Saturdays are getting better with each NRL weekend, and this is no different. If you want to know what is happening ahead of each NRL match, then this betting preview is going to have you covered.
The first game heads to Wagga with the Raiders aiming to bounce back from a disappointing game last week but will have a tough time against the high-flying Storm. Following that, having only met a few weeks ago in the Charity Shield, the Rabbitohs will be out for revenge against the Dragons. Amazingly, both teams are on the same competition points ahead of this game.
To finish the afternoon of action, the Gold Coast will be pumped to host the Titans v Eels. These two teams only met 4 weeks ago and played out a 60-point thriller with a 4-point victory to the Eels. Expect another high scoring fixture to excite fans.
NRL Round 5 Saturday Betting Tips
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
Saturday 9th April, McDonalds Park, 3pm (EST)
Squads
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage
Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Tyran Wishart
Match Preview
The form of the Raiders has been impacted by the injuries and inconsistent execution but losing in such circumstances is one factor, playing poorly is another. Last week, they were powerless to halt the momentum of the Sea Eagles, suffering a 25-6 loss. Completing at 70% and committing 13 errors demonstrates they gave themselves little opportunities.
The Storms dominating 44-nil victory over the Bulldogs will give them the confidence they will need to perform well here. Even if the potential/quality of the Bulldogs was low, they possessed one of the lowest totals of conceded points. The Storm cared little for this and were relentless.
The Raiders will lift for this contest, but little confidence can be given to this unpredictable team. The Storm are listed a short favourites ($1.24 vs $4.10), so you will have to go searching for value. The line (13.5) is tempting; aside from their opening match, the Raiders haven’t faced a quality opponent and they will be stretched to hold their opponents. Take the line on. The Storm may only cover it late but are well positioned to do so.
Prop Bets:
Storm -13.5 + Olam to Score ($4.00 at Ladbrokes)
Storm -13.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Saturday 9th April, Accor Stadium, 5:30pm (EST)
Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray Interchange: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Hame Sele
St George-Illawarra Dragons
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Aaron Woods 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack De Belin Interchange: 14. Talatau Amone 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jackson Ford 18. Tautau Moga
Match Preview
It was only a few weeks ago that the Dragons defeated the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield but the form of these two sides has taken a different path since then. Despite being on the same competition points, the draw of the Rabbitohs has been tough. They’ve pushed the Storm, defeated the Roosters, and competed for majority of the match with the Panthers.
The Dragons could only dream of such form. They have a short turnaround from their Sunday night 48-14 loss to the Eels. In a game that was 12-8 at HT, the Dragons were spectators in the second half onslaught of their opponents. A defensive improvement is expected but they have conceded 36 and 48 points in the past two weeks. The Rabbitohs are primed for a ‘break out’ game.
They demonstrated what they were capable of against the Roosters and this game poses an ideal opportunity. The impending poor weather may limit this, but their defence should also hold out what the Dragons can produce.
Rabbitohs 13+ ($2.20 at Ladbrokes)
Mitchell/Graham/Walker to Score Tries ($11 at Ladbrokes)
Rabbitohs -9.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels
Saturday 9th April, Cbus Super Stadium, 7:35pm (EST)
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Corey Thompson 3. Phillip Sami 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Alexander Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Paul Turner
Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Will Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’I 13. Nathan Brown Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Mitch Rein 18. Bryce Cartwright
Match Preview
No, you’re not losing your mind. These two sides met in Round 1 on Eels turf for a 32-28 victory to the home side. Since then, the Eels have improved on both sides of the ball, while the Titans are (yet again) struggling for consistency. The Eels found their attacking confidence with a 48-14 win over the Dragons.
Most impressively, they pulled away after a tight first half. Involved in one of the worst games of rugby league, the Titans were lucky to defeat the Tigers in Round 4. If they cannot score more than 1-try against them, they will find the task of pushing the Eels extremely difficult this week. The line (7.5) flatters the home side; despite a decent effort in Round 1, they’ve given up a 22-nil lead (Round 3) and conceded 18-points to the Warriors.
They are a capable team in terms of scoring points, but they will have a difficult task of again halting their opponents in this fixture.
Prop Bets:
Eels 13+ ($2.60 at Ladbrokes)
Pensisni to Score Try ($3,10 at Ladbrokes)
Eels -7.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
