The following are previews with betting tips for Round 21 of the 2019 NRL season.
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Cowboys v Broncos
Thu, Aug 8, 7.50pm
1300Smiles Stadium |
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North Queensland will host the Broncos in a massive Queensland derby between two teams who were humbled by their opposition last week. A devastating 28-4 defeat to the Tigers last week typified the Cowboys struggles this year, while the Broncos went down in a 40-4 capitulation against Melbourne.
Tevita Pangai Jr will return for the Broncos in the second-row in an otherwise unchanged squad. The Cowboys have similarly made only one change with Gideon Gela-Mosby replacing Murray Taulagi on the bench.
While the Cowboys season is now over, Brisbane remain a chance of making the top-eight but those odds will become very long if they cannot produce a victory in this match. Both teams have struggled with an inexperienced back-line this year and boasting dominant forward-rotations, expect a brutal contest through the middle of the field. The Broncos will enter the match as narrow favourites but this contest could go either way. Brisbane to get the win.
Betting Tip: Broncos Head to Head @ $1.83 (Bet365, Unibet)
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Warriors v Sea Eagles
Fri, Aug 9, 6.00pm
Mt Smart Stadium |
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A massive 34-point defeat to the Raiders has effectively ended the Warriors’ finals campaign with the club facing another huge challenge against a classy Manly outfit this week. The Sea Eagles are looking for their fourth consecutive win with victory last coming against Newcastle in an impressive performance as veteran coach Des Hasler looks to have timed his squad’s form surge perfectly leading into the finals.
Adam Keighran and Ligi Sao will join the bench to replace the injured Kodi Nikorima and Karl Lawton in an otherwise unchanged Warriors squad. Meanwhile, Manly have elected to name an unchanged team heading into this match.
Given their recent form, Manly will enter this match as firm favourites against a Warriors team whose form has slumped at the worst time of the season. The Kiwi club have been on the receiving end of a number of confidence-shattering losses, but will be looking to restore some pride in their jersey before the end of the year. Expect the class of Des Hasler’s key players to prove the difference with Manly to get the win.
Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 37.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Panthers v Sharks
Fri, Aug 9, 7.55pm
Panthers Stadium |
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After a woeful attacking performance saw the Panthers concede a debilitating loss to the second-last placed Bulldogs, the Penrith club face a massive challenge against Cronulla, who dominated the highly-rated Rabbitohs last week. There were concerning signs for the Sharks given their terrible injury toll, but their return to form has breathed life into their season as they now look to consolidate their finals position.
Penrith will welcome back attacking-weapon Viliame Kikau in the second-row as Sione Katoa and Spencer Leniu join the bench. While James Maloney was named at five-eighth, his suspension will likely see rookie Matt Burton join the starting side in his NRL debut. For the Sharks, Sosaia Feki will join the wing to cover the absence of Matt Moylan in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Given both teams’ recent form, Cronulla will enter this contest as firm favourites. While Penrith have improved their defense after a terrible start to the season, expect their attack to lag behind a Cronulla outfit who managed to put 39 points on Souths last week, albeit with Matt Moylan in the squad. Penrith will need a huge form turnaround to get the points but expect their opposition to get the win.
Betting Tip: Sharks -4.5 @ $1.95 (Pointsbet)
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Dragons v Titans
Sat, Aug 10, 3.00pm
Jubilee Stadium |
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Both the Dragons and Titans have enduring torrid seasons and with both clubs looking set to finish the season in the bottom-four on the competition ladder, questions will need to be asked about their under-performing rosters. The Gold Coast were embarrassed in a 58-6 loss to the reigning premiers, while St George produced a disappointing 4-12 loss to the Eels.
Jai Arrow will return to the Titans’ forward rotation in a huge boost for the struggling club, while AJ Brimson and Jesse Arthars will join the squad at fullback and on the wing respectively. The Dragons have elected to make only one change with Jackson Ford set to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Both these clubs will be hurting with on-field performances drawing much criticism for their lack of effort and intent. However, while the response from the Titans’ playing group has been terrible in the aftermath of Garth Brennan’s departure, St George look far closer to playing their best football. Dragons to get the win.
