Since Origin, the only thing harder than trusting the Eels or the Warriors to get the job done has been finding new ways to keep the introductions to each NRL round fresh and exciting.
We’re all here for the tips and nothing else, so let’s just cut to the chase. NRL Round 20 Tips and a betting preview for all eight games can be found below.
Wests Tigers continue to punch well above their weight, and they are offered a terrific opportunity to record another win when the Cowboys come to town of Thursday night.
Not a lot was expected of the Tigers (proudly sponsored by Neds) when they travelled up the F3 to play the Knights but it was one of, if not their best performance of the season and it’s gritty gear like that which will potentially see them sneak into the eight, come September.
The Cows went close, but simply could not muster enough to beat the previously out of form Sharks in the Shire on Thursday night, and they face arguably a harder task in overcoming the spirited Tigers. I personally cannot see this one going any way other than a Wests win.
Betting suggests that this is going to be one of the better contests of the round, but I personally cannot see how that conclusion has been reached. The Raiders have returned to outstanding form and they are over the odds to record another win over the Warriors across the ditch.
The Green Machine remain fourth on the ladder; foreign territory for them since Mal Meninga was toe-poking them to victory in the early 90s and I think that above anything, that proves the culture have been re-installed, and they are a legitimate chance in what is a wide open competition.
The Warriors have meanwhile been doing what the Warriors have done best during their existence; underperforming. The lost to the Eels in Round 19 and quite clearly, will need to improve tenfold to compete with the Raiders.
More than half of the Queensland Origin team will step out onto the hallowed Lang Park turf on Friday night when the Broncos host the Storm.
The Storm suffered a defeat at home to the old enemy (if you can call any team that plays against a 20 year old club ‘old’) last week, and they’ll be eager to respond at the expense of a Broncos side that has had one of the all-time cakewalks since Origin finished.
I still do not rate the Broncos and I think that this game will prove to be the reality check that they deserve. It’s so annoying that they’ll probably sneak into the top eight, despite mustering an ordinary performance for the entire season. Hopefully this game and result will set into action another losing streak.
Sea Eagles fans will be hoping that ’97 doesn’t repeat when their boys start firm favourites against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday afternoon.
The Sea Eagles have really started to find some form and will enter this one full of confidence, of the back of their best win of the season. If they remain fit, I don’t think anyone can deny that they are every chance of hoisting the Provan-Summons.
The Knights have seemingly dropped out of the form and with it, the eight, and it’s really hard imaging them competing with the Sea Eagles for the full eighty, particularly at Brookie.
Betting suggests that this one won’t be much of a contest and I guess that’s understandable given the position of these two clubs on the ladder, but I actually think that Canterbury will give a far better sight than $2.90 would have you believe.
The Dogs are rebuilding and their win/loss ratio more than underlines that, but they haven’t been awful on several occasions this season and that was the case again, when they faced the Roosters in Round 19. Sure, it was a loss, but they were in it for the full eighty and a repeat of that performance against the Panthers would see them go close, I think.
The Panthers’ winning streak was snapped by the Raiders last weekend and they’ll be eager to respond. This does loom as a good opportunity on paper, but I just feel like the Dogs are going to do them. Not entirely sure why.
At the beginning of the season this would have looked like an outstanding prospect, but in reality two different classes of team will step out opposite each other at Shark Park on Saturday night.
Put simply, the Sharks have been ordinary of late. They’ve been losing a lot, and only just got over the line at home, against a particularly ordinary Cowboys outfit last week; hardly the sort of form to set your watch to.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was another win for the Bunnies in Round 19 and they remain second in overall standings; now only two wins behind the Storm. This is surely another win for them, and they are over the odds to do it at $1.80.
A massive task for the Neds Gold Coast Titans in Round 20 and you can read all about it, along with some unique insight and several suggested betting plays in this week’s Titans Tips.
I really do no want to touch this one. What a horrid way to close the round from a betting perspective.
On one side, we’ve got a Dragons side who have been terrible all season, but who pushed South Sydney all the way in Round 19.
On the other, an Eels team who are clinging onto a finals berth, but who are rarely convincing and who are almost impossible to trust.
I reckon Maika Sivo will score.