The NRL season is continuing to heat up as the logjam in the middle of the ladder becomes increasingly interesting. Continue reading for our NRL Round 20 Preview and Betting Tips.
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Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans (Friday 7.35pm AEST)
The Broncos have been dominating the competition and are in a commanding position on the top of the table. They are at full strength and show no signs of slowing down and should make easy work of the Titans at home this weekend in the local derby. However, if the line at over 16 points, there is not much value in this match but the Broncos should win convincingly.
TIP: No bet
Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters (Friday 7.35pm AEST)
The Wests Tigers will again be without their skipper Robbie Farah and they have struggled without him in the side this year. They were able to make a little comeback against the Broncos in the second half last week but they were beaten pretty convincingly but a better side. The Roosters have also been dominant in recent weeks and have earned their spot on the ladder. Their defence and attack has been clicking on all cylinders and they should make easy work of the Tigers this weekend.
TIP: Roosters 13+ @ $1.72 with Crownbet
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Warriors were back to their worst last week as their error rate sky rocketed and their attack was non-existent against the Roosters. This falls down to the pressure that has been placed on halfback Shaun Johnson as the side looks to him to constantly create something when he has the football in his hands. They will need to be more patient this week and return to the basics if they are going to beat a Sea Eagles side that was embarrassed on Monday night. Cherry Evans has been named to play despite an injury concern and because of this we will go with them at the line.
TIP: Sea Eagles +10.5 @ $1.91 with Sportsbet
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Saturday 5.35pm AEST)
This should be an interesting one as the Dragons will enter the match desperate for a win whilst the Storm are looking to play themselves back into form post-origin period. The Storm were brilliant last week against the Panthers in Cameron Smith’s 300th game and if they play like that every week they will be hard to stop for any team. The Dragons are back to full strength and were unlucky not to come away with the points last week and unfortunately for them it isn’t getting any easier this weekend.
TIP: Storm to win @ $2 with Ladbrokes Promotion
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights (Saturday 7.35pm AEST)
The Rabbits are likely to be building up nicely towards the finals and the return to form of Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis contributes a lot to this. When these two players are switched on, the green and red play with a lifted tempo and they were a big reason for why a few people thought they could go the entire season undefeated. That was never going to happen but they should dismantle the Knights soft defence on a lot of occasions this weekend.
TIP: Rabbits 13+ @ $1.78 with Palmerbet
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Raiders had a slow start last week and it cost them dearly as their comeback was ruined by a golden point field goal to Michael Gordon. They can’t afford another start like that and as they push for a top 8 berth they will need to be at their best this weekend. Fortunately for the green machine they come up against the Panthers side that has been riddled with injuries. Half of their backline is still sitting on the sidelines and points could be hard to come by and because of that we will go for an upset this weekend.
TIP: Raiders @ $2 with Sportsbet
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Eels never challenged the Bulldogs last week as they began to show why they made last year's Grand Final. Their big forward pack were setting the platform and, on occasion, making the Eels defence look silly. They are big favourites this weekend against the Sharks but they are on equal points on the competition ladder and the boys from the Shire have a forward pack that can match them up the middle. The danger is in the backs for the Sharks as they offer less in attack and could find themselves in trouble in defence.
TIP: Bulldogs 1-12 @ $3.05 with Crownbet
North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels (Monday 7pm AEST)
A couple of months ago it was almost the upset of the season as the Eels led the Cowboys 30 points to 6 with just over 20 minutes remaining. Then the unthinkable happened, within the space of 14 minutes the whole match turned on its head as the Cowboys scored 30 unanswered points to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in rugby league history. I expect the match to go a little differently this time with the Cowboys coming out and looking to finish the Eels off quickly and never giving them a sniff.
TIP: Cowboys 13+ @ $1.42 with Palmerbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
