State of Origin has been decided with Game 2 going to the Blues and now we focus on more quality NRL action.
Eight games are on offer for punters this week, kicking off on Thursday night where the Dragons take on the Eels in a first vs last contest.
There are some stellar games on the card this week and we have free tips for every Round 16 clash.
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
Thursday 28/6/18
7:50pm St George Dragons vs. Parramatta Eels @ WIN Stadium
The Dragons are looking to continue their momentum this season with a win over the hapless Parramatta Eels.
Dragons’ fans haven’t had much to worry about this season and despite losing the odd game to quality opposition, they have looked solid and it’s unlikely that they’ll lose this Thursday night.
It comes as no surprise to see bookmakers have the Dragons as the $1.28 favourites and they should win this game, but the –9.5 line is where most of the betting action will reside.
It’s tough to back the Eels with any confidence so stick with the Dragons.
Betting tip: Dragons –9.5 @ $1.90 (BET NOW)
Dragons by 14
Friday 29/6/18
6:00pm New Zealand Warriors vs. Cronulla Sharks @ Mt Smart Stadium
Currently sitting in fourth position on the NRL ladder, the New Zealand Warriors are in a good position, but their consistency has waned over the last few weeks.
Making it harder this week will be the travel back from Denver for a few of the Warriors’ players. The likes of Issac Luke and Ken Maumalo will need to recover quickly from an unsuccessful venture to the states and that could catch them out this week.
Looking to make things harder for the home team will be the Sharks, who have also shown inconsistency this season. They sit seventh on the table and bookmakers have them as slight underdogs for this game.
It should be a close contest between two sides battling it out for a top eight spot.
Betting tip: Warriors to win @ $1.85 (BET NOW)
Warriors by 4
—
7:55pm Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm @ Allianz Stadium
Players returning from Origin duty could be the storyline for this game as some of the Roosters’ players might be feeling the pinch.
This has forced bookmakers to open the Storm as $1.71 favourites and despite playing away from home, there has been good action on the reigning premiers.
With the game being played in Adelaide, that could give the advantage to Melbourne, which should have a bigger fan base down south.
Cameron Munster returns from Origin duty for the Storm after having a good series and the Roosters have numerous players looking to back up. They could be without captain Boyd Cordner, who suffered a concussion on Sunday night and that would be a big loss.
This should be a blockbuster game and the Storm could come away with the two points.
Betting tip: Storm to win @ $1.71 (BET NOW)
Storm by 8
Saturday 30/6/18
3:00pm Penrith Panthers vs. Manly Sea Eagles @ Panthers Stadium
Things are going sweetly for the Panthers this season, but the same can’t be said for the Manly Sea Eagles.
Languishing in 14th spot on the ladder, the Sea Eagles will look to make a late-season run for the playoffs but it’s not about to get any easier. Facing the in-form Panthers will be one of their toughest tests to date and we’re expecting a solid end-of-season run from the Panthers.
They feature the New South Wales Blues’ halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, with the latter playing extremely well in the first two Origin games. Cleary was a touch understated but he’ll only get better with maturity.
Penrith should be too good against Manly.
Betting tip: Panthers -12 @ $1.90 (BET NOW)
Panthers by 16
—
5:30pm Newcastle Knights vs. Canterbury Bulldogs @ McDonald Jones Stadium
This might be a game between the 12th and 15th-placed sides but it should be more exciting than advertised.
One big reason will be the play of Kayln Ponga, who excited all fans on Sunday night for the Maroons and his future is set in the NRL. Ponga showed why he’s so highly regarded as the next big thing and he continues to play at that level for the Knights.
Facing the Bulldogs should ensure the Knights at least a chance of winning this game and they will get help from the roaring home crowd. That could be enough to see the Knights get over the line in what should be a close game.
Betting tip: Knights to win @ $1.71 (BET NOW)
Knights by 10
—
7:35pm Brisbane Broncos vs. Canberra Raiders @ Suncorp Stadium
A top eight position is on the line this Saturday night when the Broncos square off against the improving Canberra Raiders.
There hasn’t been much to get excited about for either team this season with both the Broncos and Raiders underperforming to date, but they still remain within ear shot of making the playoffs.
The loser of this game will either drop outside of the top eight or stay outside of the top eight and it’s hard to give any team the clear top billing. The Broncos have home field advantage and some young stars in their team but the Raiders always possess confidence.
This could be the upset game of the round where the Raiders cause the boil over.
Betting tip: Raiders to win @ $2.40 (BET NOW)
Raiders by 4
Sunday 1/7/18
2:00pm Wests Tigers vs. Gold Coast Titans @ Leichhardt Oval
Both teams have a good chance at making a run for the finals, especially the Tigers which were looking comfortable to start the season.
Some good defensive play was enough to see the Tigers secure a top-four position after the early rounds this season but some recent losses have stifled their success rate.
The Titans simply haven’t got going and although they have some good players on their side, it’s not enough to beat most NRL teams.
It’s not going to get much easier for the Titans and with the Tigers playing at Leichhardt Oval, they should be good enough to win.
Betting tip: Tigers to win @ $1.56 (BET NOW)
Tigers by 10
—
4:10pm South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. North Queensland Cowboys @ Barlow Park
It just hasn’t been a good season for the Cowboys and they could get another loss handed to them on Sunday afternoon.
They play the South Sydney Rabbitohs which have been on a tear this season and bookmakers have rightfully installed the Souths as the firm favourites for this game.
We’re expecting the Souths to outmuscle the Cowboys, which have been poor this season and the only impressive player has been Jason Taumalolo. Johnathan Thurston looks tired and out of answers, which has put the Cowboys on the back foot.
Rabbitohs should be taking this one with ease.
Betting tip: Rabbitohs –9.5 @ $1.90 (BET NOW)
Rabbitohs by 16
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
