Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Round 27 Match Preview

⏰ 2 September 2023 - 15:00 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Suncorp Stadium

The Redcliffe Dolphins will host the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday night in a clash between the NRL's newest franchise and one of its most established. The match between the Dolphins and Warriors will kick off at 7 pm AEST on 02/09/2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Based on odds compiled from 3 Australian betting sites, the bookies have installed Redcliffe as a solid $1.70 favourite to beat the Warriors on home soil.

In their inaugural NRL season, the Dolphins will look to please their home fans by downing the seasoned Warriors outfit. This shapes as an intriguing contest between the league's newest club and one of its foundation teams.

The Warriors will be aiming for eight wins on the bounce for just the second time ever when they face the struggling Dolphins on Saturday arvo.

It's been a tremendous season for the Warriors, who have won seven straight to lock up a top-four spot and double chance in the finals. The Warriors can seal third with a win, but could slip to fourth if they lose and the Storm beat Brisbane tonight.

Unsurprisingly, the Warriors have opted to rest a stack of stars, with Shaun Johnson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Wayde Egan, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake all sitting out. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have faded badly after a bright start, losing 10 of their past 11 matches.

It was always on the cards with the Dolphins lacking depth and a proper first-grade list for their debut season. Wayne Bennett will be hoping his side can grind out a win in their final game of 2023 against a Warriors team clearly focused on next week.

Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors Head-to-Head

Having only entered the NRL this season, the Redcliffe Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors have very limited head-to-head history between them. The clubs have met just once previously, with the Warriors claiming a win in that solitary matchup. With only a single game played between the teams over the past 8 years, neither side has been able to establish any period of dominance over the other. Their minimal head-to-head record means this looms as an intriguing clash between the NRL's newest franchise and an established outfit. The Dolphins will be eager to notch their maiden victory over the Warriors on Saturday night.

Dolphins Performance

🟩🟥🟥🟥🟥 The Redcliffe Dolphins come into this match in poor form in their debut NRL season, having won just 1 of their past 5 games while suffering 4 losses during that period. Sitting near the bottom of the ladder, the Dolphins' sole victory came against a struggling Wests Tigers outfit. With a miserable record of 1 win and 4 losses from their last 5 games, the Dolphins will be hoping to cause a major upset against the in-form Warriors. However, Redcliffe's poor recent results suggest the Warriors will start as favourites.

New Zealand Warriors Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 The New Zealand Warriors enter this match in red-hot form, having won their last 5 games in a row to put themselves firmly in finals contention. Their flawless record over the past 5 matches demonstrates the Warriors' quality as they've dispatched top sides like the Cowboys and Eels. Their sizzling run of 5 consecutive victories means the Warriors will head to Redcliffe full of confidence as they look to extend their winning streak. The Warriors' perfect form-line over the last month spells danger for the struggling Dolphins.

📋 Players to watch:

• The Warriors have won just one of their last seven at Suncorp.
• The Dolphins have knocked off three top eight sides this season.

⚡ Match Facts:

• Jamayne Isaako has scored 15 tries in his past 13 matches.
• With DWZ out, Marcelo Montoya (8 tries) should be a target.
• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has crossed for 15 tries in 19 games this year.
• The Dolphins have seen under 48.5 points in seven of their last eight.

💡 Match Prediction:

According to the forecasts, the in-form New Zealand Warriors are favoured to defeat the struggling Redcliffe Dolphins. The probabilities point to a likely Warriors victory at 59.1% compared to just 40.9% for the Dolphins. This is reflected in the bookmakers' odds, which have the Warriors as $1.69 favourites, while the Dolphins are outsiders at $2.44.

The prediction indicates the Warriors will beat Redcliffe by around 5 points on Saturday night. Given the Warriors' perfect 5-0 run over the past month compared to the Dolphins' 1 win from 5 games, the forecast appears logical in backing the experienced Warriors.

Dolphins vs Warriors Score Prediction: 22 - 28