NRL Best Bets, April 20
North Queensland vs. Newcastle
Head-To-Head
Newcastle at $2.09? Based on their recent form, we’re more than happy to part with the hard-earned at those odds.
The Knights, who will need to perform on the road, went within one point of the Panthers over the weekend after leading 14-6 at half-time. Before that, the Knights defeated the in-form Warriors by 10 and drew with the Sea Eagles in Manly.
There’s no doubt the Knights are perennially underrated this season, and with superstar Kalyn Ponga back for his first game since Round Two, $2.09 genuinely appears to be overs.
The Cowboys haven’t exactly set the world on fire to date, with their eight-point loss to the Warriors sending them down to the 16th spot on the ladder. They’ve now lost three on the trot, including their last home game to the Dolphins.
Suggested Bet:
Newcastle to win at $2.09
South Sydney vs. Penrith
Handicap
There’s always some trepidation for any team against the reigning champions, but the way the Rabbitohs have found form gives us the utmost confidence in their home clash with the Panthers.
After starting the year 2-3 from their first five games, the Bunnies have since gone on a tear with a 34-point win at Canterbury, franked only by their 22-point victory over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. Souths gave up two of the first three tries of the game before Campbell Graham’s second and a Latrell Mitchell masterclass kick-started a run of five consecutive scores.
The Panthers were made to work for their one-point win over the Knights – thank you Nathan Cleary – and while they’re expected to win this one, the Rabbitohs’ form provides too much value.
Suggested Bet:
South Sydney (+6.5) at $1.90
Melbourne Storm vs. NZ Warriors
Total Points
The Melbourne Storm and NZ Warriors will do battle on Anzac Day, and it’s safe to say it could be a thrilling, high-scoring affair at AAMI Park. Both sides have had very few issues finding the line so far in 2023, ranking sixth and ninth for points scored, respectively.
While the Storm could only muster eight points in their uncharacteristic loss to the Sea Eagles, they’ll go in with a far more settled line-up with Nick Meaney returning to fullback, Cam Munster back to the halves, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona named at prop.
The Warriors delivered a 22-14 win over the Cowboys, keeping their average score over the past three weeks at 26. They will only improve with the return of Marata Niukore.
Suggested Bet:
+42.5 total points at $1.90
Parramatta vs. Brisbane
Anytime Scorer
After lowering their colours to the Raiders in Round Six, the Broncos hit back with a 17-point victory against the Titans on the Gold Coast. Not only did the ladder leaders score seven tries, but they shared the love with seven separate try scorers.
With Thomas Flegler and Corey Oates back into Kevin Walters’ 17, the Broncos are fit and firing for their clash with the Eels.
Having scored four tries in the past three games, including a double against Wests, we simply can’t ignore the value Jordan Riki presents at $4.50.
