The 2017 NRL season continues this weekend with the minor premiership wrapped up with the Melbourne Storm locking up top spot. Still plenty to play for though for the majority of sides. We take a look at the best value of the weekend in our NRL Round 25 Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 NRL Round 25 Betting Tips
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The Broncos were shocked in their last meeting with the Eels a month ago when they weren’t able to get the victory despite heading into the match as big favourites. The side will have the advantage of home soil this time around and we are expecting them to be out for revenge. Since that loss, the Broncos have gone on a three game winning streak and they are looking like title contenders. The side has overcame the injury to their hooker Andrew McCullough by slotting Ben Hunt into the role. Not only has Hunt excelled in the new position but Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford have been great in the halves.
Meanwhile the Eels have won six of their past seven games. However, if you look at their perform ace in their last two starts, it was far from impressive. The Eels are sitting in fifth position while the Broncos are in second, but only two competition points separates them. A lot is on the line in this one and we are backing the home team but in a closer match than expected.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights (Friday 6pm AEST)
The Raiders chances of reaching the semi-finals were all-but dashed on Sunday when they suffered a narrow 26-22 loss against the Panthers at home. It has been their story all year, they have been close but haven’t done enough to get the victory in the majority of their matches.
The Knights were victorious when these two sides met earlier in the season. However, the red and blue showed signs they will struggle for the remainder of the season last week when they were blown away by the Storm. The side was facing the minor premiers but with a third consecutive wooden spoon proving hard to avoid, we are predicting the Knights to suffer a loss in this one. However, we suggest avoiding this game, with both sides inconsistent and the line at a large number.
TIP: No bet
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys (Friday 8pm AEST)
The Cowboys are holding onto a top eight spot while the Tigers are trying to avoid a wooden spoon, but the two can’t be split by the bookmakers heading into this one. Why? Because the Cowboys have an injury list long enough for Paul Green to pull all his hair out. Two more players joined their long list of players on the sideline in their 26-16 loss on home soil to the Sharks. The scoreboard favoured the home side with two late consolation tries ensuring their for and against wouldn’t be damaged.
Meanwhile the Tigers have been competitive in their last fortnight of action. The side pulled a rabbit out of the hat to defeat the Sea Eagles by four points after they trailed by 14 at half-time while last week they lost by just four points to the Sydney Roosters who sit in third position on the ladder. We are predicting a tight match in this one with the Tigers able to secure a victory against the short-handed Cowboys.
TIP: Tigers at the margin (1-12) – $3.25 at William Hill
Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Saturday 3pm AEST)
One of the worst kept secrets was confirmed on Monday when Titans coach Neil Henry was given the sack. The side is on a five-game losing streak and there were rumours of a player revolt against the coach. It is shocking form from the club, as the Titans were lifted from wooden spoon favourites into the top eight last season. Neverthless, the Titans players will need to have a good performance this weekend to overturn their recent run of form. The side has a lot of injured players too and we can’t see them lifting for a game they have nothing to play for.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs snapped their five game losing streak by shocking Manly on Sunday. The Bulldogs scored the most points they have all season in both halves and took a lead into the break for only the fourth time this year. The side managed to hold onto the victory with the Morris brothers winding back the clock for stellar performances. We are predicting the Bulldogs to back that effort up once again for back-to-back wins.
TIP: Bulldogs to win – $2.32 at CrownBet
Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
The Melbourne Storm have wrapped up the top spot and there haven’t been many sides more consistent and dominant over an entire season. The Storm are six competition points ahead with two rounds remaining and that means danger signs for punters. The Storm are massive favourites for the win in this game but there is a high chance his superstars will be rested. Cooper Cronk was given the week off against the Knights last week and it would be no surprise if Billy Slater and Cameron Smith are given the same treatment on Saturday afternoon. The Rabbitohs are also coming off a couple of great wins so they won’t be laying down.
TIP: No bet
Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
Easily the match of the round. The defending premiers the Sharks will host the Roosters in a top four battle. This could easily be a preview of the first weekend of the finals with the Sharks and Roosters separated by two competition points.
It was all one-way traffic the last time these two sides met with the Sharks running away with the match. Wade Graham was a handful in that match but the Roosters were without two of their instrumental players in Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend. We are expecting a closer match this time around, especially with both sides recently snapping losing streaks.
The Sharks have James Maloney back on deck and he will be the difference in this one. The five-eighth is very small and often gets the best of his old friend Mitchell Pearce. We are predicting a tight game but ultimately the Sharks will have too much muscle and bite for their opponents.
TIP: Sharks at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at William Hill
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday 2pm AEST)
What has happened to the Sea Eagles over the past month? They were in the box seat to earn a top four spot with a favourable run home to the finals. However, disappointing and embarrassing losses to sides outside of the top four have seen them drop to eighth position and they are only just holding onto a finals spot. A loss this weekend would be disastrous for them as they have a tough match against the Panthers to round out the regular season. However, fortunately for the Sea Eagles they have a positive recent record against the New Zealanders.
The Warriors have thrown the white flag on their season. The side has been woeful over the past month and a half and we aren’t expecting much different from them on Sunday afternoon. The Warriors have been arguably the biggest disappointment of 2017. They raced out to a 16-point lead against the Sea Eagles earlier in the year before they suffered a loss. We are backing the team to suffer the same fate this week.
TIP: Sea Eagles at the margin (13+) – $2.40 at Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra (Sunday 4pm AEST)
This match will have a lot of implications on the finals series with the Dragons hoping to earn a victory to climb back into the top eight. Meanwhile the Panthers are hoping to apply pressure to the top four by securing wins in their final two games of the season.
The Panthers are on a six game winning streak and have only lost two games over the past half a season. The side has locked up its finals spot and it is obvious where their newfound success has come from. Matt Moylan has relieved a lot of pressure off of the shoulders of halves pairing Nathan Cleary and the 19-year-old has excelled. He has scored over 200-points this season and continues to dominate games and the outcomes of them.
Meanwhile the Dragons have had almost the opposite season to the Panthers. They started strong but have fallen away. Their attack has been poor over this period but we are expecting them to throw caution to the wind this weekend with their season on the line. Unfortunately for the Red V, it won’t be enough as the Panthers will hold on for a comfortable win on their old boys day.
TIP: Panthers at the line (-6.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
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