Round 4 of the NRL season awaits us this Easter long weekend, and although a couple of matches appear one-sided, they also offer some good betting opportunities and provide some of our best bets of the round.
The team at Before You Bet like the value on offer and have found their best NRL tips for Round 4 right here.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Penrith Panthers
Thursday April 1, Lottoland
As the bookies suggest, this match is predicted to be extremely one sided with one of the top teams in the competition in the Panthers, taking on the struggling Sea Eagles. The Panthers remain one of only two teams with a perfect 3-0 record to start the 2021 season while the Sea Eagles are on the opposite end of the spectrum and are in search of their first win. Penrith will be flying high after a hard-fought win against the Storm last week and have had a full seven-day turnaround to prepare for this match tonight. Manly have struggled to fire a shot this year and it is glaringly obvious how desperate they are to have Tommy Turbo back in the team. Nathan Cleary returns to the halves for Penrith in another boost for their side and I think they are going to be far too strong in this match.
With that being said, Manly return to Lottoland for just the second time this season and will be desperate to string together a decent performance for their home crowd. Dry weather predicted all week means we might see some attacking and fast ball movement and I think there will be plenty of points. Hoping Manly can find some form to contribute to the points total but would not be surprised if Penrith covered it all on their own.
TIP: H2H/Total Points Double – Panthers/Over 40.5 Points – $1.90 at PlayUp
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos
Friday April 2, AAMI Park Melbourne
Again we have another match which many are predicting to be extremely one-sided and for good reason. The Storm went down narrowly to the Panthers without star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen while the Broncos battled their way towards their first win of the season against a woeful Bulldogs side. I cannot remember the last time Melbourne lost three straight games under Craig Bellamy and there is no way that will be happening here tonight. In fact, I am expecting the Storm to come out and make a statement after some critics have questioned their quality to win games without Cameron Smith. They get the perfect opportunity to answer back here as they return to AAMI Park where their record is incredible. Papenhuyzen returns which will give them that added spark which they lacked in attack last week and I can’t see the Broncos defence being able to stop this clinical attack.
Brisbane are also having to deal with the recent COVID outbreak back home and face uncertainty in what is going to happen for their season. I can’t see them scoring many points tonight in an attack which has looked average at best with their halves struggling to make an impact. Keen to be with the Storm to put in a big performance.
TIP: Melbourne Storm (-19.5) – $1.85 at PlayUp
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday 4th April, Newcastle
Pretty keen to tip the outsiders here in the Dragons and this looks one of the best value bets of the whole round. St George have been playing well and now sit 5th on the ladder with two straight wins. They looked impressive last week putting Manly to the sword in a big win and that will give them a huge amount of confidence. Obviously losing Ben Hunt to injury is a massive blow but they showed they’ve got plenty of talent throughout their line up to put on points when they need to.
On the other hand, the Knights were woeful last week here at home and you’d expect they have to bounce back. With that being said, you can argue they are probably short enough at the moment as clear favourites and I just can’t back them at the sort of price. The Dragons appeal as some of the best outsiders of the round and I think they can give the Knights another scare up in Newcastle.
TIP: Dragons +7.5 – $1.90 with PlayUp
Other NRL Tips
Rabbitohs 13+ – $1.39
Sharks -8.5 – $1.90
Raiders 1-12 – $2.90
Roosters 1-12 – $2.85
Eels -9.5 – $1.85