NRL Best Bets, May 18
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Titans
Head-To-Head
There isn’t a lot of value in the head-to-head markets this week, with five of the eight favourites $1.45 or under.
We’ve landed on the Gold Coast Titans at $1.78 as they attempt to return to the winners’ stall at Accor Stadium following their 20-point loss to the Knights on Sunday.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from the Titans, who landed significant blows to Parramatta and Manly in the previous fortnight but simply ran out of legs against a Knights team coming off the bye.
With Erin Clark back from a finger injury, expect the Titans to hit back on the Bulldogs’ home soil.
Suggested Bet:
Gold Coast to win at $1.78
Dolphins vs. Melbourne Storm
Handicap
Despite the Storm’s impressive eight-point victory over the Broncos, we’re backing the well-rested Dolphins to cover the +6.5 handicap at home.
Fresh off the Round 11 bye, the Dolphins will welcome Jesse Bromwich, Brenko Lee and Ray Stone back from injury.
They found some of their best form under Wayne Bennett with two wins from their past three games, including a 20-point demolition of the in-form Sharks during Magic Round.
The Storm returned to the winners’ column themselves with a home victory over the Broncos, but an injury cloud over Nelson Asofa-Solomona and an unflattering away record of 2-2 gives us additional confidence in the Dolphins.
Suggested Bet:
Dolphins (+6.5) at $1.90
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers
Totals
This is set to be the Thursday night shootout NRL fans deserve, with the rampaging Panthers taking on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
While the market predicts the Panthers to back up their monstrous 44-point triumph over the Roosters, either way, we’re expecting a high-scoring affair with Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars taking on Dylan Edwards, Stephen Crichton, and Brian To’o.
Brisbane matches have averaged 42 points over the past month, while the Panthers drove home 48 of their own against the Roosters.
Suggested Bet:
Over (+39.5) at $1.87
William Kennedy
Anytime Scorer
The fourth-placed Cronulla will look to make it five wins from their past six when they host the Knights on Saturday afternoon.
With the line set at 46.5, it’s expected to be a high-scoring operation from both teams, and we’re backing William Kennedy to add to his 10 tries from 10 games at $1.93.
He’s scored just once since driving home a treble in Round Eight, making his hunger for the line as insatiable as his price.
Suggested Bet:
W. Kennedy anytime try scorer at $1.93
South Sydney vs. Parramatta Eels
Same Game Multi
The Rabbitohs are on a roll at the moment, with five consecutive wins launching them above the Broncos and into top spot on the ladder.
They’re winning, and they’re winning well, with their previous three by 20, 16 and 26 points, respectively.
We expect the scoring to flow and the Bunnies to notch their sixth straight.
- Leg 1: Souths to win
- Leg 2: Over 43.5
- Leg 3: M. Sivo score anytime
- Leg 4: L. Mitchell score anytime
- Total: $7.00
