The NRL will continue in Round 4 with an abundance of rivalry matchups and top 8 battles. The team at Before You Bet are here to provide us with their best NRL betting tips for the round.
Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters
Thursday June 4 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:50pm
Another big test awaits the Brisbane Broncos this Thursday night as they take on the Roosters.
Brisbane were simply outclassed by the Eels in the new season opener last Thursday as they could only manage a single try in the 34-6 defeat. They have plenty of injuries at the moment and the Kotoni Staggs suspension doesn’t help either.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are on the board in 2020 after a 28-12 win over Souths. James Tedesco was at his electric best in the victory and the Sydneysiders welcomed back Boyd Cordner in style.
In team news, the Broncos have plenty of problems. Firstly, Alex Glenn is out with injury, Jake Turpin could miss with a knee injury and Staggs is missing in the centres. So the young brigade of Herbie Farnworth, Fanitesi Niu and Ethan Bullemor will get their opportunity. The Roosters can welcome back the likes of Siosiua Taukeiaho and Mitchell Aubusson. As well as Victor Radley after his dangerous throw charge was overturned.
This is a tough ask for the “baby” Broncos up against an elite team in the Roosters, especially defensively. So after the Broncos gave up 34 points last week, the Roosters could easily score 30+ and that should see the Overs salute as the best bet this Thursday.
Prediction: Total Points over 38.0 @ $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors
Friday June 5 | Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney | 6:00pm
Did we witness a new Warriors team last Saturday? We’ll find out on Friday night as they meet the Panthers.
New Zealand were clinical in their 18-0 shutout of the Dragons on the Central Coast, highlighted by the fact they completed 46 of 48 sets! So it looks like the Warriors may just enjoy setting up camp in NSW this season.
Considering the Knights were down 2 players inside the first 20 minutes, last week’s draw was a disappointing result for the Panthers. They obviously miss Nathan Cleary and that showed near the goal-line as they lacked direction/creativity.
It’s good news for the Panthers in team news as Liam Martin returns to the bench and will strengthen the forward pack. Meanwhile, the Warriors will be without Hiku (ribs) and Paasi (suspension). So Lawton starts in the centres and Faamausili/Curran have been selected on the bench.
There was a lot to like about the Warriors performance last week and despite a poor recent record against the Panthers, they’re usually a confident side after a win and we’ll back them to cover here
Prediction: Warriors +6 @ $1.90
Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday June 5 | AAMI Park, Melbourne | 7:55pm
Both the Storm and Rabbitohs will be looking to bounce back from disappointing results in Round 3.
Starting with Melbourne, they were incredibly sloppy and had plenty of chances against the Raiders. But ultimately, you have to give credit to Canberra’s elite defence. The Storm usually don’t put in two poor performances in a row so be assured that Craig Bellamy will have them focused on the task this Friday.
It’s a similar story for the Rabbitohs as they went down to the Roosters last Friday. They miss the creativity of Cody Walker in attack and they’ll need more from Adam Reynolds this Friday.
In team news, Nelson Asofa-Solomona will spend the week on the sidelines (suspension) and Christian Welch will take his place in the starting lineup. Ryley Jacks has also been added to the bench. Souths would like James Roberts to return this week but it does look unlikely.
While the Storm holds an incredible 15-0 record against Souths in Melbourne. These two sides will be keen to score points after last week and the last 4 meetings have easily beaten 38.5 point total on offer here.
Prediction: Total Points over 38.5 @ $1.90
Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles
Saturday June 6 | Bankwest Stadium, Sydney | 5:30pm
Two premiership favourites meet on Super Saturday at Bankwest.
The Eels return to fortress Bankwest Stadium after once again embarrassing the Broncos, 34-6. The pleasing sign for Parra fans is the fact they’ve conceded just 14 points in 3 games thus far. Which has them easily sitting atop the NRL ladder.
Manly were simply on another level as they trounced the Bulldogs last week 32-6. They have all the tools to threaten for the premiership so this will be a good test against the in-form Eels.
Both sides come into Saturday’s meeting with a clean bill of health and unchanged lineups.
