The following are previews with betting tips for Finals Week 2 of the 2020 NRL season.
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Roosters v Raiders
Friday, Oct 9, 7:50pm AEDT
SCG |
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2020’s first semi-final game will come in the form of a grand-final rematch between the Roosters and Raiders. Of the two games played between these clubs this season, both teams have walked away with a victory. Canberra produced a comfortable victory over the Sharks in week one of the finals series, while the Roosters were edged by Penrith in a shattering one-point loss for the reigning premiers last week.
Canberra have named an unchanged squad heading into this clash, while the Roosters will be boosted by the return of experienced duo Jake Friend and Sonny Bill Williams.
The Roosters will enter this match as firm favourites, but with the Chooks yet to post a victory since their round 19 match against Cronulla, the reigning premiers will be highly wary of an in-form Raiders squad hunting for their fifth consecutive win. Both of these teams perform at an elite level and either could walk away victorious. While the Raiders will be highly motivated to knock their 2019 grand-final opposition out of the finals series, expect the Roosters’ big-game experience to come to the fore as the reigning premiers get the win.
Betting Tip: Roosters -6.0 @ $1.90 (PlayUp)
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Eels v Rabbitohs
Saturday, Oct 10, 7:50pm AEDT
Bankwest Stadium |
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Souths have gone from strength to strength in recent times after posting consecutive wins over the Roosters and Knights in dominant performances from the South Sydney club. Wayne Bennett’s troops will face a far greater challenge in a desperate Parramatta team. The Eels were left disappointed after they were unable to capitalise on an early lead against the Storm in a frustratingly inconsistent performance from the club.
Maika Sivo has been ruled out for the rest of the year in a devastating blow for Parramatta. Sivo’s importance in the Eels’ kick-returns cannot be understated and with fellow winger Blake Fergusson also under an injury cloud and in doubt. Brad Arthur has named George Jennings to replace Sivo, with Brad Takairangi likely to join the back-line if Fergusson withdraws. Meanwhile, Souths have the luxury of naming an unchanged line-up after their victory against the Knights.
While Souths have been playing some tremendous football, their main focus will be on their starts after conceding early leads in their last two games. Parramatta still look a shadow of their early-season form and Brad Arthur will be working overtime to ensure his troops produce a performance consistent with their talent. Souths last dominated Parramatta in a 38-nil route in round 16. Expect Wayne Bennett’s troops to reproduce that result with the South Sydney club to get the win and face the minor premiers next week.
Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -6.5 @ $1.95 (Pointsbet)
Best Bet
Roosters -6.0 @ $1.90 (PlayUp)
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