Last week was hard to beat in terms of quality matches but this NRL Super Saturday will hope to go close. More importantly, so too will this betting preview!
The first game heads to the Gold Coast as the struggling Titans host a rejuvenated Raiders team pushing hard towards the finals. Then, it is a blockbuster fixture between the Sharks and Rabbitohs in Sydney’s south. Both teams have one eye on the Finals but will not want to drop this match. To conclude, it's back north to Queensland with the high-flying Broncos hosting the bottom-placed Tigers coming off a demoralising loss.
After a great day of action across numerous sports covered by the tipsters at Before You Bet, hopefully this NRL Betting Preview will add to the money in your pocket.
NRL Round 20 Saturday Betting Tips
Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders
Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm AEST
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1. Alexander Brimson 2. Jojo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Isaac Liu 17. Jaimin Jolliffe
Canberra Raiders
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Matt Frawley
Match Preview
The Titans had hoped that they could defeat a team close to them on the ladder in the Bulldogs last week but were outplayed over 80 minutes in their 36-26 loss. Despite showing some promise for minor phases, they could do little to halt the attacking power of their opponents.
The Raiders will sense a great opportunity to extend their winning streak and continue to charge towards a spot in the Finals. Last week, they overcame a 14-nil HT deficit to prevail 26-14 against the Warriors. Failing to play for 80 minutes will also concern them but they will certainly take the two competition points to stay equal 8th (only separated on points difference). If they want to be taken seriously, this is a game which they should win and not allow the Titans an opportunity to cause an upset. With just 3 victories to their name, that appears unlikely for the home team. Furthermore, the Raiders possess a better record at this ground than their opponents (44% vs 59%) and have won 6 of the past 7 matches against their opponents.
It will be a different story compared to Round 3 when the Raiders scrapped home 24-22; they are a stronger, more confident team now and should easily cover the line (and then some). They need a large victory to further assist with their points difference.
Prop: Over 44.5 points, Savage & Papalii to score - $12 at Ladbrokes (0.5 units)
Canberra Raiders -6.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
PointsBet Stadium, 5:30pm AEST
Squads
Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Toby Ruldolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dal Finucane Interchange: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Kade Dykes
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jed Cartwright 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Daniel Suluka-Fififta 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Blake Taaffe
Match Preview
The Sharks were flying in the first half against the Panthers, jumping to a 10-nil lead after 13 minutes. An upset appeared likely, but their opponents resolute defence gave them minimal attacking chances from that point and they went scoreless for the rest of the game, defeated 20-10 in the end. They will take plenty of positives away from that game; had their completion rate and missed tackles been better, it could've been a different outcome.
The Rabbitohs made a statement against an understrength Storm in their 24-12 victory; they're not to be forgotten about. Sitting in sixth on the ladder, star fullback Latrell Mitchell again turned out for a strong performance. He will be crucial to their chances again here. As stated last week, his presence also boosts those around him. The home ground advantage (Sharks 57% vs Rabbitohs 28%) has the Sharks slight favourites ($1.74 vs $2.10).
Many would consider the performance of the home team this season far superior to their opponents; though in reality, they only sit one win ahead of them on the ladder and are more vulnerable than most think. The loss of Finucane for the Sharks further weakens their middle and they will be impacted by fatigue following a contest against a strong and fast team last week. The Rabbitohs are a strong chance, but the safer option appears to be to invest around this match being close, regardless of the winner.
Either Team Under 8.5 points @ $1.95 – 3 units
Props: Either Team Under 6.5 points/Total Points under 41.5 points - $4.80 at Ladbrokes (1.5 units)
Rabbitohs 1-12, Mitchell & Johnston to score - $10 at Ladbrokes (0.5 units)
Either Team By Under 8.5 Points
$1.95 (3 Units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers
Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm AEST
Squads
Brisbane Broncos
1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Delouise Hoeter 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Te Maire Martin
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jackson Hastings Interchange: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Austin Dias 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Jock Madden
Match Preview
The Broncos again proved their doubters wrong with a dominant 36-14 victory over the Eels on the road. Giving little opportunities to their opponents, the Broncos forwards dominated the middle, allowing their halves to create plenty of chances for their outside backs. If they can maintain this standard, they should be taken (very) seriously.
Little detail is needed about the Tigers 27-26 loss to the Cowboys last week, as the controversial circumstances controlled headlines following the fulltime whistle. The finish aside, the Tigers performed above their 2022 standard. If this can become a habit, they will likely finish the season on a positive. Unfortunately, a complete performance is needed for them to cause an upset here.
As close as they were against a team viewed as equal to (if not slightly better than) their opponents here, the Broncos will be prepared for what their opponents deliver over 80 minutes. This is reflected in the odds ($1.10 vs $7) and it's likely to be a one-sided performance in full view of a bumper Saturday night crowd at Suncorp. Forget the fact that the Tigers have scored 40+ points in their past two meetings against the Broncos and have won the past 3, it’s time to take this Broncos outfit seriously.
Props: Oates, Staggs & Riki to score - $9 at Ladbrokes (1 unit)
Staggs 2+ tries - $10 at Ladbrokes (1 unit)
Brisbane Broncos 19+
$1.95 (2.5 Units)
