The term ‘Super Saturday’ gets thrown around weekly but this weekend, the NRL actions promises to a fantastic 7 hours of viewing. This NRL betting preview will have you covered on all 3 games to hopefully provide you with a return for your effort of sitting and enjoying everything that is on offer. The first match heads out to Bathurst for a ‘top of the table clash’ between the undefeated Panthers and Knights.
Many expected the Panthers to be in this situation, but the Knights have surprised many. We head south for the second match as the intensity continues with the Storm hosting the Eels in Melbourne. The Storm were lucky to scrape home against the Rabbitohs last week but it was a different story for the Eels. Finally, the Raiders will be desperate to bounce back from a poor showing last week against the Cowboys, as they host the Titans, fresh from their first win of the season against the Warriors.
NRL Round 3 Saturday Betting Tips
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights
Carrington Park, Saturday 26th March, 3pm (AEDT)
Squads
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Matthew Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. J’maine Hopgood
Newcastle Knights
1. Kaylan Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jirah Momoisea 16. Leo Thompson 17. Mat Crocker 18. Simi Sasagi
Match Prediction
Few would’ve imagined that the Round 3 fixture in Bathurst would be a ‘top of the table’ clash. The Panthers have surprised no one with their form, even with Cleary missing for the opening stages of their season and the injury to To’o increasing the challenge. The Knights have shocked a few people with their play; their upset win over the Roosters in Round 1 was supported by a dominating display against the Tigers last week. Despite their opponent’s lacklustre display, credit must go to the Knights for their 26-4 victory. However, this is a real test to see how they are performing following their first two wins.
The Panthers are not a side that will reduce pressure at different stages. When one player is missing or doesn’t perform, another player rises to the occasion; see Kikau’s performance last week. The Knights have reason to be confident ahead of this game, but the Panthers may expose a weakness or two. They have managed to set up victory in the first two matches from a strong performance by their pack. This game will be different; the Panthers will enjoy the challenge in this area and the Knights will feel relentless pressure, even from the interchange players. The odds ($1.28 v $3.70) are disrespectful for the Knights. This game will be far closer than most think. The final stages of their match last week against the Dragons suggests that the Panthers can be exposed over 80 minutes.
Prop Bet
Charlie Staines to score ($1.70 at Ladbrokes)
or to score 2+ tries ($4.50 at Ladbrokes)
Panthers 1-12
$2.50 (1 Unit)
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels
AAMI Park, Saturday 26th March, 5:30pm (AEDT)
Squads
Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis
Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Will Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’I 13. Nathan Brown Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Wiremu Greig 16. Ray Stone 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Bryce Cartwright
Match Prediction
The Eels have a very imposing record against the Storm recently, winning 3 of their past 4 matches. They’ve been outsiders in all matches and have not let the aura of their opponents overawe them. They will need to improve on their efforts in Round 2 though, as they were defeated on the bell 18-16. They need not look any further than their 49 missed tackles as a starting point. The Storm were victorious over the Rabbitohs, despite the match being sent into Golden Point. They were measured and prevailed on the back of a Ryan Papenhuyzen FG. They too are not without their faults; they only completed at 69% and committed 18 errors.
The Storm are favourites for this game but there is doubt around the final squad named. If they are without a few players due to COVID Protocols, watch the odds for the Eels decline. The trip south will also not worry them; they can pressure their opponents in this game. The Storm are a very good team but even they have shown a weakness or two in the opening two matches. The fact that they have been pushed at different stages in the opening two matches, with the result only decided late, is sure to increase the fatigue level of this team. If you like the Eels, do not let feat stop you from investing on them. However, the ‘Suggested Bet’ is a safer option.
Prop Bet:
Total Points Under 38.5 ($1.80 at Ladbrokes)
4 of the past 5 matches between these two sides have gone under this margin. With both teams aiming to prove themselves defensively, this game is set to go the same way.,
Eels +4.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans
GIO Stadium, Saturday 26th March, 7:30pm (AEDT)
Squads
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Alexander Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Herman Ese’ese
Match Prediction
It was a difficult watch last week for the Raiders as they bumbled their way through the match (56% completion rate – 15 errors) against an inferior team. Perhaps the trip north to Townsville and playing in the match conditions drained their energy. Regardless, they need an improved performance. The Titans captured a narrow 20-18 victory over the Warriors, again involved in a tight game which went down to the last few plays after a 32-28 loss to the Eels in Round 1. Normally, they were the games the Titans would lose (and perhaps by a significant margin).
The Raiders form against the Titans has seen them win 6 of the past 8, with 2 out of 3 wins coming at home. On potential though, the Raiders could be vulnerable at the price. In equal measure, you cannot invest on the Titans with much confidence. Ideally, this is a match you should stay away from early in the season. Watch what both teams offer and you will have more confidence in coming weeks when investing on them. For the sake of picking a winner, there is a slight lean towards the Titans given the Raiders are without their first-choice halfback and hooker.
Titans H2H
$2.20 (0.5 Units)