Betting Tip: Dragons -8.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Eels v Knights
Sat, Aug 10, 5.30pm
Western Sydney Stadium |
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A disappointing 30-6 loss to Manly last week has the Knights’ finals hopes on life-support but the pressure will not let up on the Newcastle club against an Eels outfit who are devastating at their best. Parramatta have found some welcome consistency in their game on the back of fielding their first-choice spine but will still be looking to build some significant improvement before the finals.
In encouraging signs for the Eels but possibly a cause for concern for Newcastle, both clubs have elected to name an unchanged squad heading into this match.
The Knights are facing their sixth consecutive loss with the club’s fall from grace puzzling fans and critics alike given their contention for a top-four berth earlier in the season. While Parramatta will enter this match as firm favourites, they should be wary of complacency against an under-performing Newcastle outfit with the Eels producing some woeful performances at times this year. Expect Parramatta to get the win.
Betting Tip: Eels -3.5 @ $1.93 (Topbetta)
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Bulldogs v Tigers
Sat, Aug 10, 7.35pm
ANZ Stadium |
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The Tigers will be on the hunt for their third consecutive victory after a comprehensive 28-4 win over the Cowboys last week elevated the joint-venture back into the top-eight. They will face a Bulldogs outfit coming second-last on the competition ladder but the Canterbury club have shown glimpses of form throughout this year – most recently in their upset victory over Penrith last week.
Wests coach Michael Maguire has unsurprisingly named an unchanged line-up heading into this match. For Canterbury, Raymond Faitala-Mariner will join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Despite their poor on-field results this year, the culture within the Bulldogs’ inexperienced playing group looks solid. While the Tigers will enter this match as firm favourites, Michael Maguire’s troops should be wary of complacency with their finals berth far from guaranteed. If the Bulldogs can bring the same defensive attitude that secured them victory over Penrith last week they are a good chance to win this match, but expect Wests’ more potent attacking game to get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Tigers -4.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
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Raiders v Roosters
Sun, Aug 11, 2.00pm
GIO Stadium |
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After a superb month of football, the Raiders will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory against the reigning premiers on Sunday afternoon in what shapes as a fantastic litmus test for both clubs heading into the finals. Each team produced a massive victory last week, with Canberra posting a 34-point win over the Warriors and the Roosters a 58-6 drubbing of the Titans.
Ryan Sutton and Nick Cotric will return from the bench and at centre respectively to an otherwise unchanged squad. Joey Leilua is also a chance of making his return from injury after he was named in the reserves. Meanwhile, the Roosters will welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at prop in Trent Robinson’s only change.
The Roosters will enter this match as narrow favourites but with Boyd Cordner and Siosiua Taukeiaho missing from the squad and the Raiders welcoming back the likes of Cotric and Sutton – this may be Canberra’s opportunity to stamp their authority against the competition’s best. This one could go either way but expect the big-game experience of the likes of Keary, Cronk and Tedesco get the ‘Chooks’ over the line.
Betting Tip: Raiders H2H @ $2.02 (Unibet)
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Rabbitohs v Storm
Sun, Aug 11, 4.05pm
Central Coast Stadium |
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After producing a performance against Cronulla coach Wayne Bennett dubbed their worst of the season, Souths will face a massive challenge against an in-form Storm outfit after the Melbourne juggernaut displayed their considerable premiership credentials in a comprehensive victory over Brisbane last week. This contest will shape as a fantastic insight into the form of these two teams and could be an early preview of the finals series.
Souths have named an unchanged squad with Sam Burgess escaping suspension for a high-shot in the club’s last-start loss to the Sharks. Meanwhile, the Storm have lost Maroons prop Christian Welch to a season ending knee injury with Tui Kamikamica joining the interchange.
Despite the loss of Welch, the continuity of the Storm’s playing group – particularly in their spine combinations – gives them a massive advantage over their opposition. South Sydney will need to produce their best form to compete with Melbourne and while they will not make it easy for their opponent, expect the Victorians to get the win.
Betting Tip: Storm -5.5 @ $1.92 (Beteasy)
Best Bets
Raiders H2H @ $2.02 (Unibet)
Storm -5.5 @ $1.92 (Beteasy)
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