Dragons v Wests Tigers preview - 2017 Round 13

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers Saturday 3:00pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Cavalry returns as the Dragons look to keep pace with the leaders.

This contest shapes as a very interesting Saturday afternoon showdown. The Wests Tigers remain rooted at the bottom end of the NRL table, winless since a Round 8 upset of Canterbury, and kept scoreless by Broncos in their most recent outing a fortnight ago.

St George Illawarra meanwhile dominated the early season before injuries put paid to any hopes of maintaining the competition lead, losing key players in Widdop and Dugan for various periods. Their last outing was more positive with a comfortable win over the Warriors in Waikato two weeks ago, but the weeks before that saw the Red V struggle against formidable opponents in the Roosters, Storm and Sharks.

In terms of team news, the Dragons have confirmed a raft of post-Origin changes including the return of both Dugan and Frizell from rep duty and Widdop from injury. The Wests Tigers are expecting to have Woods and Tedesco available after an entertaining Origin opener.

Last meeting: Round 5 2017 - Wests Tigers 6 Dragons 28

Since both sides were created at the turn of the century, this pair have met 33 times with the Dragons triumphant on 18 occasions. 12 of these have been at ANZ Stadium, with the Dragons holding a slender lead with 7 wins to 5.

Who to watch: After missing three matches, captain and five-eighth Gareth Widdop returns to the Red V lineup earlier than anticipated. With Widdop, Dugan and Frizell all listed to take the field, the Dragons will field their strongest lineup in over a month, and it'll be Widdop's steadying of the ship in the halves that will deliver his side an anticipated victory on Saturday.

He was wearing a Warriors jersey just over a week ago but this Saturday, Tuimoala Lolohea will don the Wests Tigers' #6 jersey alongside Jack Littlejohn. A rocks-and-diamonds player, 'Tui' has oscillated through the backline in his time across the Tasman, so it will be interesting to see how he deputises in the halves while Brooks remains injured. His task is made difficult first up against a giant Dragons pack - but time will tell.

The favourite: Dragons. All day.

My tip: As above. Anything but a Saints win here will be a boilover. Dragons by 20.

19. Josh Dugan 2. Nene Macdonald 6. Kurt Mann 4. Timoteo Lafai 1. Jason Nightingale 21. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 20. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 3. Taane Milne 11. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Hame Sele

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 21. Michael Chee-Kam 4. Moses Suli 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Jack Littlejohn 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Kyle Lovett 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor 14. Tim Grant 15. Jj Felise 17. Jacob Liddle 18. Esan Marsters

Referees: Gavin Badger, Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Chris McMillan; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Luke Patten;