NRL Footy Tips and Betting Odds

May 21, 2010 by: Beejay

Our Round 11 NRL preview starts with the Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers match at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night 21st May under lights in a must win game for both teams.

Sportsbet has been unable to split both the Knights and Wests with each team at $1.91 for the match.

The Eels are expected to take care of the Sharks at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, while the Warriors will go in favourites over the Rabbitohs, at Mt Smart Stadium in New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.

In other games, the Dragons are favoured to get over the Raiders at WIN Stadium on Sunday and Penrith are at a short quote to take care of the Bulldogs at CUA Stadium on Monday night.

EnergyAustralia Stadium, Friday, May 21, 7.35pm (AEST)

Newcastle Knights 1.91 v 1.91 Wests Tigers

The Knights lost multiple players to injury in the second half against the Roosters but they still ran out comfortable 16 point winners. Junior Sa’u returns to the team while Evarn Tuimavave will be out for the rest of they year with an achilles injury and Isaac De Gois is set to miss two or three weeks to injury as well.

Wests were humiliated to the tune of 40 points by the Rabbitohs and they should certainly lift for this match, but they will have to do so without Liam Fulton and Blake Ayshford who will miss a few weeks due to injury.

Last 5 games

2009	Campbelltown Sports Stadium	Knights	24	v	26	Wests
2008	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Knights	26	v	38	Wests
2007	ANZ Stadium	Knights	26	v	24	Wests
2007	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Knights	14	v	33	Wests
2006	Campbelltown Sports Stadium	Knights	18	v	16	Wests

When these two sides meet it is usually a high scoring affair with the last five games ranging from 34 points to 64 points total. Three of the five games have been decided by exactly two points, with the Knights winning two and Wests one. At this venue, Wests has won the last two encounters at this venue by 12 and 19 points respectively.

We like: Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers has plenty to prove after their insipid effort last week and with the Knights injuries to key players, we think Wests has the cattle that can see them turn last week’s humiliation into victory this week.

Parramatta Stadium, Saturday, May 22, 7.30pm (AEST)

Parramatta Eels 1.30 v 3.60 Cronulla Sharks

The Eels have taken a while to find their best this season but they have won four on the trot and they showed with the 7 point win over the Sea Eagles last round that they are almost back to their best. Eric Grothe and Matt Keating are set to play this week but they lose the talented Timana Tahu and Jarryd Hayne for the Sharks encounter.

The Sharks were thrashed 34-14 at home by the Panthers and they face the Eels with much the same side that could not match it with Penrith which does not bode well for their chances here.

Last 5 games

2010	Toyota Stadium	Eels	0	v	11	Sharks
2009	Toyota Stadium	Eels	30	v	0	Sharks
2009	Parramatta Stadium	Eels	10	v	13	Sharks
2008	Toyota Stadium	Eels	14	v	16	Sharks
2007	Parramatta Stadium	Eels	24	v	25	Sharks

The Sharks have a wonderful record against the Eels in recent years and have won four of the last five meetings, including an 11-0 win earlier in the year at Toyota Stadium. In fact, Parramatta has had one win in its last seven clashes against the Sharks at this venue, and that was way back in 2003.

We like: Parramatta Eels

The $1.30 about the Eels does not look too healthy when you factor in their recent history against the Sharks, especially their most recent clash earlier in the season when the Sharks didn’t even let the Eels score. Having said that, the Eels are playing much better now and should be able to manage the win in a close one.

Recent history says the Eels are way under the odds and the Sharks are value, but form says the Sharks will have to battle hard. If you fancy the Sharks then have a crack at picking your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.

Mt Smart Stadium Sunday May 23, 2.00pm (AEST)

NZ Warriors 1.80 v 2.00 South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Warriors found good form again at home defeating the Cowboys by 12 points and inclusion of Seymour ably assisted the home team in the win. Mannering returns for the Warriors but they are still without the imposing figure of Vatuvei for this clash.

The Rabbitohs destroyed Wests last week with a 50-10 scoreline and both Sandow and Sutton working in tandem to cut through the Tigers backline at will. Captain Roy Asotasi will be missed by the away team, along with Taylor, who is on origin duty.

Last 5 games

2009	Mt Smart Stadium	Warriors	16	v	22	Rabbitohs
2008	ANZ Stadium	Warriors	16	v	18	Rabbitohs
2008	Mt Smart Stadium	Warriors	28	v	35	Rabbitohs
2007	ANZ Stadium	Warriors	18	v	16	Rabbitohs
2006	ANZ Stadium	Warriors	66	v	0	Rabbitohs

In their past ten meetings, the Warriors dominated early winning the first seven games, while the Rabbitohs have managed to win the past three, including two at this very venue, and travelling to play at Mt Smart Stadium will hold no fears for Souths.

We like: South Sydney Rabbitohs

This game appears very even and could go either way, so for us the Rabbitohs are the value, especially if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start. Souths big win over Wests last weekend will give them plenty of belief for this encounter and their recent winning record against the Warriors is hard to ignore when they are at a value price.

WIN Stadium, Sunday, May 23, 3.00pm (AEST)

St George Dragons 1.75 v 2.10 Canberra Raiders

The Dragons beat the Bulldogs last week by 13 points in a tough match and they welcome back Saffy and Scott but lose multiple players to origin duty.

The Raiders went down at home to the Storm last round and they wont find this game any easier, especially without Shillington and Learoyd-Lahrs away on origin service.

Last 5 games

2009	Canberra Stadium	Dragons	12	v	24	Raiders
2008	WIN Stadium	Dragons	12	v	19	Raiders
2008	Canberra Stadium	Dragons	14	v	21	Raiders
2007	WIN Stadium	Dragons	58	v	16	Raiders
2007	Canberra Stadium	Dragons	6	v	30	Raiders

The Raiders have a terrific record against the Dragons and have won the last three encounters over the league leaders, including their only meeting last season at Canberra. The Dragons has lost nine of the last ten matches against the Canberra side.

We like: Canberra Raiders

The Dragons are ripe for the taking here with key players on origin duty and they have struggled against the strength of Canberra in recent times. The Raiders should be able to ram home the advantage in this match and get up in a close one. They are certainly a great bet if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start, especially with their recent domination over St George.

CUA Stadium, Monday, May 24, 7.00pm (AEST)

Penrith Panthers 1.40 v 3.10 Canterbury Bulldogs

The Panthers were much too good for the Sharks last round and for the clash against the Bulldogs they will be without Waterhouse, Lewis and Civoniceva to Origin duty, but they get Pritchard back from injury.

The Bulldogs were competitive against the Dragons last week but could not sustain the effort. They too are also affected by Origin duty with Idris, Ennis and Kimmorely all absent, while Barba is set to show his skills for Canterbury.

Last 5 games

2009	ANZ Stadium	Panthers	12	v	19	Bulldogs
2009	CUA Stadium	Panthers	26	v	28	Bulldogs
2008	CUA Stadium	Panthers	52	v	16	Bulldogs
2008	ANZ Stadium	Panthers	30	v	4	Bulldogs
2007	ANZ Stadium	Panthers	30	v	20	Bulldogs

The Panthers won four in a row in 2007 and 2008 but the Bulldogs won both clashes last year by 2 and 7 points respectively.

We like: Penrith Panthers

The Panthers appear to have the better side on paper with both sides losing key players to Origin duty. The Bulldogs will severely miss Ennis and Kimmorley and that may very well be the difference between the two sides on the day and it is Penrith for ours.