The Sydney Roosters take on a severely weakened Manly side in the opening game of round 20. Des Hasler’s men have been almost faultless at home this season, having won six of their seven matches at 4 Pines Park Stadium, but this looms as their toughest test to date.
Parramatta will be hoping to beat Penrith for the second time this season, after they emerged with a 22-20 victory over their local rivals back in round 9. Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers will try to recover from their heartbreaking defeat last weekend by collecting their fourth-straight win against the high-flying Brisbane Broncos.
Here’s The Sporting News’ betting predictions for this round of NRL action.
Odds courtesy of TAB.
Sydney's attacking renaissance
The Roosters have posted big scores in their past two games and look to have finally turned the corner in attack. Admittedly though, those matches were against the Dragons and Knights.
James Tedesco is hitting peak form at the right time, while the return of Luke Keary could be massive in the run to the finals.
The Chooks have won five of their last seven games against Manly and have a good recent record at 4 Pines Park too, having beaten the Sea Eagles twice in a row there.
Hasler’s team will be severely weakened after the jersey controversy earlier in the week and shouldn’t stand a chance against the Roosters.
Luke Keary to score a try and Sydney Roosters to win - $4.50
Melbourne stops the slide
Craig Bellamy couldn’t have picked a better opponent to face coming off the back of yet another disappointing loss.
Melbourne have won their past 12 matches against the New Zealand Warriors and have also won four on the bounce against them when they have played at Mt Smart Stadium.
In their most recent encounter, the Storm recorded an incredible 70-10 victory on Anzac Day.
The margin won’t be anywhere near as big this time, but Melbourne should still have enough about them to get back to winning ways.
Melbourne by 13-18 points - $5.00
Titans’ flyer maintains record
The Gold Coast Titans host Canberra during the early Saturday game and their rotten record is likely to continue against the Raiders.
Ricky Stuart’s men have won six of their last seven matches against the team currently escaping from bottom spot on the ladder through points difference alone.
However, the Raiders have made a habit out of conceding plenty of unnecessary points, as evidenced by giving the Warriors a 14-0 head start last weekend.
Phillip Sami has crossed the stripe in three of his past four games against Canberra.
Phillip Sami to score a try - $3.10
Sharks & Bunnies grind it out
In the game of the round, Cronulla will be looking to get back into the winner’s circle when they welcome the red-hot Bunnies to The Shire.
The Rabbitohs have won their last two meetings against the Sharks and are making a late-season charge up the table.
However, their try-scoring freak Alex Johnston doesn’t boast a great record against Cronulla, having scored just a single try in his past five games against them.
Craig Fitzgibbon has also instilled a solid defensive attitude into his side with the Sharks conceding one try for every 16 play-the-balls the opposition has in their 20m zone. The only team with a better record than that is Penrith.
0-5 tries - $3.80
The entertainers
Who could have forecast when Mick Potter was announced as the interim coach that Canterbury would turn into one of the league’s great entertainers? Yet, here we are.
Having been woeful in attack for most of the season under Trent Barrett, the Bulldogs are now on a roll.
After being unable to score more than 10 points in both halves for 13 games straight to begin the season, they have since done so in four out of their last five matches.
Newcastle have been dreadful in defence, especially at home, and this could be set to continue with the news of Kalyn Ponga's absence.
1st Half Away Points Bulldogs 7 to 12 - $3.10
