Three big Super Saturday games this weekend across 3 vastly different locations. The first heads to New Zealand, with the Warriors hosting a struggling Cowboys team. Aiming to regain a strangle hold at home, the Cowboys will be desperate for a victory. The second game heads to Newcastle, as the Knights will try to halt the power of the Panthers, who return to the top of the NRL Power Rankings. The recent toughness of the Knights will be tested here. To conclude, it is up to Queensland for a derby match between the Titans and Broncos. Normally reserved for a Friday, the Titans will host their rivals in a Saturday night blockbuster. Before You Bet will be there to take you through each match and hopefully match it as profitable as it is enjoyable.
NRL Round 7 Saturday Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday 15th April, Mt Smart Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
The Warriors were defeated 34-24 on the road by the Knights last week, with another poor first half display letting them down. As they did in Round 5, they were able to climb back into contention but there was too much to do this week to affect the result. Positive signs exist in their attack but missing 37 tackles and allowing more line breaks hardly sets a team up for victory. The Cowboys will know that feeling well. They too were outplayed in the first half and failed to finish strong to steal victory, eventually upset by the Dolphins 32-22; this is no surprise with 42 missed tackles to their name. They now sit 15th on the ladder and with 2 wins, are desperate to regain some form. Bookies have found it difficult to split these two sides ($1.90 each). The talent and potential of the Cowboys has them closer in this match than their form would suggest. Home ground advantage is in the Warriors favour, with their superior 57% vs 37% winning record at this ground. The fact that the Cowboys sit 2nd in the competition for missed tackles and average 32.8ppg in defence is an indication of their weakness. The Warriors attack has also scored more points this season. They are preferred in H2H markets but invest around this game being a close game and see what each team offers in a tricky contest.
Same Game Multi
Over 42.5 points, Montoya & Holmes to Score @ $8.50 – 0.5 Units
Either Team By 8 points or Less
$2.10 (2 Units)
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers
Saturday 15th April, McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
The Knights produced another spirited performance last week, prevailing 34-24 over the Warriors at home. Heading into the game as outsiders, the 4-try performance in the first half set them up for victory. They controlled the ball well and relied on their defence, which only missed 20 total tackles, to defend the lead in the second half. They will need a similar level of defensive resolve this week against the Panthers, a team who has scored 97 points in the past two weeks. This time, it was a 44-12 dismantling of the Sea Eagles at home. With fullback Dylan Edwards the star, they scored 5 first half tries to lead 32-nil at HT. Any performance in the second half was merely lost in the first half display. Importantly, it sets alarm bells ringing for other clubs that the Panthers ‘mojo’ is back. Some of their tries in this game were brilliant, but such is their talent, it was made to look easy. They are strong favourites ($1.16 vs $5.20) to turn out a similar display and that appears to be the only possible outcome. The Knights will aim to be competitive for as long as possible, but the class of the Panthers should eventually prevail. The trip north up the M1 will not hold any fears either, the Panthers have a decent (53%) recorded here, which is only slightly behind the Knights (54%). In the case of not if, but by how much, take the Panthers to cover the line.
Same Game Multi
Panthers 19+, Crichton 2+ Tries & To’o to Score @ $15 – 1 Unit (TAB)
Panthers -14.5
$1.90 (3.5 Units)
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos
Saturday 15th April, Cbus Super Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
The Titans faced off against the Dragons for the second time this season, this time they were at home, and they were able to overturn their previous result. In a tight contest, the Titans scored with 4 minutes remaining to level the scores and converted to edge ahead 20-18. In an exciting match, the Titans could have done more to affect the result. They trailed in just about every area aside from line breaks (6 vs 3) and missed tackles (38 vs 49). Improvement will be needed here, as the Broncos are coming off their first loss of the season and will want to avoid consecutive defeats. Playing in front of vocal home crowd, the Broncos were grinded out of the contest by a gritty Raiders team. Even with a greater share of possession (53%), they were unable to build pressure with a poor completion rate (71%) and errors (11) halting their momentum. Their forwards were strong in the middle, but the Raiders demonstrated how vulnerable they can be in this area. The Titans pack will want to take the contest to them here. They have the potential, but the Broncos also have a point to prove. They are favourites ($1.35 vs $3.25), with the inconsistency of the Titans limiting the confidence in their performance. Despite sitting 6th on the competition ladder, they are far lower than the Broncos on the NRL Power Rankings and have a -8 points difference already to their name. The Broncos are still doing things wrong in matches and last week would’ve taken more out of them than perhaps they will acknowledge. For that reason, it should be far closer on the score board. Take the visitors to prevail, albeit, by less than 2 converted tries.
Same Game Multi
Broncos H2H, Total Points Over 45.5, Cobbo & Walsh to Score @ $6 – 0.5 Units
Broncos 1-12
$3.10 (1 Unit)
