Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders Prediction – Round 16 2025

Fresh off their first bye of the season, the Canberra Raiders will be raring to go when they travel to face the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night.

Despite losing this fixture last year, The Raiders are flying in 2025 and enter this clash as heavy favourites in the head-to-head market.

They’ve won four straight and nine of their past 10, with the latest a resounding 36-12 triumph over the Rabbitohs which keeps them right behind the ladder-leading Bulldogs.

The Tigers also had the bye last week, giving Benji Marshall extra time to assess his troops after they fell 18-14 to Penrith. In an inverse of the Raiders form, Wests have lost four straight and as a result will begin Round 16 simultaneously two points out of the top eight and away from the wooden spoon.

There’s plenty of returning cavalry for the home side with Fonua Pole, Alex Twal and Tallyn Da Silva all back for the Tigers, while debutant Jed Stuart replaces injured Raiders’ winger Savelio Tamale.

Below you can find the full team lists for both sides, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Tigers vs Raiders prediction.

 

Tigers vs Raiders Teams

 

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Adam Doueihi

4. Starford To'a

5. Jeral Skelton

6. Heath Mason

7. Jarome Luai

8. Terrell May

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. Fonua Pole

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Alex Seyfarth

13. Alex Twal

14. Tallyn Da Silva

15. Sione Fainu

16. Latu Fainu

17. Jack Bird

 

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Jed Stuart

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Seb Kris

5. Xavier Savage

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papalii

9. Tom Starling

10. Joe Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Zac Hosking

13. Corey Horsburgh

14. Owen Pattie

15. Simi Sasagi

16. Morgan Smithies

17. Ata Mariota

Tigers vs Raiders Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

Despite being called into NSW camp at the last minute to replace the injured Mitchell Moses, Jarome Luai has still been named to start in this game. Will he actually play though?

With this game on Friday night, that gives Luai less than two full days to recover from what should be a bruising battle out West.

We doubt there are enough ice baths and electrolytes in the world to have him ready to go in time and against a red-hot and fully rested Raiders side currently sitting second, his potential omission might be too much for the timid Tigers to overcome.

Betting tip: Canberra Raiders.

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

Big Papa to run it back? Who can forget Josh Papali’i’s most recent appearance in the NRL? Before the Raiders had their bye Papali’i became the Raiders all-time games record holder with 319 appearances.

That milestone alone apparently wasn’t enough for the big man, who crossed for a double and even slotted a conversion to mark the occasion.

His second four-pointer had Ricky Stuart in tears on the sideline and who can blame him, they were truly unbelievable scenes.

Well, we think there’s more to come this week from Papa. He’s got a starting spot this week, so if there was ever a time for him to cross first, it’s now.

Betting tip: Josh Papali’i.

 

Over/Under Prediction

Each of Canberra's last six matches as a favourite have gone over the total match points line and the Tigers aren’t exactly known for their defensive capabilities. We’ll be taking the overs here.

Betting tip: Over total match points.

Tigers vs Raiders Match Details

 

Date: Friday, June 20, 2025.

Kick-off: 8:00pm AEST.

Location: Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney.