NRL Round 11 Tips & Preview

NRL Round 11 Tips & Preview

Round 11 of the NRL is underway on Thursday night when the Eels attempt to leapfrog the Panthers back into top spot, at the expense of Wests Tigers.

The Broncos have another enormous task on their hands when the Storm roll back into Brisbane on Friday night, before a potential blockbuster between the Raiders and Rabbitohs on Saturday night.

You can find a preview for each game and all of my 2020 NRL Round 11 tips below.

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
Favourites 6-Pack ($2)

Thursday night footy kicks off with an intriguing contest between the Eels and Tigers at Bankwest Stadium.

The Eels’ winning streak came to an end at the hands of an understrength Sea Eagles side in Round 10, and while there do deserve some accolades for fighting back into the contest in the second-half and holding their opponents try-less, it ultimately led to them being usurped by the Panthers at the top of the table.

Mitchell Moses has been named at halfback this week and clearly, that is also a big bonus.

Most sides are too good for the Broncos at the moment, but the Tigers’ 48-0 demolition job in Round 10 was up there with the best we’ve seen in 2020.

The Eels’ are obviously a big step up in class for them, but a repeat of that performance would certainly put them into the contest for the full eighty.

I can’t count out the Tigers, so I’m staying away from head-to-head and line betting.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles
Manly (-2.5)

We’re back to Townsville on Friday evening, where the Cowboys will officially begin life without Premiership winning coach Paul Green.

It seemed almost certain that 2020 would be Green’s final year in charge of North Queensland and while midseason sackings in a year like this one still puzzles me, perhaps it’ll be for the best.

The Cows were gutsy against the Panthers, but ultimately outclassed and they’ll need to gather themselves quickly to account for Manly.

The Sea Eagles meanwhile pulled off the upset of the season when they held on to beat previous competition leaders the Eels at Brookvale Oval.

They’ll take good improvement and confidence from that win and I think that they can make it two in a row in Townsville.

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm
Storm (-20.5)

Betting suggests the most one-sided contest of Round 11 will take place on Friday night, and it’s not hard to see why.

The Broncos failed to get on the board in their 48-0 thrashing at the hands of Wests Tigers (proudly sponsored by Neds) in Round 10, and it’s tough imagining how they could possibly turn it around enough to compete with the Storm.

I am a huge fan of Kotoni Staggs and there is no doubt that his return is a big bonus for the Broncos, but Anthony Siebold has also flagged that more shuffling is on the cards this week, and I am not on board.

The line is 20.5 points and I think that the Storm could have that figure covered in the first 40.

New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters
Roosters (-24.5)

Friday night’s seemingly one-sided affair is followed by what will likely be another on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors have been trying hard – I really don’t think that there’s anything to be said against that.

I think that they lack the support they require at the top of command and obviously, this season’s unique challenges have been a far bigger burden for them than literally every other club.

The Roosters suffered a tough loss in their Round 10 GF rematch with the Raiders, but they are a side who rarely misses points, let alone two weeks in a row.

Another enormous line has been set by the bookies (24.5 points), but it’s virtually impossible to make a case for the Warriors.

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Dragons to Win ($2.05)

Games between the Sharks and the Dragons almost always produce hard-fought, exciting footy and I can’t find a reason why that won’t be the case again on Saturday.

The Sharks became the latest club to deliver the Warriors a comfortable defeat in Round 10 and while they have been extremely inconsistent in 2020, they remain just outside the top eight and within prime striking distance.

Ever since Mary McGregor was called into a meeting with the board, the Dragons have been a completely different side, and they too are now perched just outside the top eight.

Last weekend’s win over the Bulldogs has surely filled the Dragons’ sails with wind and while there is a legitimate case to be built for both clubs, I am happy to have something on them as the outsiders this week.

Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Raiders 1-12 ($2.70)

Hot off their best win of the season so far, the Raiders welcome the Rabbitohs to the nation’s capital on Saturday night, in what is a replay of last season’s Preliminary Final.

I doubt even Ricky Stuart gave them a chance of winning last week’s game with the Roosters, particularly without the likes of Josh Hodgson in tow but wowee, were they good.

In another big up for the club, star pommie John Bateman has been named on an extended bench and his inclusion is sure to lead to another improved effort.

For a team as good as they look on paper, the Bunnies haven’t really lived up to the hype.

That was underlined in Round 10 when they allowed the Knights the first four tries of their games and ultimately signed their own death certificate.

Sure, they fought back into the contest in the second half, but it was all too little, too late and no one will remember that.

I personally think that the Raiders are under the odds in head-to-head betting, so we’ll dig a little deeper for the value.

Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Over 42.5 Points ($1.90)

Good opportunities await both the Knights and the Bulldogs on the Hunter on Sunday afternoon.

The occasional dreadful performance has really let them down but entering Round 11, the Knights remain in the top four.

They flew out to a 20-0 lead over the Bunnies last week and despite that, there were more nervous moments for the Knights’ faithful as they leaked three tries in ten minutes to leave the door wide open.

The Dogs nearly broke back into the winner’s stall in Round 10 and while they ultimately lost to the Dragons, I think they’ll take confidence from the performance.

English Forward Luke Thompson has looked good, and he will definitely take further individual improvement into what will be his third game.

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers
Titans (+16.5)

Round 11 wraps up on the Coast on Sunday evening when the Neds Titans step out opposite new competition leaders, Penrith.

A huge task faced our boys in Round 10 and while the Storm ultimately proved too good, I thought there was a lot to like about the fight that the Titans showed, particularly in the first 40.

The Panthers’ Round 10 performance was almost the opposite to that of their Round 11 opponents.

They were extremely slow from the blocks, but produced an eye-catching second forty to finish over the top of the Cowboys.

On the Gold Coast, I am happy to give the Titans an opportunity to cover a big line.