The State of Origin wreaks havoc to squads heading in Round 18 but it means we some great value.
Best bets and value propositions heading into this weekend’s NRL action.
Gold coast vs. Parramatta
July 16th 6:00pm
The remnants of State of Origin game three will be left at CBUS Super Stadium when Gold Coast host Parramatta.
While the Eels can afford a slip up and still keep its spot in the top four, the Titans know this is almost a do or die situation given they are a game outside the top eight.
The bye might have come at the wrong time for the home team given it had the momentum of a 44-6 win over Canberra.
Parramatta has proven a genuine top four team this year and almost pinched victory against Penrith prior to its week off.
Suggested Bets: Parramatta Eels -5.5 at $1.83
Manly vs. St George Illawarra
July 16th 8:05pm
It is sixth versus seventh when Manly lock horns with St George Illawarra.
The Dragons might just very well be on the good side of luck again with Tom Trbojevic unlikely to take this spot in the Manly side due to origin duties.
He was missing from the Round 3 loss against the Dragons earlier this season and his omission here might just see the Dragons cover the line.
Manly should be able to bounce back into form after a poor showing against the Raiders in Round 17.
Suggested Bet: St George Illawarra +14.5 at $1.86
Canberra vs. Cronulla
17th July 3:00pm
The backs are still against at Canberra when the Raiders take on Cronulla come Saturday afternoon.
Canberra caused a shock victory over Manly last week to keep a faint pulse beating on its season.
The story for Cronulla was a 20-12 triumph in Round 17 meant it sealed itself in the top eight for another week, albeit by points differential.
A 12-10 result in favour of the men in green would have the Raiders confident of a win having been there and do it before this year.
Suggested Bets: Canberra head to head at $2.30
North Queensland vs. Sydney
July 11th 4:05pm
Sydney breath a sigh of relief coming into this clash against North Queensland after a surviving a scare against Canterbury last week.
The Roosters held on to record a 22-16 win after North Queensland were belted the night before to the tune of 28 points against South Sydney.
Even though the Roosters were not at their best, it should still be enough to get over an unreliable Cowboys side.
The Roosters will likely be without James Tedesco and Angus Critchton who are on origin duty but that won’ change the result.
Suggested Bet: Sydney Roosters -8.5 at $1.89
Melbourne vs. Newcastle
July 17th 7:35pm
Melbourne Storm may never lose a game again.
A 13-game winning streak is what the Newcastle Knights have to contend with on Saturday night.
Even without the likes of Josh Addo-Carr (Origin duty) and Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm has managed to charge into premiership favouritism.
The Knights managed a big 38-0 win over the Cowboys prior to the bye but they have to somehow find a way reverse a 30-10 loss it had against Melbourne earlier this year.
Get the pen out and stroke another line down for the Storm… 14-in-a-row is on its way.
Suggested Bet: Melbourne Storm -18.5 at $1.90
New Zealand vs. Penrith
July 18th 2:00pm
The Sunday fixture might just see Penrith gain some of its stars back from origin against New Zealand.
The Warriors might prove a dangerous team given their pace out wide on the park and the potential for the Panthers players to be sore after game three on Wednesday night.
But New Zealand need to reverse losing form against Cronulla.
If Nathan Cleary and the like line-up in this game, then expect a comfortable Panthers win but the line for the Warriors looks the goods.
Suggested Bet: New Zealand +8.5 at $1.90
Brisbane vs. Wests Tigers
July 18th 4:05pm
Avoiding the wooden spoon will be on the minds of both Brisbane and Wests Tigers this Sunday afternoon.
With the Broncos looking to steer clear of its second wooden spoon in as many years and the Tigers looking keep a gap on last place, this game will be a fierce battle.
It’s advantage Wests Tigers from a head to head perspective having smashed the Broncos 48-0 in Round 10 last season.
Wests will be hoping Luke Garner returns for the clash given he led the charge with two tries against Brisbane in 2020.
Suggested Bet: Wests Tigers head to head at $2.21
South Sydney vs. Canterbury
July 18th 6:15pm
South Sydney know a win will pile more pressure on first-placed Melbourne and second-placed Penrith when it duels with Canterbury.
The Rabbitohs are a game behind both the league leaders and land on the perfect chance to get that point differential widened if it can smash its opposition.
To say it’s been a struggle for the Bulldogs this year would be an understatement given its negative 304 pints for and against ratio.
Latrell Mitchell should be ready to return from origin duties which will only cause more headaches for the Bulldogs.
Suggested Bet: South Sydney -23.5 at $1.90
