The NRL season continues this weekend and a full round of action will take place with no sides having a bye. We take a look at every game in our Round 14 Preview and Betting Tips below.
2017 NRL Round 14 Betting Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The second edition of the grand final rematch will kick off NRL round 14 on Thursday night and if their previous two matches are anything to go by then this will be a low scoring and tight contest.
These two sides have had similar success this season with the Storm sitting on the top of the table since the beginning while the Sharks have been able to fly under the radar but now find themselves in second position on the table. The Sharks have overcame their hangover they were suffering after their grand final success and are beginning to hit their straps. The side has a lot of excellent performers and x-factor players in their side and they proved that at Origin level. Andrew Fifita is coming off two of the biggest games of his career and he will be looking to have a huge impact on this contest, alongside the other NSW stars.
Meanwhile the Storm earned a big victory in their last start against the Knights and they were without Cameron Smith and coming off a short turnaround for Will Chambers and Cooper Cronk. Smith will be back in the line up this week and we are predicting him and Cronk to have big games while Billy Slater will want to have another strong performance to state his claim for an Origin recall. However, we will be backing the home side to earn a narrow victory and third straight win against the Storm.
TIP: Sharks to win – $1.90 at Sportsbet
Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights (Friday 6pm AEST)
The Knights are having another struggling season. The side definitely has shown improvement in matches – even in the ones they lose – but ultimately they are still the whipping boys of the competition. The side is lacking experience and it doesn’t help their biggest stars are on the sidelines due to injury and suspension.
The Sea Eagles are beginning to find their form and have moved into sixth position on the ladder. Their golden point victory over the Raiders on home soil shows they have what it takes to match it in the middle with one of the better forward packs in the game. In a huge boost they could see Tom Trbjoveic return from injury earlier than expected.
TIP: Sea Eagles at the margin (13+) – $1.89 at CrownBet
Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Broncos are coming off a narrow loss against the Roosters on the road but the side was battered and bruised in a tough contest three days after Origin. The side will be well rested for this match and Anthony Milford will be back in the side after he missed last week’s match with a concussion. The five-eighth will be hoping to have a big performance to secure a bench spot in game 2 of Origin.
The Rabbitohs had the benefit of the bye last week but I doubt they would have had much rest. Michael Maguire was fuming with his side after this dismal performance against the Eels a fortnight ago. The side had no punch in the middle while they allowed their opponents to make plenty of metres around the ruck. If they have a similar performance in this one they will be blown off the park – and that is how we are predicting this one. The Broncos will make plenty of metres up the middle and their backs will fire.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (13+) – $2.00 at Sportsbet
Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors (Saturday 3pm AEST)
This is a match that could make or break the season of both the Titans and Warriors. The two clubs are sitting on equal competition points, four outside the top eight.
The Warriors and Titans have both shown glimpses of brilliance but haven’t been able to find the consistency to trouble the top sides on a regular basis. The Warriors will be on the road in this one and they are the only side in the competition with no wins away from home this season. They have enough experience and talent in the side to turn that record around.
Meanwhile the Titans home record isn’t too great. They have two wins and four losses on home soil this season. They have a youthful squad but they play at a high level when they are switched on. Nathan Peats returns to the field for the side this week after he had the weekend off after a heroic performance for NSW. He will be a huge boost and we believe he will play a huge role, alongside Ashley Taylor and Jarryd Hayne in leading the Titans to a narrow victory in this one.
TIP: Titans at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
The Penrith Panthers experiment to move Matt Moylan to five-eighth proved to be a success. It is only one week but the Panthers flogged the Bulldogs 38-0 and it was the first time this season they were able to put a full 80 minute performance together. The side defended strongly and they kept the pressure on their opponents. The move allows Moylan to play his normal game while it adds an extra attacker in Dylan Edwards who will excel in the fullback position. It makes the Panthers are much more dangerous side and we expect the move to continue for at least the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile the Raiders suffered another narrow loss – something they are becoming accustomed to this year. They are sitting outside the eight but they definitely aren’t a side that should be taken lightly and it would be a huge shock if they missed finals footy. The side hasn’t clicked yet this year despite the best efforts of Jordan Rapana. We believe the Green Machine will put up a big fight in this contest but ultimately the Panthers will come out on top.
TIP: Panthers at the margin (1-12) – $3.25 at William Hill
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Eels have won back-to-back matches and have climbed into the top eight. Mitchell Moses had another solid performance in his third game for his new sides without bringing the house down. This will be a far greater challenge for him as the Cowboys will be the toughest opposition he has faced since joining the blue and gold. However, he did have one of his best performances of the season against the Cowboys, in Townsville for the Tigers. Corey Norman is set to make his return for the side which is a huge boost for the team while Bevan French continues to be an attacking threat since he made his return.
The Cowboys will still be without Johnathan Thurston but their is a slight chance he will take to the field. The side has been able to win their latest game without him but the Eels pose a lot more of a threat on home soil. Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote will need to have big games while Scott Bolton and Coen Hess will look to lead from the front as the push for an Origin spot. We are predicting another tight match with the Cowboys proving too experienced when the game is on the line.
TIP: Cowboys at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at Sportsbet
Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Tigers will head into this one as big outsiders and rightfully so. The Tigers were able to trouble the Dragons in their last start but ultimately they weren’t able to get the job done. Tuimoala Lolohea made his debut for the club and had a mixed performance. The scoreboard flattered the Tigers as they scored a late consolation try.
Meanwhile the Roosters were able to overcome the Broncos on home soil. The side entered the match without Mitchell Pearce who suffered a concussion in Game 1 of Origin while they had a number of players backing up. Luke Keary continued to impress in Pearce’s abscence and we believe he will have a strong match in this one. Pearce will be back in action and the Roosters should earn a big victory.
TIP: Roosters at the margin (13+) – $2.05 at William Hill
Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Monday 4pm AEST)
The weekend will wrap up on Monday afternoon with the Bulldogs taking on the Dragons. The Dogs are coming off an embarrasing loss that saw them held scoreless against the Panthers who piled on 38 points against them. Their attack has had question marks surrounding it all season long but to see their defence torn a part so easily is worrying. We can’t see them turning things around within the space of a week despite the expected return of Josh Reynolds.
The Dragons were able to defeat the Tigers in their last start. Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop made their returns for the club and it didn’t seem like Widdop had missed a step during his time off. He capped his return with two tries in a another dominant performance. He continues to lead his side to victory and we believe the Dragons defence will hold the Bulldogs out comfortably.
TIP: Dragons at the line (-6) – $1.91 at CrownBet
Always Gamble Responsibly.
