2017 NRL Round 21 Betting Tips
The 2017 NRL season continues this weekend and we take a look at the matches with the most value for punting. See our NRL Round 21 Preview and Betting Tips below.
Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The Bulldogs enter this match having won two of their past eight games. Their chances of reaching the finals have been dashed and they clearly aren’t playing for their coach at this point in the season. The side has struggled in attack all year and have scored the least points of any team in the competition. Their combinations across the backline are woeful and their star forwards are missing from the line up. Add to that, Josh Reynolds was caught up in controversy at a pub late last week. The Bulldogs are in shambles and they will be looking forward to the end of the year.
Meanwhile the Penrith Panthers are pushing for a berth in the finals. The side has won their last two games against sides outside the top eight and they are hoping to make it three from three vefore their schedule gets harder. Nathan Cleary has been putting the side on his back while Matt Moylan has been on the sidelines and he will continue to play a huge role in the success of this team. We are predicting the Panthers to win this match with ease.
TIP: Panthers at the margin (13+) – $2.75 at Sportsbet
Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
Despite entering this match on the road, the Broncos will start in favourites for their clash with the Eels. The side was dominant last week against the Bulldogs as they held out the early pressure before kicking into gear and running away with the match. They will still be without their and the Australian fullback Darius Boyd who is suffering from a hand injury but we don’t expect them to struggle in attack with Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford pulling the strings of a star studded side.
Meanwhile the Eels will need to deal with losing one of their in-form players of the season. Clint Gutherson’s fears were realised when it was revealed he had torn his ACL ligament in his knee and will miss the next 12 months of action. He had been playing his best season in the top grade and had filled in in nearly every position in the backline for the Eels. Bevan French is a great replacement for him at fullback but it places a lot more pressure on Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman to create. The Broncos will prove too strong, despite a spirited effort from the Eels.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at William Hill
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawrra Dragons (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Newcastle Knights have still only won two games this season, despite being competitive in the majority of them. Unfortunately for them, one of those games they should have won was against the Dragons, who they lead by 18-points heading into the half-time break. The Dragons will be wary of the Knights this time around and they won’t be making the same mistake again. The Knights may be close to having their future sorted but it doesn’t mean their present is looking up.
The Dragons bounced back to form last week with a dominant display against the Sea Eagles. The side was on the cusp of dropping out of the eight with a loss but the win has meant they will stay in a finals position for at least another week. If they want to contest in the elimination stages of the season then this is a game they can’t afford to lose.
TIP: Dragons at the margin (13+) – $2.10 at Sportsbet
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TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
