The 2020 NRL regular season wraps up this weekend with plenty of rivalry matchups and top 8 battles before the finals get underway. Here’s our preview and betting tips for Round 18, thanks to the team at Bet King.
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Thursday September 24 | Suncorp Stadium | 7:50pm
The XXXX Derby reignites at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Brisbane are facing a must-win situation if they want to avoid the wooden spoon. After ten straight defeats, they’ll hopefully show some fight, especially in Boyd’s last NRL game.
The Cowboys will be looking to close the chapter on what has been a horror 2020 by beating the Broncos and handing them the spoon.
In team news, the Broncos get Haas back and Staggs with play 5/8th. But David Fifita is a big out in the forward pack. The Cowboys have Josh McGuire back from suspension and Taumalolo will start at lock.
The Derby usually results in a close margin between these two rivals and we’re backing either team to win this by under 6.5. This bet is 3-2 in the last five meetings and this year’s meeting was just a seven-point margin.
Prediction: Either Team Under 6.5 Points @ $2.80
Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights
Friday September 25 | Cbus Super Stadium | 6:00pm
Titans look for another upset on Friday when they tackle the Knights.
Gold Coast have won four games on the trot, including a 42-24 thrashing of Manly in Sydney last week.
The Knights easily dispatched the Dragons 42-18 and will be keen to head into the finals with back-to-back wins.
In team selections, the Titans will regain Kelly in the centres. The Knights have Mann and Bradman Best returning to the lineup.
Newcastle’s last three games have easily gone over the total and we feel this will be another high scoring affair.
Prediction: Over 43.5 Points @ $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters
Friday September 25 | ANZ Stadium | 7:55pm
Traditional rivals meet at ANZ Stadium before the finals kick off.
South Sydney were awful last week in their 26-16 loss against the Bulldogs so they’ll need to recapture their mid-season form soon.
The Roosters are flying after five straight wins and back-to-back crushing wins over Cronulla/Newcastle at the SCG.
Dane Gagai is back for the Rabbitohs but they’ll miss Su’A with suspension. The Roosters have opted to rest Manu, Collins and Liu, but welcome back Tedesco, Friend, Cordner and Taukeiaho.
We’re hoping the Rabbitohs can regroup last week and give the Roosters a tough hit-out before the finals. So we like the points under, which is 4-0 at this venue between the two sides.
Prediction: Under 44.5 Points @ $1.90
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers
Saturday September 26 | ANZ Stadium | 3:00pm
Can the Bulldogs produce another upset?
Canterbury finally ended a seven-game losing streak with an impressive 26-16 win over the finals-bound South Sydney and it also lifted them off the bottom of the ladder!
The Panthers have wrapped up the minor premiership so they’re simply looking for no injuries on Saturday.
Unbelievable scenes at Canterbury with no team changes for the first time this season! Meanwhile, Penrith have rested Edwards, Kikau and Crichton.
The Bulldogs do have a good record against the Panthers with two wins in the last three meetings and we like their chances of keeping it close.
Prediction: Bulldogs +14 @ $1.85
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday September 26 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 5:30pm
The Sharks and Raiders provide a preview of next week’s final when they clash on Saturday.
The Sharks couldn’t stop the Roosters juggernaut last week at the SCG in the 34-18 defeat and Shaun Johnson is now gone for the season.
Canberra battled against the Warriors last week but ultimately finished stronger in the 26-14 win.
In team news, the Raiders are basically looking at next week as they’ve rested six top players. The Sharks have also rested a few and they’ll have a new halves combination with Tracey/Graham.
Canberra’s motivation to win this game should be low and their team lineup says the same. So we can’t see the Sharks dropping this one.
Prediction: Sharks -2.5 @ $1.90
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels
Saturday September 26 | Bankwest Stadium | 7:35pm
The Tigers and Eels meet at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday evening.
Wests were smashed by Melbourne last week 50-22 and have lost four of their last five.
Parramatta could be looking at 3rd spot on the ladder if the Roosters lose and they’ll also be looking to attack the Tigers defensive woes.
In team selections, the Tigers will regain Brooks, Talau and Twal. The Eels have moved Paulo and Lane into the starting 13 after playing off the bench.
We like the chances of a high scoring affair considering the Tigers have allowed 24+ points in five straight games and the Eels have a nice scoring record against them.
Prediction: Over 42 Points @ $1.90
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sunday September 27 | Central Coast Stadium | 2:00pm
It’s a battle for 11th spot at Central Coast Stadium when the Warriors play the Sea Eagles.
While the Warriors have lost three on the trot, they’ve all been against top 8 sides and they’ve had a chance to win all three.
Manly followed a 32-20 win over the Bulldogs with a disappointing 42-24 loss at home against the Gold Coast.
A hamstring injury for RTS will see Hiku play fullback. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is back on the bench and Herbert will return on the wing. For Manly, Tom Trbojevic’s luckless run of injuries has continued and the improving Jack Gosiewski is out as well.
The Warriors really don’t deserve to be underdogs here against a Manly team that has given up 30+ points in four of their last five games. Get aboard the Warriors for one last win in 2020!
Prediction: Warriors WIN @ $2.24
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm
Sunday September 27 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 4:05pm
Can the Dragons beat a reserve-grade Melbourne team?
St. George have lost their last four and simply cannot wait for 2020 to be over.
Melbourne sealed up 2nd spot with a 50-22 win over the Tigers last week and have nothing to gain this week.
In team selections, the Dragons have lost Ben Hunt to suspension and Corey Norman has been dropped. While at Melbourne, they’ve opted to rest ten key players and that’ll give the Storm’s lesser likes plenty of game time before the finals.
It wouldn’t really surprise anyone if the reeling Dragons managed to lose to a reserve grade team. But it’s also hard to see a high scoring affair with so much firepower missing from the Storm’s attack so we’ll back the points unders to close out the regular season.
Prediction: Under 44 Points @ $1.90
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For more free sports betting tips head to www.betking.com.au where you’ll also find an independent PlayUp Review.
