NRL Round 26 Betting

By Nick Haslem - August 31, 2010  

Last week was the best week for betting on the Rugby League in a number of weeks for both myself and our in-house tipper Deeross. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties we weren’t able to post the tips for the week. I scored 7/8, losing out on the Souths upset over Parramatta. Deeross scored 8/8, with no fingernails left after the Penrith victory last night.

We’re on fire at the moment (especially Deeross), so we’ll try to continue that form for the last week of the NRL regular season, into the finals.

Centrebet get their odds out first, so if you want to get on the punt early this week, they’re the best option. We’ll add the margin betting odds as they become available.

Brisbane Broncos vs Canberra Raiders

The Broncos look gone for all money at the moment. Without Lockyer they look no chance to come close to winning a match.

The Raiders have won something like 6/7 and are setting the competition alight. After a strong victory against the Dragons two weeks ago, they put a shalacking on the Cowboys last weekend.
Broncos vs Raiders Betting

Head to Head Odds

Broncos: $2.75
Raiders: $1.44

Margin Betting

Broncos 1-12: $3.70
Broncos 13+: $6.40

Raiders 1-12: $2.95
Raiders 13+: $2.95
Tips and Predictions

My prediction is for the Raiders to continue their charge towards the finals series. They look brutal and dangerous at the moment. If their backs can continue to put points on the board then they won’t have any dramas. They arguably have the best pack in the game, so look for Campese and Dugan to pile on the pressure.

Prediction: Raiders 13+

Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers

These two teams are fighting it out for a second place finish. The Titans must win by 19 points or more to snatch it away from the Tigers.

After a disappointing loss to the Sharks last week the Titans return home to find some form against a Tigers outfit that finds a way to win no matter how badly they are playing.

This match is hard to predict because they have contrasting styles of play. The Titans are much more consistent and reliable. How much of an influence this has over the Tigers remains to be seen.

The Tigers were struggling for large periods against a depleted Storm team on the weekend. Nevertheless, they still managed to come up with another win.
Titans vs Tigers Betting

Head to Head Odds

Titans: $1.53
Tigers: $2.50

Margin Betting

Titans 1-12: $3.00
Titans 13+: $3.10

Tigers 1-12: $3.60
Tigers 13+: $5.85
Tips and Predictions

I can’t understand how the Titans are heavy favourites in this match. Their home record is nothing to write home about this year and they are coming off a loss to the Sharks.

Even though the Tigers have been unconvincing, they’re regularly finding ways to win their matches.

Prediction: Tigers 1-12

EDIT: It looks like the Tigers have a significant amont of injuries for this match. So I’m halting my final decision on this match until later in the week.

Parramatta Eels vs New Zealand Warriors

Parramatta came up with yet another disappointing performance last week against the Rabbitohs. I have no faith in this team, who on paper should be much higher on the table (pre-season favourites).

The Warriors have been solid. They continue to turn up for each other and flogged a dismal Broncos team last week. Questions continue to be raised about their ability to win away from home. Will they struggle at Parramatta this week?
Eels vs Warriors Betting

Head to Head Betting

Eels: $1.90
Warriors: $1.90

Margin Betting

Eels 1-12: $3.10
Eels 13+: $4.35

Warriors 1-12: $3.10
Warriors 13+: $4.35
Tips and Predictions

The Warriors came close to beating Manly at Brookvale in their last away game and put in a good performance. I think they’ll be too good for the patchy Eels. If previous matches are anything to go by, the Eels will only play for a 20 minute period. Warriors half time lead will be a good bet here.

Prediction: Warriors 13+:

North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters

This match is hardly worth discussing. The Cowboys have been a disgrace this year and the Roosters need to win this match to take some sort of form into the finals series.
Cowboys vs Roosters Betting

Head to Head Betting

Cowboys: $3.35
Roosters: $1.32

Margin Betting

Cowboys 1-12: $4.95
Cowboys 13+: $8.80

Roosters 1-12: $3.10
Roosters 13+: $2.10
Tips and Predictions

I expected the Roosters to be at shorter odds than what they’re currently at. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll win this match.

