The NRLW powers on this week and after another exciting round of matches, teams are beginning to establish themselves in their 2023 campaign. With just one team undefeated and one winless, this NRLW competition is very tight, and the fans are benefitting from a great standard of play.
We're back to look at our NRLW Round 4 betting tips, with Scooby looking to bring us a winner or two from this weekend's NRLW action.
NRLW Round 4 Preview & Betting Tips
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders
WIN Stadium, Saturday 12th August, 11:05pm (AEST)
The Dragons were embarrassed in their 30-nil defeat against the Roosters. Never in the contest, they allowed their opponents to dominate majority of the contest. Despite completing at 92%, they had just 44% possession, had significantly fewer total metres and post-contact metres, while also allowing 10 line breaks and missing 65 tackles. That was hardly the performance of a capable team. The Raiders are proving to be the opposite, recording consecutive victories with an impressive 28-22 win over the Tigers. In a tense match, the 12-all lead was broken midway through the second half and the Raiders closed out the match with strong defence. To demonstrate their dominance, they averaged 10.8m per carry. The Dragons will need to limit their dominance in this area if they are to be a chance of winning. The Raiders have the same set of players from last week and appear well placed to continue their winning form. You cannot completely count the Dragons out of this contest and the odds ($2.80 vs $1.42) suggest that an upset is possible. Though, it would take a large effort from the home team for this to occur. It should be tighter than the Dragons last performance, several team changes made by the Dragons are aimed at tightening up their middle. With that in mind, take the Raiders to win by no more than 2 converted tries.
Raiders 1-12
$2.70 (1.5 units)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers
Totally Workwear Stadium, Saturday 12th August, 12:50pm (AEST)
The Cowboys were dealt a reality check by the Broncos last week in their 40-12 defeat at home to the Broncos. It was one-way traffic from the opening minute, conceding a try and struggle to halt their opponent’s momentum throughout the match. They were never given much of an opportunity; they had just 41% possession, conceded 10 line breaks and missed 53 tackles. A reversal of form is needed if they are to compete here against the Tigers, who are also coming off a loss. Starting the season with consecutive victories, the Tigers headed down to Canberra to face the Raiders but were outplayed 28-22. Despite a larger share of possession, they ran for fewer meters and missed more tackles. Two late tries only made their loss appear respectable in a game they were continually outplayed in. The Tigers carry some injury concerns into this game with Vette-Welsh ruled out and Lutu under an injury cloud. The Cowboys are boosted by the club debut of Tillett at 5/8, adding stability and flair with Dibb in the halves. The Cowboys are favourites ($1.58 vs $2.35) for this game, but the odds should be far closer. The Tigers are a capable team and have proven as much this season. Play it safe in this game, invest around a tight match and watch what plays out, to have a better understanding of each side moving forward.
Either team to win by 8.5 points or less
$1.90 (1.5 units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels
Totally Workwear Stadium, Saturday 12th August, 3:10pm (AEST)
The Broncos captured their first win of the season with a dominating display against the Cowboys. Scoring in the opening minute, the Broncos were clearly the better team and set a standard which the Cowboys were unable to match. Their possession (59%), completion rate (89%), metres per carry (9.6m) and line breaks (10) were all vastly superior to their opponents. It was the performance we knew they were capable of but were yet to deliver. It doesn’t look good for the Eels in this game, who are the only winless team in the competition and are failing to play with consistency. Trailing 18-4 at HT, their task was made even more difficult in the second half when Cherrington was sent from the field for a dangerous tackle. They were the inferior team in every area prior to that, the send-off just compounded their issues. The odds ($1.20 vs $4.40) suggest that more pain is forthcoming for the Eels and their form to start the season fails to suggest otherwise. The loss of Cherrington to suspension only compounds the Eels’ issues further. The Broncos proved last week that they have regained their confidence in attack, while also improving their defence. Once they gather momentum, the Eels will struggle to halt their opponents point scoring.
SGM = Hufanga & Gray to score - These two players have led the way for the Broncos with Hufanga scoring 4 tries and Gray 3 so far this season. Expect a large impact from them this week too, with the aim of creating attacking opportunities from their crafty halves at the line.
Broncos -13.5
$1.85 (2 units)
Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters
PointsBet Stadium, Sunday 13th August, 12:03pm (AEST)
The Sharks were upset 10-8 by the Titans last week, failing to score a point in the second half after leading 8-nil at the break. In a grinding affair between two quality teams, the Sharks conceded a try with just 2-minutes remaining to be defeated. They lead the Titans in key areas such as metres made and missed tackles but were unable to transfer the positive field position from these statistics into points. They should be better for that experience. Their task of winning doesn’t get any easier, facing the Roosters this week. The visitors are high on confidence following an impressive 30-nil win over the Dragons. Cleary the better team, the Roosters showed their class; having 10 line breaks, dominating metres made and making their opponents miss 65 tackles indicates just how one-sided this game was. The Roosters are strong favourites for this game, based largely off their recent form and the struggles of the Sharks. It is hard to see anything other than the Roosters winning; the Sharks have shown glimpses of promise and can build momentum, but something is still missing from their play. On the chance that they could cause an upset, the safer option for the Suggested Bet in this game is to take either team to win by a 12-point margin.
SGM = Kelly & Tonegato to score - both are key attacking weapons for their team. They regularly have their hands on the ball and trouble defenders when they go to the line. If their teams are to win, both will have a large impact on the result.
Either team win 1-12
$1.55 (2.5 units)
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans
McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday 13th August, 1:50pm (AEST)
The Knights produced an impressive display in their 38-4 victory over the Eels. Clearly the better team in all areas, they were able to build on their 18-4 HT with confidence when the Eels were reduced to just 12-players at the start of the second half. The Knights continued to play with freedom (10.2m per carry & 8 line breaks) and further developed their confidence. The Titans head into this game at the top of the NRL ladder, the only undefeated team, following their gritty 10-8 win over the Sharks. Trailing 8-nil at HT, the Titans put themselves in a winning position (81% completion rate) and stole victory with a 67th minute try. They have experienced 3 very tight games (points difference in only 13 points) and this game should be no different. This top of the table clash see’s the second placed Knights listed as favourites for this match ($1.53 vs $2.45). The home ground advantage counts for something, and with two of the Titans backs needing to pass a fitness test to play, their price has drifted slightly. What does appear likely is that this game will be close. These two sides have started the season strongly and will be out to maintain their momentum. This makes the preferred investment on this match to be around a close fixture, with the game likely to go down to the wire.
Either team by 8.5 points or less
$1.90 (2 units)
