The 2016 NRL regular season will come to an end this weekend but there is still plenty to determine in the top eight. Continue reading for our NRL Round 26 Preview and Betting Tips.
NRL Round 26 Betting Tips
Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The Broncos have bounced back in recent weeks as they continue to expand their attacking play. Their midseason slump is all but forgotten as their halves pairing has recaptured their best form as they have won three straight matches including two tough victories against the Bulldogs and the Storm. In both of those matches their defence was improved drastically which is what they will need in the semi-finals. Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt were able to apply a lot of pressure on the Storm’s defence – which is the best in the competition – and their running game was just as good as their passing. The sides forward pack is back to full strength and the move of Sam Thaiday into the starting line up is working a treat.
The Roosters are another side that has recaptured their form but they were outclassed on Saturday night against the Sharks. They raced out to a 12-0 lead and it looked as if they would add to the slump for the former competition leaders but it wasn’t to be as they conceded 30-straight points. The Roosters will come back strong next year but this wasn’t their season for numerous reasons and the Broncos will run away with this contest.
TIP: Broncos – 13.5 @ $1.90 with Sportsbet
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Bulldogs lost for the second time against the Cowboys this season and their premiership credentials are becoming more concerning. They rely far too heavily on their forward pack and the topsides find it easily to defend against. However, they are up against a Bunnies side that isn’t close to the top eight but is arguably one of the more in form sides in the competition as they have won four-straight matches.
The Bunnies were able to get the job done on the weekend against the Knights as nearly every team has this season. They cruised to victory as the contest was never really in doubt and the Rabbitohs weren’t playing for much themselves. However, they definitely haven’t laid down in the back end of the season and we are expecting the forward pack to attempt to match it with the Bulldogs. The Rabbits will push the Dogs but ultimately Canterbury has too much to play for and will come out victorious.
TIP: Bulldogs 1-12 @ $3.00 with CrownBet
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Dragons disappointing season continued as they fell short against the Eels on Monday night. Drew Hutchinson had a solid debut match at halfback but Benji Marshall will return to the side this weekend to play his final game for the side. Their attack won’t be bolstered by the return but the former superstar should be able to go out with a bang against the woeful Knights defence.
The 2016 Newcastle Knights season will go down as the worst in NRL history as they have managed to win just one game all year. The side hasn’t had many positives but fans will rejoice as it will all come to an end this weekend. The Dragons aren’t much better in attack but they showed earlier in the year they are superior to the Knights and on home soil they will earn a big victory.
TIP: Dragons 13+ @ $2.25 with William Hill
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
This is a massive contest that will have big implications for both sides. The Cowboys are looking to lock up a top four spot that will see them ensured a spot in the second week of the finals and also give them an opportunity to win a spot in the preliminary final. The side has been able to return to their premiership form over the past two weeks as their attacking is beginning to click. Their defence has also been solid as they only suffered a couple of tries in their last two matches with one of those coming from an intercept try.
Meanwhile the Titans are looking to book their place in the finals as a win will ensure they will take 8th spot whilst a loss will leave them hoping the Tigers can’t get the job done against the Raiders. The Titans were faced with a 14-0 deficit at half time against the Panthers but they clawed their way back and the match seemed destined for golden point but Matt Moylan was able to slot a field goal with seconds remaining to sink the Titans faithful. The Titans will put up a fight but with possible injuries to their rookie halfback Ashley Taylor and Jarryd Hayne the defending premiers will come out on top.
TIP: Cowboys -9.5 @ $1.92 with Ladbrokes
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Battle for the minor premiership will come on Saturday night as the Storm host the Sharks in a block buster match. A lot of experts are predicting this to be a grand final preview and this gives league fans an opportunity to watch a finals match a week early. It is likely that both coaches won’t go all out in this contest with their perfected game plan but it definitely is a benefit for the clubs to gain momentum and bragging rights heading into the finals series.
The Sharks were able to snap their form slump with a comfortable victory over the Roosters. They had a slow start to the match but after they were able to capitalise on a couple of ricocheting balls and score a couple of 4-pointers, their confidence was lifted and they ran away with the contest.
Meanwhile the Storm is beginning to dip as they have been off over the last month. They have managed to win three of the four games but the side hasn’t been at its best defensively and they lost their latest match at home to the Broncos. The side relies heavily on Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith to control the game and produce a big play and their other star players such as Cameron Munster, Tohu Harris and Jesse Bromwich will need to step up in the coming weeks.
It will be a tight contest but with the Storm having the home field advantage and the Sharks having slow start to matches, we are predicting the Storm will gain an earlier lead and use their experienced players and defence to earn the minor premiership.
TIP: Storm 1-12 @ $3.00 with William Hill
Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Tigers will know their fate by the time they take the field on Sunday and it could be a massive match for them. A win could send them into the finals series but the Titans will have had to lose to the Cowboys. They earned a spectacular victory over the Warriors on the weekend where they were able to overcome a deficit on the road and keep their season alive. Mitchell Moses continued to star as he has had a terrific last couple of months to end the year whilst the side has played at a high level despite the loss of star fullback James Tedesco.
It was reported the Raiders may rest a lot of their key players this weekend as they are practically locked into third spot on the ladder. However, coach Ricky Stuart has named a full strength squad despite the injury to Blake Austin. Aiden Seizer is also in doubt and he could be late withdrawal. The Raiders have leaked a lot of points in recent weeks and Sam Williams showed a lot of weakness in defence. We are predicting the Tigers to have more to play for in this contest and book their spot in the finals.
TIP: Tigers @ $2.30 with CrownBet
New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Warriors and Eels both had expectations to play in the finals series this year but for different reasons they will not take part. The Warriors have been inconsistent throughout the majority of the season despite the State of Origin period when they excelled. Their line up has chopped and changed a lot throughout the year, which hasn’t helped their chances, and they haven’t been as solid at home as in the past.
The Eels showed what they are capable of on Monday night against the Dragons and it is positive signs for the future. Bevan French bagged a hat trick in one of his first games in the fullback position. It is early days but if French continues to improve he could have Eels fans forgetting about Jarryd Hayne relatively quickly. This is a hard match to pick as the Eels have lost a lot of personnel throughout the year whilst the Warriors have a lot of injury troubles. We suggest steering clear of betting on this match.
TIP: No bet
Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday 6.30pm AEST)
The Panthers fell away in the second half against the Titans on the weekend but they did enough to secure their spot in the semi-finals. They will be looking to continue their momentum into the finals series and a win here will do that. They are a threatening side as they have the ability to offload the ball and create second phase opportunities. Cartwright will continue to play at five-eighth for the remainder of the season whilst rookie Nathan Cleary will continue to steer the team around the park. The side has a lot of x-factor and Matt Moylan is capable of being a game changer.
Meanwhile the Sea Eagles are another side that has had a season to forget, as they haven’t been able to have any consistency. Injuries have plagued the team throughout the year but they were never a side that deserved to play in the finals. The Panthers will be far too strong for the Sea Eagles and will enter the knock out stages on the back of a big win.
TIP: Panthers 13+ @ $2.10 with Sportsbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
