuine contenders in the space of 17 rounds.</p> <p>Now, in round 18, the Dragons will attempt to avoid becoming their latest victims, something that is certainly easier said than done.</p> <p>Still, St George enter this one off the back of a win and will be hoping to gain some momentum from their attack display against the Eels, even if their defensive efforts still left a lot to be desired.</p> <p>Attack wins games but defence wins premierships as they say. Can the Raiders go on to win the premiership this season? Perhaps. But let’s just focus on this game for now.</p> <p>Here’s how both sides will line up for this one, as well as betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Raiders vs Dragons prediction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Raiders vs Dragons Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Canberra Raiders Team List</h3> <p>1. Kaeo Weekes</p> <p>2. Jed Stuart</p> <p>3. Matthew Timoko</p> <p>4. Seb Kris</p> <p>5. Xavier Savage</p> <p>6. Ethan Strange</p> <p>7. Jamal Fogarty</p> <p>8. Corey Horsburgh</p> <p>9. Tom Starling</p> <p>10. Joe Tapine</p> <p>11. Simi Sasagi</p> <p>12. Zac Hosking</p> <p>13. Morgan Smithies</p> <p>14. Owen Pattie</p> <p>15. Noah Martin</p> <p>16. Trey Mooney</p> <p>17. Ata Mariota</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St George Illawarra Dragons Team List</h3> <p>1. Clint Gutherson</p> <p>2. Sione Finau</p> <p>3. Moses Suli</p> <p>4. Corey Allan</p> <p>5. Tyrell Sloan</p> <p>6. Lyhkan King-Togia</p> <p>7. Kyle Flanagan</p> <p>8. Emre Guler</p> <p>9. Damien Cook</p> <p>10. David Klemmer</p> <p>11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner</p> <p>12. Jaydn Su'A</p> <p>13. Jack de Belin</p> <p>14. Jacob Liddle</p> <p>15. Loko Pasifiki Tonga</p> <p>16. Hame Sele</p> <p>17. Michael Molo</p>

<h2>Raiders vs Dragons Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Ricky’s Raiders have rolled right to the top of the standings after last round, which saw them win a thriller and the Bulldogs lose one.</p> <p>Those two results have finally seen the Doggies usurped from first, a place they’ve held nearly all season long.</p> <p>Getting to the top of the mountain is one thing, staying there is another. The first team looking to knock the Green Machine from their newfound perch is the Dragons, who will visit GIO Stadium on Saturday evening.</p> <p>The Dragons are coming off a rare win, albeit against the lowly Eels, and will be looking to build off the back of that.</p> <p>Origin won’t play too much a factor here either, which is surprising considering Canberra are the form team in the competition.</p> <p>Still, only two of their players have been called up, both forwards – Hudson Young and Josh Papali’i.</p> <p>While the Dragons are only missing Val Holmes, we’re not giving them much hope on the road against the rampaging Raiders.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Canberra Raiders.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>Young livewire Kaeo Weekes seems to have found his place at fullback for the Raiders after stints elsewhere in this side, such as stand off and even a utility role.</p> <p>With the number one on his back the 23-year-old has been able to get the most out his ballplaying, electric speed and try scoring prowess.</p> <p>He crossed for a tidy four-pointer last start and we’re backing him to cross for another here and to do it before anyone else.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Kaeo Weekes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Safe, consistent and assured. That appears to be the Green Machine in 2025 whenever they play in front of their own.</p> <p>They are content to keep picking up wins with no thrills, intelligent footy. That also means that each of Canberra's last four home matches have gone over the total match points line.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points.</p>

<h2>Raiders vs Dragons Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 5, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 5:30pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> GIO Stadium, Canberra.&nbsp;</p>