The Top 8 is starting to take shape and the team at BetKing are here to provide you with their preview of all the NRL action in Round 7. Check out their NRL betting tips below!
Thursday
7:50pm Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
It’s a top 8 battle to kick off Round 7 with the Panthers taking on the Rabbitohs!
Despite a poor recent record over the Storm, the Panthers were excellent in a 21-14 victory last Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs continued their run of good form with another crushing win, this time over the Warriors.
There are no team changes for the Panthers after last week’s win. South Sydney have named James Roberts on the bench but we’ll see if he actually plays. Tom Amone is out for the season with a knee injury.
This should be a really close game between two in-form sides. Considering the last 3 meetings have been decided by 4 or fewer points, we like the chances of another tight finish this Thursday.
Prediction: Either Team Under 6.5 Points @ $2.60
Friday
6:00pm Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors
How will the Warriors respond after sacking their coach?
The Storm should be fired up on Friday night after a poor performance against the Panthers last week. They’ve also had to move this game to Sydney after it was scheduled at AAMI Park.
It’s been a tough 2020 for the Warriors under the circumstances. But after a 40-12 loss to Souths, Stephen Kearney lost his job and we’ll see how the Warriors players react on the field.
Melbourne get Addo-Carr back on the wing in place of the inexperienced Sevi. Hughes is back at halfback and that sees Jacks miss out. For the Warriors, Karl Lawton gets the start at hooker. Jack Murchie moves into the starting 13 for Katoa. Ken Maumalo is also back on the wing.
The Warriors are usually a tough opponent for the Storm and we believe the New Zealanders will aim up defensively in a low scoring clash.
Prediction: UNDER 41.5 points @ $1.90
7:55pm Sydney Roosters vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
We have a traditional rivalry in prime time as the second match on Friday night with the Roosters clashing with the Dragons.
The Roosters continued their rise up the ladder (4th) with a gritty win over the Eels at Bankwest last week.
Are the Dragons back after 2 straight wins? Well they’ve only played the Titans and Sharks so the red-hot Roosters will be a tough challenge.
Despite a head injury last week, James Tedesco has been named at fullback at the moment. Sam Verrills and Lindsay Collins are back on the bench for Tupouniua/Aubusson. James Graham’s NRL career is over after his move back to St. Helens. The Dragons have also lost Pereira on the wing to suspension.
We can’t see the Dragons stopping the Roosters juggernaut and will continue to back the Overs when the tri-colours are involved.
Prediction: OVER 42 points @ $1.90
Saturday
3:00pm North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights
Super Saturday kicks off in North Queensland with the Cowboys and the Knights.
The Cowboys were absolutely dreadful in the first half against the Tigers last week which showed in a 34-0 deficit after 40 minutes. At least they bothered to show up after halftime before going down 36-20.
Newcastle got the job done against the Broncos last Thursday and will be well rested to tackle the Cowboys.
For now, the Cowboys have made just one change as Cotter replaces Jenson on the bench. The Knights lose Bradman Best and Enari Tuala will come in.
North Queensland will hopefully respond after last week’s performance but they’ve got serious defensive issues at the moment. So the Knights should take full advantage in dry conditions, which should see the Over total salute.
Prediction: OVER 43.5 points @ $1.80
5:30pm Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans
The Queensland Derby takes place at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday.
A horror season continued for the Broncos last Thursday as they barely troubled the Knights in a comfortable defeat.
It’s a familiar story for the Titans as they sit on the bottom of the ladder and were poor against the Dragons last week.
For the Broncos, Tesi Niu gets the start at fullback. Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler have both been suspended. Copley is back in the centres for the Titans. Mitch Rein also returns into the hooker position.
The Titans have won the last 2 meetings at Suncorp so we don’t mind their chances against an injury riddled and low on confidence Broncos side.
Prediction: Titans +8 @ $1.80
7:35pm Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders
The highlight of Super Saturday from Bankwest Stadium sees the Eels take on the Raiders.
The Eels undefeated start to the season is over after their loss to the Roosters but they can hold their heads up high in a tough loss.
Meanwhile, Canberra just couldn’t get past the banged up Sea Eagles last week in a disappointing 14-6 loss.
Parramatta have lost Nathan Brown to suspension and Kane Evans has a calf injury. The Raiders are unchanged.
This should be a tough and grinding battle between two top 8 sides. Canberra have struggled to score points lately so we like the Unders here.
Prediction: UNDER 36 points @ $2.00
Sunday
4:05pm Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Manly reignite their rivalry with Cronulla on Sunday afternoon.
It was another huge win by the Sea Eagles under adversity last week. Despite losing 2 players in the first few minutes and Turbo Tom to a hammy, they held the Raiders to just 6 points.
The Sharks held on to beat the Bulldogs by 2 points last Sunday and kept their top 8 hopes alive as a result.
Some big outs for the home side as Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker are injured. But they do get Marty Taupau back. The Sharks are unchanged and will give Andrew Fifita the start at prop.
It’s hard not to be impressed by the resilient Sea Eagles at the moment. So we’ll take them to just edge the Sharks this Sunday as they’ve won the last 4 meetings.
Prediction: Sea Eagles to WIN @ $1.61
6:30pm Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers
Important bottom 8 clash to end the round between the Bulldogs and the Tigers.
Wests came alive last Saturday as they smashed the Cowboys edge defence in a 36-20 victory. But they would be disappointed in the second half after leading 34-0 after 40 minutes.
Another tough loss for the Bulldogs has them sitting 2nd last on the ladder. A loss on Sunday could end their season so they’ll be extra desperate to get a win.
Christian Crichton is out with suspension and Kerrod Holland moves into the starting lineup. They could also add Tolman/Meaney in the coming days. The Tigers have lost the in-form Alex Twal. Jennings and Musgrove are also out injured.
Canterbury have been a thorn in the Tigers side after 3 straight wins. We’re not sold on the Tigers just yet either so we’ll be backing the Dogs to cover.
Prediction: Bulldogs +5.5 @ $1.90
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