NRL Betting Tips: Sunday Footy Round 1 Season 2019

• 
• Author: Alex Christodoulou
  Mar 15, 2019 12:57 PM
• AAP

Panthers to power past Parra

Sunday afternoon footy returns with the battle of the west, when a new look Parramatta will try to keep it competitive against a talented Penrith outfit.

Then, two teams with monster packs butt heads when the Titans host the Raiders.

Who prevails? Read our previews and NRL betting tips to find out.

Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels

NRL Odds: Panthers $1.52 (-4.5) / Eels $2.50 (+4.5)

The Western Sydney derby is always an entertaining fixture and a great game to kick back and enjoy on a Sunday.

Will the Cleary father and son combo combine for their first win? Or can the Eels start their season on a confidence-boosting high?

Why Panthers can win

The Panthers are jam-packed with talent at just the right age to start winning a premiership.

Their spine of Dylan Edwards, James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Sione Katoa is one of the best in the league.

With a good pack and strong outside backs, the Panthers have a big superiority in terms of personnel.

If they can put a horror off-season behind them, they look morals here.

Why Eels can win

There have been big changes at Parramatta in the off-season, which might breathe some fresh air into the side.

Dylan Brown and Maiko Sivo will make their debuts in the backs, while new recruits Blake Ferguson and Shaun Lane are also in the starting 13.

These players might give the Eels the energy to start their season with a bang.

Eels fans' hopes for this season will mostly rest on the shoulders of halfback Mitchell Moses.

If they are to pull of an upset here, Moses and fullback Clint Gutherson will need to be in top gear. 

But against Penrith's quality, it's unlikely.

 Key NRL Stat

• 5 of the previous 6 Western Sydney derbies have been won by the Panthers: Penrith to win @ $1.52

 NRL Betting Tip: Penrith to cover the -4.5 point line @ $1.90

Reasoning: With too much quality and in front of their home fans, it would be a big shock if the Panthers didn't win comfortably.

Missed our preview of the Super Saturday Round 1 games? Read it here.

Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders

NRL Odds: Titans $1.85 (-1.5) / Raiders $1.95 (+1.5)

Is this the year the Raiders finally put everything together?

They travel up to the Gold Coast in a game that could lay the platform for the rest of their season.

 

Why Gold Coast can win

The Titans have a monster pack that includes Jarrod Wallace, Ryan James, Jai Arrow and ex-Raider Shannon Boyd.

These four can do plenty of damage in the middle of the park, making it hard for Canberra to get a foot-hold in the game.

With new recruit Tyrone Peachey in the backs and Ash Taylor pulling this strings in the halves, the Titans have assembled possibly their best ever squad.

If they're ready to go, then they'll get the win here.

 

Why Canberra can win

The Raiders have been on the cusp of a genuine finals push in recent years, only for a string of narrow defeats holding them back.

Coach Ricky Stuart will be all too aware that if the Green Machine don't go far this season, he will be out of a job.  

Like the Titans, they have a great squad of players who are more than capable of getting the win here.

At their best, they look like one of the most dangerous teams in the competition with the likes of Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua causing havoc out wide.

But in order to give their outside backs the freedom they need, the forwards will need to dominate the middle of the park. That looks unlikely here.

 Key NRL Stat

• The previous 4 games between these sides have all produced 50+ total match points: Total match points over 44.5 @ $1.90

 NRL Betting Tip: Titans to win @ $1.85

Reasoning: With a cracking side on paper, the Titans will look to start their season on a high at home.