There’s no shortage of headlines in Round 15 of the NRL season and all the action begins at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday with a top 4 battle between the Eels and the Storm. The team at Before You Bet are back with their best sports betting tips for NRL Round 15 below.
Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm
Thursday August 20 | Bankwest Stadium | 7:50pm
What a way to start the round with 2nd taking on 3rd on Thursday night footy!
Parramatta’s three-game winning streak ended with a 14-12 loss to the Dragons and the Eels will be aiming to bounce back on Thursday night.
Melbourne incredibly thrashed the Roosters 24-6 for their 8th straight win, despite missing Cam Munster and Cam Smith.
In team news, the Eels are unchanged. Meanwhile, Melbourne will lose Vunivalu and Finucane to injury. Jesse Bromwich has also been suspended for a week.
Parramatta seems a bit off at the moment and are one of many sides with a poor recent record against the Storm. Despite injuries to key positions, Melbourne still has an elite forward pack and that should be the difference in them covering the underdog line.
Prediction: Storm +4 @ $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Friday August 21 | Panthers Stadium | 6:00pm
The top-of-the-table Panthers battle the Sharks on Friday night footy.
The Panthers extended their winning streak to nine games on the weekend as they outlasted the Warriors 18-12.
Cronulla rebounded from a close loss to the Eels with a fairly comfortable victory over the Titans 30-18. They’ve now won 4 of their last 5 and look bound for finals.
There’s not much to talk about in terms of team changes as both sides will lineup with the same 17 as last week.
For a night game in Penrith, this total just looks too high so we’ll take the points unders.
Prediction: UNDER 44.5 Points @ $1.85
Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
Friday August 21 | Suncorp Stadium | 7:55pm
Two 2020 underperformers meet at Suncorp Stadium as the Broncos tackle the Dragons.
Brisbane lost their 5th straight game on Saturday night as the Raiders ran riot in the second half on their way to a 36-8 victory.
St. George ended Paul McGregor’s coaching reign with a gritty 14-12 victory over the Eels, which also kept their slim top 8 hopes alive.
In team news, the Broncos just can’t take a trick. Haas has been suspended, Croft has been dropped, Turpin and Flegler miss with injury. Milford is back from injury and Kahu will play in the centres. A huge boost for the Dragons as Paul Vaughan returns to the front row.
The Dragons have won their last three against Brisbane, including the last two at Suncorp. Without Haas, Brisbane will struggle to move the ball up the field and that should see St. George dominate.
Prediction: Dragons -10 @ $1.85
Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday August 22 | Cbus Super Stadium | 3:00pm
Super Saturday kicks off on the Gold Coast with the Titans and the Raiders.
Kevin Proctor’s 250th game will be one to remember after a fiery clash with the Sharks last week in the 30-18 defeat.
As expected, Canberra got their attack going against the Broncos last week in a comfortable 36-8 victory.
In team selections, the Titans have lost Jai Arrow to injury and could be without Kevin Proctor. However, wingers Anthony Don and Phillip Sami return to the lineup. Canberra are unchanged at this stage.
The Raiders have handled the Titans 24-6 and 21-0 in the last two meetings so we’d expect Canberra to easily win this matchup with the embattled Titans.
Prediction: Raiders -10.5 @ $1.90
Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters
Saturday August 22 | Leichhardt Oval | 5:30pm
It’s West versus East at Leichhardt Oval for our Saturday twilight game.
The Tigers escaped with the two points last week but it wasn’t pretty in a 29-28 win over the bottom-placed Bulldogs.
Last Thursday night, the Roosters were simply outclassed by the Storm 24-6 and have plenty more injury issues to deal with.
The Roosters will be without Keary, Lam and Aubusson. But Morris and Waerea-Hargreaves return from injury. Flanagan comes into the side at halfback. While for the Tigers, Alex Twal could be a late inclusion.
This total looks a bit high considering the Roosters injury issues and the Tigers don’t have a great scoring record against Sydney in the past.
Prediction: UNDER 42.5 Points @ $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Saturday August 22 | ANZ Stadium | 7:35pm
It’s a crucial matchup at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles.
While South Sydney won their 3rd straight game with a 31-30 win over the Cowboys last Saturday, they were sloppy in defence and made plenty of soft errors.
The top 8 hopes of the Sea Eagles are slipping away after three straight losses so they simply need to start winning the close games.
In team news, Souths lose Liam Knight to suspension and he’ll be replaced by Sironen. The injury bug continues at Manly with Brendan Elliot doing his ACL, but Marty Taupau is back from injury to strengthen the forward pack.
Taupau is a massive in for Manly so we’re tipping their run of close games continues in Round 15. Sea Eagles to cover in what should be a close finish.
Prediction: Sea Eagles +7.5 @ $1.90
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors
Sunday August 23 | ANZ Stadium | 2:00pm
The Bulldogs will look to get off the bottom of the ladder on Sunday against the Warriors.
It’s the story of the season for Canterbury after a 1 point defeat against the Tigers last week.
New Zealand really challenged the red-hot Panthers last week in the 18-12 loss so they’ll be expected to handle the Bulldogs.
In team selections, Will Hopoate is back for the Dogs and will play fullback. Tolman returns to the starting side alongside Doorey and Marshall-King at hooker. The Warriors will play Hayze Perham in the centres. Eliesa Katoa has been suspended and Isaiah Papali’i will get the start.
The Warriors are finishing off the season with some impressive form and we’re expecting them to comfortably beat the Bulldogs as they did in the last meeting (40-6).
Prediction: Warriors -2.5 @ $1.90
Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys
Sunday August 23 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 4:05pm
Newcastle will look to strengthen their top 8 position against the Cowboys on Sunday.
The Knights outlasted Manly in a great battle last week in the 26-24 win and have now won two on the trot.
It was a 7th straight defeat for the Cowboys last Saturday night in the 31-30 loss against Souths but pushing a top 8 side was a great sign for a young side.
Newcastle have lost Daniel Saifiti to a lingering knee injury, so his brother will come into the starting side. For the Cowboys, Reuben Cotter replaces Jake Granville on the bench.
The Cowboys shocked the Knights 32-20 earlier this season. So we believe this will be another high scoring affair played at a fast pace in Newcastle.
Prediction: OVER 45.5 Points @ $1.90
—
For more free sports betting tips head to www.beforeyoubet.com.au where you’ll also find an independent review of PlayUp.