Prediction: Roosters 13+

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks

The Penny Panthers were less than convincing in the victory over the Bulldogs last night. They hardly deserved to win a match in which they were blown off the park early on, and then lacklustre in attack trying to claw back points.

The Sharks have been playing to a standard that is expected of the team. The sent off Barrett and Covell in style as they muscled their way to victory over a previously red-hot Titans.
Panthers vs Sharks Betting

Head to Head Odds

Panthers: $1.34
Sharks: $3.25

Margin Betting Odds

Panthers 1-12: $3.00
Panthers 13+: $2.20

Sharks 1-12: $4.75
Sharks 13+: $8.80

I think the Panthers are too short here. Last week’s win takes them to 3/8, and they give me no confidence in tipping them. They do have a lot to play for and are at home, so you’d like to think they’ll get up in this match.

I’d love to tip the Sharks here, but it’s almost impossible when the Panthers are playing for a top four spot. Teams that beat the Sharks tend to do it by a fair margin, so a 13+ victory is reasonable to expect.

Prediction: Panthers 13+

Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights

This is the last match we’ll see all the stars of Melbourne playing together. It’s a sellout and everyone is expecting the Storm to put on a great performance.

The Knights almost pulled off a victory against the Dragons last week as they continue to impress every round.
Storm vs Knights Betting

Head to Head Odds

Storm: $1.08
Knights: $8.00

Margin Betting Odds

Storm 1-12: $4.40
Storm 13+: $1.36

Knights 1-12: $9.50
Knights 13+: $22.00
Tips and Predictions

The Storm are way, way too short here. $1.08 is just insane for them, especially against one of the form teams of the competition.

I get it, it’s the Storm’s last home game and the Knights put on their best performances when they play at home. But if I were to put percentages on who will win this match, it would look like 70/30.

Get on the Knights with a 21.5 point start paying $1.90 right now!!! Best bet of the season.

Prediction: Storm 1-12

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Manly have played pretty well in the past couple of weeks, especially in the first half against the Roosters.

The Bulldogs will be deflated after giving everything they had last night and still coming out of it as losers. Backing up after a Monday night match is tough as well.
Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs Betting

Head to Head Odds

Sea Eagles: $1.44
Bulldogs: $2.75

Margin Betting Odds

Sea Eagles 1-12: $2.90
Sea Eagles 13+: $2.66

Bulldogs 1-12: $4.05
Bulldogs 13+: $7.20
Tips and Predictions

Manly should win this match without too much trouble. The Bulldogs played their grand final last week and don’t have anything to lift for anymore. The Sea Eagles must win or risk dropping out of the eight.

Prediction: Sea Eagles 13+:

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Dragons have won the minor premiership for the second consecutive year and will be hoping for a change in fortune this finals series. They’ve looked pretty shaky in the past couple of weeks, and could have easily lost to the Knights last week.

South kept their slim hopes of a finals berth alive with an upset win over the Eels. They must now beat the Dragons and hope the Broncos beat the Raiders.
Dragons vs Rabbitohs Betting

Head to Head Odds

Dragons: $1.28
Rabbitohs: $3.65

Margin Betting Odds

Dragons 1-12: $3.05
Dragons 13+: $2.00

Rabbitohs 1-12: $5.25
Rabbitohs 13+: $10.50
Tips and Predictions

Wayne Bennett will take care of the Dragons slipping into fairy land in the second half of their matches. I don’t expect that to happen anymore.

The Dragons will be far to strong here at home to the Bunnies who have been unfortunate this season with all their injuries.

NRL Round 26 Best Bets

Get on the Knights with the 21.5 start with against the Storm. The best value bet is the Tigers at $2.50 against the Titans. The safest bets are the Dragons at $1.28 and Roosters at $1.32.

There is also good value about the Warriors at $1.90.
Prediction: Dragons 13+