The second game on NRL Super Saturday heads to the Gold Coast as the winless Titans host the Sea Eagles. Desperate to overcome their current run of form, coach Halser will be aware of what the Sea Eagles will offer after spending many years at the helm of this club. The visitors will not want to hand their opponents their first win of the season either. This all points towards an exciting night of NRL action. Before You Bet is here to take a comprehensive look at the match and what might happen over 80 minutes of rugby league.
Also, if you’re new to sports betting or betting on the NRL, check out the following articles to help build your knowledge:
- Guide to Betting on the NRL
- Where to Bet on the NRL
- Factors to Consider When Betting on the NRL
2024 NRL Round 7 Preview & Betting Tips
Gold Coast Titans vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 20th April – 5:30pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Titans came close to stealing victory away from the Raiders last week with a narrow 21-20 Golden Point loss. Scoring and converting a 79th minute try sent the game to extra time, with the Titans scoring more tries in the match than their opponents. They had no right to get so close with just a 42% share of possession. They still managed to complete at 82% but made 600m less than their opponents, allowed 904pcm’s and missed 38 tackles. It’s a better performance and one which proves they are getting closer to their first win of the season.
The Sea Eagles headed over the New Zealand to face the Warriors last week and left with 1-competition point following a 22-all draw. Conceding a late try and penalty goal, the Sea Eagles messed up their chance at obtaining victory. Completing at 84%, they were well placed leading 22-10 5 minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, their defence was hard pressed to limit the Warriors attacking opportunities; they missed 47 total tackles and while scrambling well at times, will be disappointed with how they performed in this area. It is a better result than losing altogether but they will need a to avoid similar performances against inferior opponents moving forward.
Match Prediction
This game has all the markings of a Hasler-inspired ambush. He was sacked from the Sea Eagles, has a winless team who has shown recent improvement, and they are playing at home. Reality returns once you look at the odds though, with the Titans facing a tough challenge to make this happen. They are rightly outsiders ($3.20 vs $1.36) given the form of both sides so far this season. The visitors also have a superior record at this ground (44% vs 64%) and have won their past two matches against the Titans here.
The Sea Eagles are boosted by the return of key personnel, further enhancing their case to win this match. The Titans are again without fullback Campbell, which means they lose another dimension in their attack. Even the attacking and defensive records of each team suggest that an upset is unlikely. The Titans have managed to average just 12ppg in attack and concede 29ppg in defence. In comparison, the Sea Eagles score 24ppg in attack and concede 21ppg in defence; the Sea Eagles defensive record is high for a team who wishes to feature in the Finals, and this could mean the Titans look to expose this area of their match. They are not completely convincing this season and have a habit of playing down to their opponents’ level; the Titans level is well below that of any other team this year.
In such an unpredictable game and resisting the urge to ‘buy in’ to the Hasler ambush, keep your stake low in this game and perhaps avoid it altogether. If the Titans are to perform well in this match, it will be a closer game then the line on offer suggests.
Titans +9.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
