2015 NRL: Round 4 Preview and Betting Tips
The biggest question to be asked entering Round 4 of the NRL season is – What is happening with the Cowboys? Many experts predicted that they would make the top four this season and possibly go all the way and win a premiership that has eluded them since they entered the competition in 1995. This round could define their season as they face the Panthers and the Rabbitohs in the following two weeks. Continue reading for our 2015 Round 4 NRL preview and NRL betting tips.
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Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.35pm AEDT)
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will be looking to continue their dominance over the league as they remain undefeated for the season. The Parramatta Eels have struggled the last two weeks. They got off to the worst start possible against the Warriors as they railed 22-0 in the opening 20 minutes. They did well to come back but ultimately their start cost them the match. The Eels have injury clouds over a few of their star players with Chris Sandow having an ankle injury and Nathan Peats and Isaac De Gois suffered concussions on the weekend. The Rabbitohs will continue their undefeated run this weekend.
TIP: Rabbitohs -8 @ $1.90 at Sportsbet
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Friday 7.35pm AEDT)
The Wests Tigers suffered their first loss of the season last week to the Rabbitohs. They showed real fight in the match, having the lead at one stage and holding the Rabbits scoreless for the first 30 minutes. Whilst the Bulldogs won, they are lacking in attack without Josh Reynolds at five-eighth and Hodkinson has been playing poorly and will almost certainly lose his jersey for Origin. The bookmakers have the Bulldogs as outright favourites making the best bet with the Tigers at the line.
Tip: Tigers +8 @ 1.92 at Palmerbet
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers (Saturday 3pm AEDT)
The Newcastle Knights are the surprise of the competition so far as they have won their opening three games of the season. The first time the Knights have done this since the great Andrew Johns was in his prime nine years ago. They were lucky last week with a controversial video referee decision going in their favour. The Penrith Panthers were a side on the opposite end of the spectrum as the video referee ruled against them as almost everyone else thought that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had scored a great try. The Panthers will still be without Jamie Soward but the Knights lose Korbin Sims up front through suspension. The Panthers will bounce back this week as the Knights suffer their first loss of the season.
TIP: Panthers -1.5 @ 1.95 at Sportsbet
Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 5.30pm AEDT)
The Sharks and Titans have both suffered an 0-3 start to the season. The Sharks were expected to win a couple of those games but the Titans lost a few of their big guns for the first two games due to the drug scandal. Greg Bird and Dave Taylor returned last week and it was a much better showing by the Titans who were unlucky to lose because of a video referee decision. The Sharks have lost Ben Barba, which could be a blessing in disguise as he has struggled with his transition to five-eighth. Wade Graham moves from the backrow to replace him and they will get a lot more go forward from him and he can also ball play as he came into the NRL in that position. Titans lose Daniel Mortimer but that opens the door for 2014 Holden Cup player of the year Kane Elgey to make his first grade debut.
TIP: Titans 1-12 @ $3.95 at Luxbet
St George Illawarra vs Manly Sea Eagles (Saturday 7.30pm AEDT)
The Sea Eagles were unlucky to lose last week, with captain and goal kicker Jamie Lyon ruled out just before the match. The loss proved the difference as the conversions missed by Steve Matai and Daly Cherry-Evans meant the Sea Eagles went down by 2. The Dragons had a poor start and were down 18-0 inside the first 20 minutes but they came back and beat the Raiders as they took the lead in the final 6 minutes. The Dragons have finally put their best player Trent Merrin into the starting line-up and this should help them have a better start to the game. The Eagles welcome back Lyon and Kieran Foran and this should be enough to lift them over the line.
TIP: Manly Sea Eagles -3.5 @ $1.92 at Palmerbet
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos (Sunday 12pm AEDT)
The New Zealand Warriors were on fire for the opening 20 minutes against the Eels and it looked as if they had finally clicked and would live up to the expectations they have had placed on them for the last two seasons. Then they decided to go back to the Warriors that drop the ball, leak in points and can’t close out matches. They were good enough to hold onto their lead and collect the two points but a lapse in concentration like that this week against the Broncos won’t work out as well for them. The Broncos did click last week with the Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford combination firing as well as their forwards stepping up and matching it with the big boys from the Cowboys. The Broncos travel to New Zealand full of confidence whilst the Warriors lose fullback Sam Tomkins.
TIP: Brisbane Broncos +2.5 @ $1.90 at Sportsbet
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders (Sunday 2pm AEDT)
The Raiders welcome back their best player in Jack Wighton but unfortunately that won’t be enough for them to stand a chance against the Roosters. Fresh off letting an 18 point lead slip after a dominant opening 20 minutes they are up against the high flying Roosters outfit. The Roosters have a 21-9 record against the Raiders and that will improve this weekend. It is also the first time Blake Fergurson is playing his old side so I expect him to have a big match against.
TIP: Sydney Roosters 13+ @ $1.80 at Ladbrokes
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm (Monday 7pm AEDT)
This could be the most interesting match of the round because if the Cowboys lose again their season could be in tatters. A lot of experts had predicted this could be the year the Cowboys finally get over the line and win that elusive premiership for the first time since they entered the competition in 1995. On the back of three loses, a loss here would see them enter matches against the Panthers and Rabbitohs over the next two weeks as must wins. The thought of the Cowboys having to go through the Origin period with an already losing record is a scary thought for Cowboys fans. Meanwhile, the Storm has had a relatively good start to the season. They won their opening round match against the Dragons, lost a narrow match to the Sea Eagles, which they could have won and they were always comfortable in their victory against the Sharks. The Cowboys will be desperate and I have them kick starting their season this weekend.
TIP: Cowboys @ 1.82 at Luxbet
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!
