We once again went 2/2 in last week’s tips and have been racking up some positive results for our Sunday NRL preview recently. Hoping we can keep the winning bets coming with two interesting matchups taking place this afternoon. On paper, it looks to be two very one-sided matches on the cards today as the in-form Sea Eagles take on the ever-struggling Bulldogs while Penrith go head to head with the Wests Tigers.
The bookies have Manly and Penrith as two of the shortest favourites we have seen in recent history but let’s see if we can find some value across the day.
If you'd prefer to listen to our NRL tips, then why now check out the latest BYB NRL Podcast where Scooby dissects all the action from Round 24:
NRL Round 24 Sunday Betting Tips
Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs
Moreton Daily Stadium, Sunday 1.50pm (AEST)
It’s no secret how well the Sea Eagles are going and have currently won 8 of their last 10 matches, with losses coming against the Storm and Raiders. They made amends for one of those losses last week as they dug deep to beat Canberra by 1 point. They sit just outside the top 4 and a win here is crucial if they want to finish with the advantage of a second chance in the finals. They will receive a massive boost as Tommy Turbo returns from injury and we now the unbelievable impact that he makes on this team. You’d expect Manly to run rampant today and should really be looking to pile on the points and build some confidence leading into the finals.
The Bulldogs just continue to struggle and have been torn apart by most teams they come up against this year. With just the two wins from 23 games, it’s impossible to see them mounting any sort of challenge today against the Sea Eagles. There has been a massive reshuffle today with Josh Jackson the only forward retaining his spot following last week’s loss to the Knights. That made it nine straight losses and it won’t get any easier here today. Bulldogs fans will be hoping to see some sort of fight from their side and if they can cover the 31.5 line it would be a pretty good result for them. There’s no doubting the effort they put in but simply don’t have the quality to compete at the moment.
These two sides met earlier this season and Manly thumped the Bulldogs 66-0 to hand out the biggest defeats of the competition this year. There’s nothing to say today’s match will be any different and it could be a cricket score yet again. Trying to find some value in the match and the unders looks the way to go about that. Hoping the Dogs will struggle to score any points and can hopefully hold Manly to 30-40.
Manly 13+/Under 52.5
$2.70
Panthers vs Wests Tigers
Moreton Daily Stadium, Sunday 4.05pm (AEST)
In a very similar scenario we see another one-sided match as our second of the day today with the 2nd-placed Panthers taking on the 13th-placed Tigers. The Tigers have discovered a little bit of form here and there but consistency has plagued them all year. They were smashed by the Sharks last week following a couple of good wins which pretty much sums up their season to date. In some sort of confidence booster, the Tigers did beat the Panthers in their earlier season meeting so they can take something out of that. They will be without Adem Douhei today however, and I just can’t see them bouncing back now that their hopes of finals are gone.
The Panthers are slowly getting back to full strength at the right time of the season and will welcome back Origin winger Brian To’o and inspirational forward James Fisher Harris. Nathan Cleary returned to guide his side to a comeback win against the Rabbitohs last week and that will give him and his team a heap of confidence heading towards the finals. The Panthers have easily been one of the standout sides all year and it looks more a case of ‘by how many’ here today.
Penrith are still in the hunt for the minor premiership and so long as they keep winning they can give themselves a chance to finish the season on the top of the ladder. With the Tigers now no hope of playing finals footy, I just don’t think they will be up for today’s game and it could turn into a cricket score.