MY 5 Best Bets For NRL Round 26
North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
BET = Brisbane Broncos -5.5
1. The Cowboys have won just 1 of their past 6 games, and even last week was a struggle against the 15th placed Tigers.
2. The Broncos have close to a full strength side at their disposal and will be desperate to strike back after their embarrassing display against the Eels last week.
3. The Cowboys have really been hanging on the past few weeks, with a number of team members playing through injury and looking banged up.
4. The Broncos have scored over 30 points a number of times the past 6 weeks, whilst the Cowboys have not managed to do this once.
5. I just think eventually the run of close games has to end, and that’s tonight with a convincing win for the Broncos.
Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ ANZ Stadium
BET = Over 42.5 Total Match Points
1. The Rabbitohs last 3 games have all comfortably gone over 42 total match points.
2. The Eels have involved a 86 point circus last week in Brisbane which was the highest scoring NRL game for 10 years.
3. With Souths having nothing to play for, I expect this to be a very open game.
4. Both sides gave up a number of soft tries last week and look suspect in defence.
5. I think there could be as many as 60 points in this game, so 43 looks a steal.
Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks @ McDonald Jones Stadium
BET = Newcastle Knights +10.5
1. The Knights have an outstanding record on Old Boys Day at home and will be urged on by a big crowd.
2. Earlier this season the Knights pushed the Sharks all the way, losing by just 1 point in the Shire.
3. The Sharks have been patchy against the lower sides all year, with narrow wins over the Tigers, 2 losses to the Titans and a narrow win over the Bulldogs.
4. With Wade Graham potentially out and James Maloney playing well below his best, the Sharks have a few issues going into this game.
5. I’m not convinced the Knights can win, however I reckon they can give the Sharks a big scare here.
St. George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium
BET = Dragons -7.5
1. The Dragons have everything to play for with a Top 8 spot on the line, and the Bulldogs have nothing to play for here.
2. The Bulldogs have been good the past couple of weeks, however have been serviced by shocking performances by the Sea Eagles and Titans.
3. Since Matt Dufty has gone back to fullback, the Dragons have injected a bit more speed in their team and I think that could trouble the Bulldogs.
4. With the Top 8 so tight, for and against could play a big role, so I see the Dragons keeping the foot on the throat here for 80 minutes.
5. I’m sure the Dogs would love to spoil the party, but I just think the Dragons have too much quality and will be far too motivated for them here.
Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors @ Leichhardt Oval
BET = Over 45.5 Total Match Points
1. When these sides clashed in Round 25 last season, there were 60 points scored with the Tigers winning 36-24.
2. When these sides met in Sydney last year, it was another wild game with the Tigers winning 28-26.
3. With both sides having nothing really to play for here, this will be a very open game.
4. These sides are in the Bottom 4 defensively in the competition, so I expect plenty of tries to be scored.
5. I can easily see both these sides scoring over 20 points here with defence not being of high priority.