The Big Marn’s NRL Round 21 Preview
Friday 7:35pm (AEST) St George Illawarra Dragons $2.72 v Melbourne Storm $1.48 – WIN Stadium
Alarm bells must be ringing for the Storm! They have not won since Round 15 and have lost their last four matches.
The Storms loss to the Eels last week sees the Bulldogs leapfrog the Storm into top spot.
Melbourne will welcome back Billy Slater from injury in a huge boost to their chances.
The Dragons have surprisingly named Dean Young in their line-up after he was knocked out by Greg Inglis last week.
Matt Cooper is out of the Dragons side through injury with Beau Scott shifting to centre.
A huge game for both sides but think the Dragons can get the job done as their season goes on the line. The $2.72 with Sportingbet Australia is excellent value.
Friday 7:35pm (AEST) Sydney Roosters$2.20 v Gold Coast Titans $1.70 – Allianz Stadium
The Roosters season appears over after their loss to the Panthers last week as they now sit five points outside the top eight.
Toyota Cup star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his debut on the wing for the Roosters this week.
The Titans are in a purple patch and are making a late finals charge with impressive victories over the Raiders and Broncos in their last two starts.
Greg Bird has been named for the Titans in a huge boost to their top eight chances.
The Titans have won the past two clashes between the two sides and should get the job done with more to play for.
Saturday 5:30pm (AEST) Canterbury Bulldogs $1.65 v North Queensland Cowboys $2.25 – ANZ Stadium
The Bulldogs are on top of the table and the new premiership favourites @ $4.50 with Sportingbet Australia.
The battle between Ben Barba and Matt Bowen will be worth the price of admission alone.
Bulldogs five-eighth Kris Keating has been named but has to be a doubtful starter after picking up a hamstring injury against the Sea Eagles.
The Cowboys were involved in a tough Monday night football match against the Tigers and the short turnaround will have an impact.
The premiership favourites will continue their outstanding run and the $1.65 with Sportingbet Australia looks the right price.
Saturday 7:30pm (AEST) Manly Sea Eagles $1.52 v New Zealand Warriors $2.60 – Patersons Stadium
This match should be an absolute beauty!
It’s a tough ask for the Warriors having to travel to Perth but they will keen to make amends after their capitulation against the Knights last week.
It’s also a big opportunity for the Warriors to leapfrog the injury-depleted Tigers into the top eight with a victory.
Western Australian rugby league fans will be treated to the 2011 NRL grand final rematch and this match should deliver the goods.
Brett Stewart hasn’t been named for Manly but will travel to Perth and could be a late inclusion.
Warriors captain Simon Mannering will miss the clash with injury with Manu Vatuvei taking over the captaincy.
It’s a real toss of the coin match but the $2.60 with Sportingbet Australia for the Warriors looks overs.
Saturday 7:30pm (AEST) Cronulla Sharks $1.50 v Penrith Panthers $2.60 – Toyota Stadium
The Sharks will be keen to bounce back after being thumped at home by the Raiders last week.
Paul Gallen and Jeremy Smith have been named in a major boost to the Sharks’ chances.
Ricky Leutele replaces the injured Ben Pomeroy, while there has to be some doubt over Todd Carney’s fitness after he turned up to the Sharks recovery session in a knee brace.
Luke Lewis hasn’t been named to face his new club but expect his Panthers teammates to lift in his absence.
Sharks will be disappointed with their effort in front of their home fans last week and will make sure their fans leave much happier this week.
Sunday 2pm (AEST) Canberra Raiders $1.57 v Newcastle Knights $2.45 – Canberra Stadium
This is a huge clash for both sides with a loss putting a major dent in either team’s finals hopes.
Five teams sit on 20 points, one win outside the top eight so a win is a must for both teams.
Both sides are coming off impressive wins as outsiders and will be keen to keep the momentum going.
The Raiders have a strong record over the Knights in Canberra having won 14 of the 18 clashes.
It’s hard to not be impressed with the way the Knights came back against the Warriors last week so the trip to Canberra will hold no fear.
I’m favouring plenty of outsiders this weekend and once again the $2.45 with Sportingbet Australia looks great value.
Sunday 3pm (AEST) South Sydney Rabbitohs $1.48 v Wests Tigers $2.65 – ANZ Stadium
The Tigers are coming off a tough loss to the Cowboys and picked up four injuries in the match.
Tim Moltzen, Chris Lawrence, Curtis Sironen and Ben Murdoch Masila have been named in the Tigers side but will not play, giving Tigers coach Tim Sheens some major selection headaches.
The short turnaround as well as the huge injury toll is likely to test the Tigers this weekend
The Rabbitohs will be without the suspended Greg Inglis and Issac Luke which will help the Tigers cause a little.
Last time these sides met in Round 5 it was a Greg Inglis field goal that separated the sides in golden point.
While Inglis might not be there, the Rabbitohs are on a roll and will be too strong for the depleted Tigers.
Monday 7pm (AEST) Brisbane Broncos $1.28 v Parramatta Eels $3.70 – Suncorp Stadium
Parramatta produced the upset of the season by defeating the Melbourne Storm last week.
Eels star Jarryd Hayne has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury in a major blow for the Eels’ chances of avoiding the wooden spoon.
The Broncos have their own injury and suspension concerns.
Justin Hodges will miss the clash with injury, while Joss Hoffman and Ben Teo will be watching this clash from the sideline.
The Broncos were upset by the Titans last week and will be ready to make the Eels pay.
The Broncos shan’t be losing and will cover the -9.5 line @ $1.90 with Sportingbet Australia.
Big Marn’s Best Bet – Broncos at the line
Sportingbet Australia NRL Premiership Winner Market
Canterbury Bulldogs $4.50
Melbourne Storm $5
South Sydney Rabbitohs $6
Brisbane Broncos $7
Manly Sea Eagles $7
North Queensland Cowboys $9
Wests Tigers $17
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