The 2017 NRL Season returns to full length this weekend as we enter the run home. Plenty of great matchups over the weekend and we take a look at them all in our NRL Round 20 Preview and Betting Tips below.
2017 NRL Round 20 Betting Tips
Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The Broncos return to action on Thursday night footy and they are up against the Bulldogs. The Broncos are clear favourites in this one with the Bulldogs struggling for form. They were lucky to escape with a victory in their last start as they made a come from behind win over the Knights. It was a poor performance from the Bulldogs who failed to capitalise on their opportunities. The side had a bye last week and they will have their origin stars back but it won’t help them win this one on the road.
The Broncos were also lucky to earn a victory in their last start but they are more clinical in front of their home fans at Suncorp stadium and they are expected to be at full strength for this one and without their origin stars backing up from origin. They will cruise to victory in this one.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (13+) – $2.30 at Sportsbet
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights (Friday 6pm AEST)
The Knights will be hoping all of their strong efforts which have kept them in games this season will be rewarded with a win this weekend. It would see them snap a 21-game losing streak on the road. Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been named to play his first game for the Knights and it will be against his former club. It would be bittersweet for him to cross for a try in this one and help lead the Knights to their third victory of the season.
However, we can’t exactly see that happening. The Roosters are coming off a bye and have the origin period behind them with their NSW players looking for some big matches. They are in second position on the ladder and will want to hold onto their top four spot. They will be able to hold off the passionate Knights in this one but we are backing the Knights to clear the line.
TIP: Knights at the line (+16.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Sharks are coming off a disappointing performance against the Titans last week. We predicted the side would be flat with the majority of their stars taking part in the origin series. They won’t have to look far for motivation for this contest with champion Luke Lewis playing his 300th game. It is a remarkable story of a winger turned backrow who has had to overcome a lot of obstacles throughout his career and life. We believe they will get up for him and run away with the contest and earning a big victory.
The Bunnies pack has been inconsistent all season and when Sam Burgess has an off-game, they all suffer. The Bunnies made a lot of errors last week against the Cowboys and they weren’t able to mount any pressure against their opponents.
TIP: Sharks at the line (-8.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Panthers were forced to dig deep in their come from behind victory last week. They were without Matt Moylan who was a late withdrawl due ot a hamstring injury. He is expected to take the field this Saturday night. Nathan Cleary stepped up in his place and scored three tries and kicked give goals on the way to a 22-point haul. The 19-year-old halfback gave NSW something to cheer in a week that was filled with depression. Trent Merrin will be out for the next six to eight weeks which is a blow.
Meanwhile the Titans are coming off their own victory against the Sharks. The side gave their slim hopes of reaching the finals alive but unfortunately for them that will come to an end in a narrow loss at the hands of the Panthers.
TIP: Panthers at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at William HIll
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
The Raiders are another side that kept their slim finals hopes alive with a win last week. They entered golden point for their fourth time this season but they were able to earn a try to get the victory. It was a Dave Taylor offload to Elliot Whitehead that sealed the match. However, the Raiders lose Josh Papalii to suspension for the next two weeks due to a shoulder charge and despite having a big pack this season, the Raiders have been lacking in the forward pack. He is a big loss for the side and the left edge defence will miss the enforcer.
The Storm are sitting on the top of the competition for good reason and that was on full display for Queensland last week. Their spine is terrific and they compliment each others games terrifically. The Storm have struggled at times against the Raiders in the past but we are predicting them to earn this victory on the back of their bye last week and consolidate top spot.
TIP: Storm at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
Can the Cowboys win the premiership without Johnathan Thurston? The Cowboys certainly think so (even if we don’t) but we are backing them to earn the two competition points against the Warriors on Saturday night. The Cowboys are on a three game winning streak and looking the goods with all of their players stepping up in the absence of their halfback.
Meanwhile the Warriors will be needing their side to do the same after Shaun Johnson has gone down with a knee injury. It isn’t as bad as first expected with early reports suggesting it was an ACL injury. There is still a chance he can return this year but with the Warriors season all but over we predict he will be shut down. The Warriors won’t produce an upset on the road without their best player.
TIP: Cowboys at the margin (13+) – $2.30 at William Hill
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Dragons slump has seen them fall to 8th place on the ladder and they are holding onto their finals spot by the skin of their teeth. The team has only one won game over the last month and a half and that was against the Knights. They did send the match into golden point against the Raiders but you never had the feeling the side was going to earn the victory.
Meanwhile the Sea Eagles raced out to an 8-0 lead against the Tigers last week and then put it into cruise control and were trailing at the break. The side did eventually kick into gear and they earned a comfortable victory to move into the top four. Daly Cherry-Evans has been playing superbly alongside Blake Green while the Trbojevic brothers have been excellent. We are predicting them to win on the road, something they have been doing comfortably this season.
TIP: Sea Eagles at the margin (1-12) - $3.10 at CrownBet
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Parramatta Eels are on a three game winning streak and they are in the middle of the logjam in the top eight. The side has been able to regain their attack they displayed early in the season and it is largely due to the performances of their utility fullback Clint Gutherson. He has been involved constantly throughout the matches and the more times he touches the ball the better. Mitchell Moses is facing his former team for the first time and he will want to put together a huge performance.
Meanwhile as mentioned above the Tigers weren’t able to hold onto their half-time lead to defeat the Sea Eagles. The side put together a strong opening 40-minutes but ultimately the side is a long way off the pace this season and they aren’t going to threaten one of the top teams. The Tigers won’t cause an upset in this one as the Eels will earn a big victory.
TIP: Eels at the margin (13+) - $2.30 with Sportsbet
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