The following are previews with betting tips for Round 14 of the 2018 NRL season.
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Raiders v PanthersFri, Jun 8, 6:00pm |
In the aftermath of State-of-Origin, the Raiders will hope to capitalise on representative fatigue to take a victory over the competition leading Panthers this Friday night. Canberra will be fresh after enjoying their first bye last week, while the Panthers’ non-representative players also enjoyed a week off.
The Raiders have named the same squad that earned an impressive last-start win over Manly – including QLD bench forward Josh Papalii – while Penrith have named NSW stars Nathan Cleary, James Maloney, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tyrone Peachey to back up from Origin I. Kaide Ellis will also replace Jack Hetherington on the bench in an otherwise unchanged outfit.
Do not be surprised if any of the five Origin players named to take the field sit on the side-lines. If Penrith have their full representative quartet backing up – particularly both their halves – Canberra are in for a tough task but the mental and physical toll for the Panthers’ representative rookies may swing the contest. Could go either way but expect Penrith to get the win.
Betting Tip: Panthers Head to Head @ $1.94 (Unibet)
Titans v RabbitohsFri, Jun 8, 7:50pm |
The Rabbitohs enjoyed an upset win over the Sharks last week – a victory made more impressive given the absence of their four Origin representatives. Souths will be a tough task for a struggling Titans outfit who last produced a disappointing 34-14 result against the Roosters in round 12 but backing up from a bye, Gold Coast will be fresh facing their Origin fatigued opposition.
Souths have named Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Angus Crichton to return from Origin duties but any of the four could drop out – particularly Gagai after suffering a finger injury during the QLD Origin camp. Alex Johnston will also return at fullback in a welcome boost for South Sydney.
The Titans have named Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow to back up from Origin I. Phillip Sami and Will Matthews will also join the side on the wing and in the second row in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Despite their Origin toll, Souths should have the ascendancy over a struggling Titans. The Rabbitohs proved last week they can perform without their Origin players so barring an injury crisis expect South Sydney to get the win.
Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -6.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
Sea Eagles v WarriorsSat, Jun 9, 3:00pm |
Manly’s form resurgence that included big wins over the Storm and Broncos was halted by disappointing consecutive losses against the Raiders and Cowboys in their last two games. They will now face a Warriors outfit fresh from a bye and burning from their own humbling 30-10 last start loss to the Rabbitohs.
Jake and Tom Trbojevic will back up from Origin to take their usual positions in the starting side as Taniela Paseka also joins the interchange. Meanwhile, Warriors’ faithful will welcome the long-awaited return of halfback Shaun Johnson as Isaiah Papali’I returns in the back-row.
The Warriors have responded very well to losses so far this season and will be eager to return to the winner’s circle after producing some poor results in recent times. While they still retain their top-four position, they are far from comfortable and coach Stephen Kearney will be looking for more consistency from his squad. Manly should be fired up for a big performance but still short on troops, expect the Kiwis to take the points.
Betting Tip: Warriors -2.5 @ $1.92 (Crownbet)
Knights v RoostersSat, Jun 9, 5:30pm |
The Knights have the unenviable task of facing a Roosters outfit who have enjoyed impressive consecutive wins over the Titans and Tigers but will head into the match confident after a big 30-4 victory over the Eels in their last game. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Novacastrians but both sides will be highly motivated heading into the contest.
The Roosters’ Origin quartet of Dylan Napa, Latrell Mitchell, Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco will return to the tri-colours’ starting line-up with no other changes named. The Knights have made only one change to their squad as Herman Ese’Ese replaces Jacob Lilleyman in the front-row.
The ‘Chooks’ will head into the contest as heavy favourites but could be missing key personnel if any of their Origin players fail to back-up. Their opposition produced a scintillating attacking display against Parramatta in their last outing, but they will need to match the Roosters’ intent in their defence if they are a chance to win. Roosters to get the points.
