Round 13 sees a host of teams head into this weekend with a bye as the league prepares for State of Origin.
Gold Coast and North Queensland battle it out to open up the best bets.
gold coast vs. north queensland
june 2nd 7:50pm
Gold Coast and North Queensland reignite their rivalry when they meet at CBUS Super Stadium to get Round 13 underway.
Opposite ends of the spectrum are where both teams land coming into this clash, with North Queensland charging its way into third, while Gold Coast sits 14th with only three wins from 12 games.
The Cowboys were humbled in their 22-0 defeat to reigning premier Penrith, but it is anything to be ashamed of given how well the Panthers are going.
Gold Coast, meanwhile, showed some signs of improvement against Brisbane but ultimately fell well short in a 35-24 loss.
The Titans might fancy themselves against a weakened Cowboys team with many players lining up for Origin duty.
Todd Payten will be without Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai, but he will not use it as an excuse.
The Cowboys have the foundation and game plan to be winning these games even without key personnel.
Suggested Bet: North Queensland -5.5 at $1.88
penrith vs. canterbury
june 3th 7:55pm
It is not surprising to see Penrith decimated by Origin call ups as it prepares for this Round 13 fixture against Canterbury.
Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary, and Stephen Crichton came out of the Panthers squad, which defeated North Queensland 22-0 last weekend.
Even with a host of outs, there is a still gulf in class between these two teams.
Canterbury just cannot find its way off the bottom of the table, but it might find some solace in its form against Penrith earlier this season.
The Bulldogs found a way to the try line in a 32-12 loss back in Round 5, and that margin could be bridged.
Canterbury at the line could be the way to go but expect the Panthers to grab the premiership points still.
Suggested Bet: Canterbury +9.5 at $1.89
manly vs. new zealand
june 4th 7:35pm
Picking up the pieces and licking the wounds is simply a must for Manly if it wishes to turn its fortunes around against New Zealand.
There has been a deflating mood around the Sea Eagles camp, given the news Tom Trbojevic will miss the season, which was compounded by a 28-8 loss against Melbourne last week.
Staring down the barrel of four losses in a row might be the kick up the backside Manly needs and the same can pretty much be said for the Warriors.
New Zealand comes into this match, having lost its fourth consecutive fixture.
The home ground advantage must give some reprise and hope for Des Hasler’s men, having won three from three at 4 Pines Park this season.
Bet with Daly Cherry Evans also missing and Turbo Tom out for the year, New Zealand will be keen to get this weakened Sea Eagles team.
Suggested Bet: New Zealand +4.5 at $1.87
