NRL Betting Tips: The early games Round 8

• 
• Author: Alex Christodoulou
  May 02, 2019 07:01 PM
• AAP

Grudge match of the year

The most anticipated game of 2019 is upon us, as Seibold's Broncos and Bennett's Bunnies face off on Thursday night.

On Friday, it's an all-Queensland affair to kick things off, when the Cowboys host the Titans.

Then it's the latest instalment of the Storm and Sharks rivalry, where both sides are sure to be up for the occasion.

Before placing your NRL bets, check out our NRL betting tips below.

 

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos

NRL Odds: Rabbitohs $1.50 (-5.5) / Broncos $2.50 (+5.5)

It's been billed as the grudge match of the year, with the rugby league media having a field day with this one.

The way the coach swapping in the off-season was handled left a bitter taste in many mouths.

There's no doubt that both Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold will be craving a win over their former clubs here.

Punters shouldn't get caught up in the hype however, as the motivation from both parties cancels itself out.

 

Why Rabbitohs can win

The Rabbitohs come in with the superior form, having won their last three and only having dropped competition points once all season.

Last week's 4-point win over the Panthers was a brave effort, considering the Bunnies had just 43% of the possession.

They were peppered on their own goal-line, but their defence stood firm, only conceding three tries in 80 minutes.

But the positive sign is how well the mob from Redfern converted their chances at the other end of the field.

Both Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds are on song, and if they can get some more chances in the attacking third, they'll punish the Broncos here.

 

Why Broncos can win

Brisbane finally got back to winning ways in Round 7, thrashing the Sharks by 23 points up at Suncorp.

However, this win wasn't as good as it seems on paper. 

Josh Dugan was a late withdrawal, while Shaun Johnson limped off early after injuring his hamstring.

The Sharks backline was very inexperienced and the likes of Corey Oats and James Roberts took advantage. 

Nevertheless, their performance a fortnight ago against Canberra definitely indicated that an improvement was just around the corner.

But without Kodi Nikorima, rookie half-back Tom Dearden faces a tough assignment to have a positive impact on the game. 

 

• The underdog has covered the line in the past eight Round 8 games at ANZ Stadium: Broncos to cover the +5.5 point line @ $1.90
• Matt Gillett has scored a try in each of Brisbane's previous 2 Thursday games: Gillett to score a try @ $6 
• All of Souths' last 7 Thursday night fixtures have gone over the total match points line: Total match points to be over 41.5 @ $1.90

Reasoning: If they get an even share of possession, expect them to win comfortably.

  2018 media tipster champ: Souths

 

North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans

NRL Odds: Cowboys $1.71 (-2.0) / Titans $2.14 (+2.0)

It's a Queensland derby to kick things off on Friday, with both clubs in desperate need of a win if they want to stay in touch with the top eight.

The Titans looked to have turned their season right around last week. They were up 14-0 and about to make it three straight, before they fell asleep and saw the Tigers roar back to win 30-14.

The Cowboys meanwhile couldn't overcome the Bulldogs down in Sydney, in what was their second straight away game.

They'll be glad to get back to Townsville.

 

Why Cowboys can win

It's no secret that the Cowboys rely on their forward pack to win them games.

The big men stood up against the Dogs last week, with Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean and Matt Scott amongst the three biggest metre-eaters on the park.

The pack could get another boost this week- and what a big one it would be- if Jason Taumololo is promoted to the starting side after being named among the reserves.

Despite not getting the win in Round 7, coach Paul Green would have been happy with his side's 82% completion rate.  

But with Te Maire Martin ruled out for this clash, the Cows are lacking flair and points in their backs. 

A big improvement is needed.

 

Why Titans can win

Take away the second half against Wests last week and Gold Coast would be favourites for this in the NRL odds.

But it looked like they got ahead of themselves and started counting their third straight win before it was on the board.

However, if they're switched on here, Garth Brennan's players have all the talent to record a big away win.

The Titans have the muscle in the forward pack to contain the Cowboys' big boppers.

After a slow start to the season, Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts are starting to click in the halves.

Unlike the Cowboys halves, they've had no problem finding their outside backs in recent weeks and should be the decisive factor.

 

• North Queensland have won all of their past 7 games against Gold Coast: Cowboys to win @ $1.67
• Anthony Don has scored at least 1 try in 9 of the Titans' last 10 away games: Don to score a try @ $2
• Gavin Cooper has been 1st try-scorer in each of the Cows' previous three Round 8 games: Cooper to score first try @ $15

Reasoning: If Taumololo is absent from the Cowboys line-up, this looks the best play. Best to wait until the line-ups are finalised. 

 

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm

NRL Odds: Sharks $3 (+7.5) / Storm $1.38 (-7.5)

The main event on Friday night sees an understrength Sharks aim to repel a Storm side who seemingly always find a way to win.

The Melbournians were poor last week against the Warriors, struggling for points on their home deck.

But they still managed to salvage a 1-point victory, in another example of the old adage that good teams find a way to win.

Cronulla meanwhile will be hoping a return to the Shire will give them a boost after they were dispatched up in Brisbane in Round 7.

 

Why Sharks can win

With Shaun Johnson joining Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan on the sidelines, Chad Townsend will need to have a mammoth game here.

He'll be thrown the responsibility of not just leading his team around the park, but trying to engineer points against a stubborn Melbourne defence.

Townsend has long been underrated and is capable of stepping up to the plate.

But for the Sharks to get the win, it will need to be off the back of their defence.

Considering that they've leaked 20+ points in each of their last four, the signs aren't looking good.

 

Why Storm can win

If Melbourne can play poorly and still get the win, they seemingly don't have to do all that much to get another two competition points here.

However, the Sharks have had the wood over them in recent years and they'll need to be more than up for the fight.

The Storm's powerhouse wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr have yet to really explode in 2019.

It's the job of the halves to get these two into the game, and more importantly, over the try line.

Vunivalu in particular will be busting for a meat pie, after his last four-pointer came all the way back in Round 2.

You can't hold him down for long, so look out for a big game.

 

 Key NRL Stats

• Melbourne have failed to cover the line in their past 4 games: Cronulla to cover the +7.5 point line @ $1.90
• 11 of the Storm's previous 12 interstate matches have gone under the total match points line: Total match points under 38.5 @ $1.90
• Felise Kaufusi has been the 1st try scorer in his last 2 games at Shark Park: Kaufusi to score 1st try @ $15

 

 NRL Betting Tip: Storm to cover the -7.5 point line @ $1.90

Reasoning: They look far too strong for a wounded and out-of-form Sharks side.

 

  2018 media tipster champ: Storm