Betting Tip: Roosters -8.0 @ $1.92 (Crownbet)
Eels v CowboysSat, Jun 9, 7:30pm |
Saturday night will see two desperate teams face-off as both North Queensland and Parramatta look to push outside the bottom-four. The Cowboys will head into the match confident – despite sitting 3rd last on the competition ladder – after a dominant win over the Sea Eagles last week, while the Eels produced yet another disappointing performance in a 30-4 capitulation against the Knights.
Jarryd Hayne will make his injury return at centre with Corey Norman also joining the side at halfback to cover the injured Mitch Moses. Tim Mannah and debutant Reed Mahoney have also been named on the bench. North Queensland’s Origin trio of Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess will all return in the starting side with Matt Scott also returning from suspension.
The Cowboys will head into the match as favourites and will hope to turn a new leaf after an encouraging win last week. Any of their Origin stars could drop out but barring any massive changes to their squad, North Queensland should take the win against the struggling Eels.
Betting Tip: Cowboys -7.5 @ $1.92 (Sportsbet)
Sharks v TigersSun, Jun 10, 2:00pm |
After both teams taking the field conceded disappointing losses to the highly rated Rabbitohs and Roosters last week, both the Tigers and Cronulla will head into this match highly motivated and looking to push up the competition ladder with the knowledge their limited representative toll gives them an edge during the State-of-Origin period.
Only one player on the field will be backing up from Origin I as Valentine Holmes returns at fullback for the Sharks at the expense of Sosaia Feki. Jack Williams will also join the interchange in an otherwise unchanged squad. The Tigers have named only one change with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak replacing David Nofoaluma on the wing.
Cronulla will enter the match as favourites but there will not be much between these two sides on the field. Both are capable of top-four level form but have yet to produce consistent results, particularly against top-eight teams. Could go either way but expect the Sharks to get the points.
Betting Tip: Sharks -4.5 @ $1.92 (Ladbrokes)
Storm v BroncosSun, Jun 10, 4:10pm |
Brisbane face a huge test this week against a Melbourne Storm outfit who have been in poor form in recent times – relative to the club’s lofty standards. The Victorians always lift against the Broncos and fresh from a bye and last-start field goal win over the Cowboys expect Melbourne to flex their considerable muscle. The Broncos have somewhat recovered from their woeful start to the season after encouraging wins over the Roosters and Eels and with the bye easing the injury toll at the club expect a high-quality contest.
The Storm have named their full Origin quartet of Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers and Felise Kaufusi to take the field with Billy Slater absent after suffering a hamstring injury in Maroons camp. Ryan Hoffman and Christian Welch will also return on the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Brisbane have also named their full Origin contingent to return with Anthony Milford, James Roberts, Josh McGuire and Andrew McCullough set to back up. Alex Glenn also returns from a knee injury in a big boost for the club.
Melbourne boast a dominant record over the Broncos but the fatigue of State of Origin and Brisbane’s returning players may even the field. Expect a big performance from Cameron Smith who will have benefitted enormously from a week off as Melbourne take the points over the Broncos.
Betting Tip: Broncos +7.5 @ $1.91 (Unibet)
Bulldogs v DragonsMon, Jun 11, 4:00pm |
The Bulldogs have the unenviable task of facing the equal competition leaders in the Dragons this Monday night with all four Origin rookies in Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell and Jack De Belin set to take the field. St George will be fired up after their disappointing round 12 loss to Penrith and fresh from a bye.
Once again, St George have the luxury of naming an unchanged squad, while the Bulldogs will be without Kieran Foran as Michael Lichaa returns at hooker. David Klemmer will back-up from Origin I as Aiden Tolman also returns from injury on the bench.
The Dragons will enter the contest as heavy favourites given their position on the ladder. Canterbury are also backing up from a bye but facing their third consecutive loss, there are concerning signs for the ‘Dogs after a disappointing loss to the Tigers in round 12. Barring a major upset, the Dragons should get the points.
Betting Tip: Dragons -6.0 @ $1.92 (Crownbet)
Best Bet
Rabbitohs -6.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)