Couch Critic provides the betting tips for the NRL matches taking place on 30th and 31st May in this preview brought to you by @Olimp_SA
Let’s dive into the weekends footy action and try and pick some winners!
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS vs ST GEORGE ILLAWARE DRAGONS – SAT 30 May @ 07:00, Central Coast Stadium
Warriors
Players:
Eliesa Katoa is a strong ball carrier for the New Zealanders, and no one works harder on a footy field than Tohu Harris. The men from across the ditch have been heavily hit by injuries.
Thus far:
Have only managed one solitary score (a penalty try) over their two matches against the Knights and the Raiders.
Dragons
Players:
The bleached blonde Corey Norman pulls the attacking strings for the Dragons and he has the pace and power of Jordan Pereira & Mikaele Ravalawa to try and set in motion on the wings.
Thus Far:
Were ten points clear against the Panthers with almost the same number of minutes remaining but let it slip.
Verdict
There is no such thing as a home game for the Warriors from New Zealand and along with a growing injury list the pain is surely destined to become worse before it will get any better. I see the Dragons getting the job done with a bit of room to spare.
CRONULLA SHARKS vs WEST TIGERS – Sat 30 May @ 09:30, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Sharks
Players:
Sione Katoa showed against the Rabbitahs that he knows better than most how to finish. Shaun Johnson is a more than average five-eighth. Wade Graham is a hard-working talisman in the pack.
Thus far:
The Sharks were desperately unlucky to get within a last-gasp forward pass of snatching a come-from-behind victory over the Bunnies. They also kept the Storm try-less for more than an hour before letting the result slip in the final 10 minutes of that match.
Tigers
Players:
The legend that is Benji Marshall is left with plenty to carry if the Tigers are to go far in 2020.
Thus Far:
Stuttered in opener vs Bulldogs but smashed the Titans in impressive fashion.
Verdict
The Sharks are comfortably the better team and it’s just a matter of how team morale is after the doping incident hit the camp. It’s never easy judging the mental side of sport but given the facts at hand Cronulla should have enough fire power to put the Tigers away.
MELBOURNE STORM vs CANBERRA RAIDERS – Sat 30 May @ 11:35, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm
Players:
Watch out for big Fijian finisher Suliasi Vunivalu in the number 2 jumper ready to round off tryscoring opportunities. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a beast with the ten on his back and then the two Cameron’s form the spine of the side – Munster as the playmaker and Smith as the veteran hooker.
Thus far:
Against both the Sea Eagles and the Sharks the men from Melbourne left it till the final quarter to find their attacking flair, against the Raiders they can’t afford to leave it too late.
Raiders
Players:
The Englishman, Elliot Whitehead, is one of those big athletes you can build a team around as second rower. The Raiders have a decent amount of pace in their back three and Jack Wighton is the type of 6 who will be chomping at the bit to go head to head with Munster.
Thus Far:
The Raiders had a rather easy start to NRL 2020 as they cruised past both the Titans and Warriors without needing to find fifth gear. The Storm will give them their first proper test to judge whether last year’s losing finalists ae indeed genuine title contenders this time around.
Verdict
The home side are rightly seen as favourites for this one but its tough judging just how comfortable things will be for the Storm in Melbourne on Saturday. There seems little value in backing the Storm in this one though they should be able to do the business over the Raiders.
PENRITH PANTHERS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS – Sun 31 May @ 08:00, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Panthers
Players:
The nuggety Apisai Koroisau will keep challenging you around the tackle for the duration of the 80 minutes. The staunch Josh Mansour is like a bull in a china shop on the right wing and Viliame Kikau is one for those league style forwards who brings both power, pace and some skill to boot.
Thus far:
The Panthers did the seemingly impossible by overcoming an early twelve-point deficit to the Premiers. Against the Dragons it was a bit of a see-saw battle but they got the job done in the end.
Knights
Players:
Edrick Lee is their lanky speedster on the wing whilst Jacob Saifiti is a big dangerman amongst the forwards. Mitchell Pearce controls things well from 7. The big question for the Newcastle team is how they can cope without their outrageously talented Ponga for this clash.
Thus Far:
In damp conditions they shutout the Warriors and against the Tigers they seemed in control throughout and were finally able to break clear in the end.
Verdict
Neither of these two are really expected to be realistic title contenders but they will both have hopes of being involved in the knockouts at least. This match will go a long way to determining the pecking order in the middle of the table. If pushed the Knights offer the better value but for mind this is a coin toss. Had Ponga been involved I would have backed Newcastle with ease.
MANLY SEA EAGLES vs CANTERBURY BULLDOGS – SUN 31 May @ 10:30, Central Coast Stadium
Sea Eagles
Players:
Tommy Turbo as they call Tom Trbojevic is the standout for the men from Manly. The fullback will prove to be a thorn in many a side during 2020.
Thus far:
After a tight first half the Storm eventually wore down the Sea Eagles, but they bounced back to impressively topple the defending champion, Roosters with some gutsy defensive work.
Bulldogs
Players:
As their name suggests the Bulldogs are more a team of dogged fighters than individual stars.
Thus Far:
They kept the fancied Eels to a single try in the 2020 season opener and then added three 4-pointers of their own against a decent Cowboys outfit so the Bulldogs are no mugs despite two successive losses.
Verdict
The Bulldogs have certainly pitched up for the fight in both their previous matches but one can’t help but feel they won’t have nearly enough class to mix it with the Beach Boys.
BEST BETS (in order of preference)
These Sea Eagles could be genuine title contenders in 2020 whilst one can’t say the same for Canterbury. The Manly men should soar to victory on Sunday.
Probably not much between backing the Dragons on the handicap or to lead both at half time and win the match but I am confident enough that the Warriors will struggle for the full 80 and just protecting myself against a late Warrior try which could spoil the cap.
Mental aspects aside this Sharks team should prove too ruthless for the Tigers if they pitch up in a sound frame of mind.
The Storm have kept all their tries thus far for the last quarter and the Raiders, having played two weaker sides, didn’t really find their best attacking stride either. I’m going low on this night game in Melbourne.
Both St. George’s wingers are incredible specimens and I have to have an interest in them in some way, shape or form.
Never a bad idea backing the hardest grafter on the park.
I want this nippy 9 behind the base of the tackle on my side as I reckon he has as good a chance as any to get on the score sheet on Sunday.
We have to back at least one big boy at a BIG price…
The man, the legend.
Go Tommy, go, go, go!!!
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