This should be a great contest between two in-form sides and that should see a close finish after 80 minutes. While the Eels have an 8-2 SU record against Manly, the Sea Eagles are finally having some luck on the injury front and that should help them as the season progresses. Like the value for either team by under 6.5 points here.
Prediction: Tri-bet: Either Team Under 6.5 Points @ $2.60
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday June 6 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7:35pm
The desperate Cronulla Sharks travel to North QLD this Saturday for a meeting with Valentine Holmes’ Cowboys.
Starting with the home side, they smashed the Titans once again on Friday night and early predictions of a top 8 finish look spot on. The addition of Holmes and Drinkwater has given the Cowboys a lethal attacking combination. But they will miss Jason Taumalolo on Saturday with a knee injury.
The Sharks are 0-3 and simply need to win this game. They were inconsistent against the Tigers in Round 3 and will need to be at their best defensively to stop the home side.
Matt Moylan made a successful return from injury last week and will now partner Johnson in the halves after Townsend’s injury. For the Cowboys, Molo will come into the starting side and McGuire takes over from Taumalolo in the #13 jersey.
The Cowboys will bring a fast pace to Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday and we’re not sure if the Sharks will be able to keep up defensively.
Prediction: Cowboys -2.5 @ $1.85
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights
Sunday June 7 | Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney | 4:05pm
A top 4 battle awaits on Sunday as the Raiders meet the Knights at Campbelltown Stadium.
Once again, the Raiders travelled home from Melbourne with a big win under their belt. Their defence was especially good as they kept to Storm to a single try and the Raiders have found a halfback in George Williams. So they’ll be looking for their first 4-0 start in 15 years.
What a great effort by the Knights to secure a draw against the Panthers despite losing Pearce/Watson in the early stages. Their forward pack, led by David Klemmer, never stopped and Bradman Best scored a double in the 14-14 draw.
It looks like Mitchell Pearce will be able to play this Sunday and the other good news is the return of Ponga from suspension. They will miss Connor Watson but the new addition of Andrew McCullough will take over the hooker duties. Canberra will move Bailey Simonsson to the wing and Rapana to the bench in their only change.
We’ll be looking for a defensive struggle this Sunday. The Raiders have allowed just 18 points this season (6 ppg). Meanwhile, the Knights held the Panthers to 14 points last week despite being down 2 on the bench.
Prediction: Total Points under 40.5 @ $1.90
Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers
Sunday June 7 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 6:30pm
The Tigers head to Brisbane this Sunday and will look to shore up a top 8 position against the dreadful Titans.
Wests kicked off the new season with a 28-16 win over the Sharks. The return of halfback Luke Brooks was a huge boost and the addition of hooker Harry Grant from Melbourne looks to be a great move.
Not many positives can be said about the Titans at the moment. They’re the worst defensive team in the comp (106 points allowed) and also rank dead last for points scored (6 per game).
As a result of poor performances, the Titans are mixing things up. Nathan Peats, Jarrod Wallace, Jai Whitbread and Jonus Pearson have all been dropped. Tyrone Roberts will start at fullback and Erin Clark takes over at hooker. The Tigers will be unchanged this Sunday.
Hard to back an upset for the Titans at the moment, Tigers to secure a comfortable win.
Prediction: Tigers -6.5 @ $1.90
Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Dragons
Monday June 8 | Bankwest Stadium, Sydney | 4:05pm
The NRL action continues on Monday with a Queens Birthday clash between the Dragons and Bulldogs.
Both the Dragons and Bulldogs were awful in Round 3. St. George lacked any creativity in their 18-0 loss against the Warriors. So Paul McGregor will need to find a spark soon. It’s a similar story for the Bulldogs after they were smashed by Manly 32-6 on Sunday.
The Dragons have made a significant team change as Corey Norman moves to fullback and Adam Clune comes into the side at halfback (despite a broken nose). Josh Kerr also moves into the starting lineup for Korbin Sims. For the Bulldogs, they welcome back Keiran Foran in the halves after a long stint on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
The Dragons and Bulldogs both looked like they were in preseason mode last week. Despite a few team changes, it’s hard to see many points being scored this Monday.
Prediction: Total Points under 38.5 @ $1.80For more sports betting and horse racing tips head to Before You Bet where you can also read an independent bookmaker review of PlayUp.
