Alarm bells are sounding at Penrith HQ after their horror start to the season.
After Nathan Cleary pulled off an unlikely win against the Tigers in Round 4, Penrith failed to capitalize on that momentum, giving Gold Coast their first win of the season.
Against a hardened Cronulla side at Shark Park, the Panthers will need to show something more to get over the line.
Why Sharks can win
Cronulla don't come into this game with the best form either, after getting hammered by the Roosters on their home turf.
The 30-16 scoreline flattered the Sharks in the end, after they were down 30-0 in the second half.
However, a glass-half-full perspective is that the Sharkies showed great grit to fight back when they knew the game was gone.
The Sharks have also recorded the most line breaks in the league with 25. Against a shoddy Penrith defence, this looks like being a huge advantage.
And with their inspirational leader Paul Gallen set to return for this clash, expect the Shire boys to bounce back.
Why Panthers can win
Everything has been wrong with Penrith's game this year.
Their two victories both came by 2 points or less, and were far from convincing.
James Maloney in particular has been very poor. He has missed the most tackles of any player league-wide with 28.
Considering he's an experienced Origin half, this is a worrying side for Ivan Cleary's men.
But with a star-studded team on paper, the Panthers have the capacity to explode at any moment. This is why the bookies are keeping them safe with their NRL odds.
Key NRL Stats
The Sharks have won their previous 6 games against Penrith: Cronulla to win @ $1.64
The underdog has covered the line in 7 of past 8 games between these sides: Penrith to cover the +3.5 point line @ $1.90
Cronulla have won their last 4 home games against the Panthers by a margin of 1-12 points: Sharks to win by 1-12 @ $3
NRL Betting Tip: Cronulla to cover the -3.5 point line @ $1.90
Reasoning: Penrith's form is too bad to tip otherwise.
After two gutsy performances back-to-back, the Bulldogs dished up a stinker last week, getting hammered by the Dragons 40-4.
While it remains to be seen which Bulldogs side we get, you know that the Bunnies will turn up.
After Greg Inglis announced his retirement midweek, you can bet that the Rabbitohs will come out and send him off on a high, as he watches on from the sidelines.
Why Bulldogs can win
Lacking the creative talent of other teams, the Dogs will rarely win through their attack.
It's through their defence and doing all the basics right that Canterbury have a chance here.
The Dogs lead the league with their 82% completion rate. This took a dip against the Dragons, where they surrendered the ball close to their own line, leading to plenty of tries being conceded.
If they can get back to their gritty, defence-first attitude, then they have just enough scoring power with Jayden Okunbor and Nick Meaney to get the two points here.
Why Rabbitohs can win
South Sydney have a vastly superior squad on paper, with the Burgess boys alongside Damien Cook in the forwards, and the likes of Adam Reynolds and Dane Gagai in the backs.
But it's five-eighth Cody Walker who is in red-hot form, fresh off a performance that shot him into Origin contention.
Walker scored 4 tries including the game-winner against the Warriors last week, in what was a textbook performance from a running five-eighth.
With Reynolds controlling the game with his pinpoint kicking, Walker is given a free-reign to cause havoc with the ball in his hands in attack.
These two will surely have the Dogs covered.
Key NRL Stats
Canterbury have won their past 5 Friday games as a home underdog: Bulldogs to win @ $3.40
The underdog has covered the line in 6 of South Sydney's previous 7 games at ANZ Stadium: Bulldogs to cover the +8.5 point line @ $1.90
Sam Burgess has scored a try in the Rabbitohs' past 3 away matches: Sam Burgess to score a try @ $3.20
NRL Betting Tip: Rabbitohs to cover the -8.5 point line @ $1.90
Reasoning: With superior quality and form, look for a dominant win here.
An absolute blockbuster rounds out Good Friday, when the two best teams in the NRL butt heads in the Grand Final rematch.
No side will be short of motivation here.
The Storm not only want revenge after last season's loss in the big dance, but are trying maintain a perfect start to this campaign.
The Roosters meanwhile would love nothing more then ending the Storm's unbeaten run, and prove once again that they have the Melbournians covered.
Why Storm can win
Craig Bellamy has his players perfectly drilled, and they always seem to make the right calls in the big moments.
This is why they've started the season five and zip.
Not to mention the fact that Cameron Smith, who recently became the top point-scorer in NRL history, is leading his team around the park with unparalleled poise.
With Suliasi Vunivali coming back into the side, the Storm will be very hard to beat on their home turf.
However, they have gone off the boil slightly in their past two outings. They'll need to improve here.
Why Roosters can win
The Tri-colours also receive some positive news on the injury front, with Jared Waerea Hargreaves named to make his return.
In a forward pack that also includes NSW Blues captain Boyd Cordener and young gun Victor Radley, the Chooks have plenty of meat in the middle.
But it's their backs that can hurt Melbourne.
Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco are both in fine form, and have the quality to rip the Storm apart here.
And don't forget Cooper Cronk. The ex-Melbourne man will play against his old club without a busted shoulder, which means the Chooks will only be a better team than they were in the Grand Final.
Key NRL Stats
Sydney has won the 1st half in 10 of their past 11 away games: Roosters to win the 1st half @ 1.87
The Storm have won their last 4 nights games against the Tri-colours at AAMI Park: Melbourne to win @ $1.90
Each of Melbourne's previous 7 games have all gone under the total match points line: Total match points to be under 34.5 @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Roosters to win @ $1.90
Reasoning: They've won four in a row, and only look to be getting better with each game.
Apr 18, 2019 07:01 PM
AAP
Key NRL Stats
NRL Betting Tip: Cronulla to cover the -3.5 point line @ $1.90
2018 media tipster champ: Panthers
