2016 NRL Round 25 Betting Tips
It’s already the penultimate week of the regular 2016 NRL season and there are plenty of big games as we preview and offer our NRL Round 25 betting tips.
Melbourne Storm Vs Brisbane Broncos (Friday, 26 August at 7:50PM)
Friday night football is what many of us wait for each week and Round 25 is absolutely no different as Melbourne Storm play host to a resurgent Brisbane Broncos.
A month ago we were all sitting here saying how terrible Brisbane had become and how they had lost their edge and were barely a finals team, let alone a premiership contender. Now I’m not suggesting victories over the Dragons, the Eels and the Bulldogs have instantly forgiven Brisbane’s lousy performances. What they have done is keep the Broncos not only in finals contention, but fighting for a top four finish.
Melbourne, on the other hand, are currently sitting three points clear of the second-placed Cronulla Sharks and have back-to-back home games to finish the home and away season. The Storm are coming off a huge win over the Sea Eagles, 38-18. Sullies Vunivalu was the clear standout in that game, scoring four tries. The Sea Eagles game was what we’ve all come to expect from Melbourne. They were in control for the entirety of action and never took their foot off the pedal.
Neither team has made any changes this week and this one will be a battle for the entire 80 minutes. Melbourne are tough to beat at home and with the minor premiership on the table, they wont leave anything off the field.
Tip: Melbourne Storm 1-12 – $3.05 at CrownBet
Cronulla Sharks Vs Sydney Roosters (Saturday, 27 August at 7:30PM)
Cronulla was on top of the world before it started crumbling under their feet. The Sharks are now on a -three game losing streak which is certainly something we didn’t expect to be saying this season. Last week the Rabbitohs were the latest in a line of defeats with Cronulla seeming to simply not turn up. The Sharks will be buoyed by the return of their captain Paul Gallen, while Sosaia Feki will help their once dominant wing.
The Roosters head into this one with plenty of confidence coming off back-to-back convincing wins against the Cowboys and the Dragons. Blake Ferguson and Daniel Tupou have found some serious form recently. Last week they both scored a double and ran for a combined 374 metres.
I believe this game will be close. Cronulla should win, but if Melbourne win on Friday night and therefore lock up the minor premiership, the Sharks will have less to play for and might just coast. I think the smart bet here is either team by under 8.5 points, but if Storm lose look for value with Cronulla 13+.
Tip: Either Team Under 8.5 Points – $2.15 at CrownBet
Newcastle Knights Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Sunday, 28 August at 4:00PM)
Throughout the season there was so much said about “the streak” – Cronulla’s golden run. Nothing much has been said about the now 16-game losing streak the Knights are currently on. Sure we all saw the footage of Dane Gagai breaking down post game, but that’s about it.
This is the Knights final home game and they want the win more than ever. Cory Denniss, Jarrod Mullen, Pat Mata’utia and Slone Mata’utia have all been included in the reshuffled Knights line up with Danny Levi, Mickey Paea, Nathan Ross and Will Pearsall missing the cut.
The Bunnies are fresh off back-to-back wins and will head to Newcastle with winning on their mind. Two weeks ago they travelled to NZ to smack around the Warriors 41-22, then last week they added to the Sharks pain with a 6-point win.
Sticking with the same line up as pervious weeks will help the Rabbitohs. Earlier in the season they were criticised for being to reactionary and not allowing the team to find itself. Since GI moved back to fullback, they have seen a huge resurgence often resembling there 2014 premiership winning side.
With Jeremy Smith retiring, I honestly would like to see the Knights win. He has been a statesman for the club and deserves a winning send off. But that’s not going to happen. The Knights will be man-handled on Sunday afternoon and there’s simply nothing they can do about it.
Tip: South Sydney Rabbitohs -12.5 – $1.92 at CrownBet
Parramatta Eels Vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Monday, 29 August at 7:00PM)
Its official – Benji Marshall wont be playing this week and next week might be his last game in the NRL. Benji has been dropped to add game time to Drew Hutchison who is seen as the Dragon’s next Halfback.
Parramatta is counting the days till this season ends. Beau Scott, Brad Takairangi and Tepai Moeroa will all line up Monday night with Rory O’brien and Vai Toutai being omitted.
These two teams can’t play finals, so the result is entirely a confidence builder for next season. The Dragons will look to bounce back after last weeks’ loss and we feel they’ll be able to hold the Eels at bay.
Tip: St George Dragons +5.5 – $1.94 at CrownBet
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