2023 NRL Round 20 Betting Predictions
Round 20 begins with the Knights looking to continue the Tigers woes in Newcastle on Friday night footy.
Newcastle Knights (14th) vs Wests Tigers (17th)
The Knights enjoyed the bye after smashing the Dogs 66-0. After losing 3 straight games, it gives them a chance of making the top 8. But they must beat the Tigers on Friday night.
The Tigers are currently on a 5-game losing streak and went down to the Sharks 36-12 last week. They should be desperate to end this losing run but injuries have made it tough. However, they do get Api Koroisau back from injury.
The Under has a strong trend in this matchup and the Tigers are 8-2 against the Under in their last 10. Hopefully, their defence comes to play and the return of Api should help them in that department.
Stadium Record
Newcastle are 4-6 in their last 10 games at this venue. Wests are 3-2 in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Knights are 6-5 against the Tigers since 2018.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (15th) vs Brisbane Broncos (2nd)
The Dogs showed some fight last week as they beat the undermanned Rabbitohs 36-32. After an embarrassing 66-0 result against the Knights, it was a nice bounce back in what has been a disappointing season. Interestingly, they don't have a great record at Belmore but do get the Broncos without a few key players.
The Broncos held off the Dolphins in the derby last week 24-16 and sit nicely in the top 4. They will be missing the likes of Haas and Walsh for this matchup. But they still have plenty of weapons and depth to cover the loss.
Brisbane have a lot to play for and should be able to dominate the leaky Dogs. The Bulldogs also have a poor 1-9 ATS record at Belmore.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are just 2-8 in their last 10. Brisbane are 4-2 in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Broncos are 4-1 against the Bulldogs in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (10th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (9th)
The Sea Eagles will be fresh from the bye and just held on to beat the Roosters 18-16 in Round 18. This is a huge clash in terms of the top 8 and Manly will be hoping DCE can back up from Origin.
The Cowboys are one of the hottest sides at the moment after 4 straight wins and a place in the top 8 is on the line. They got some revenge over the Tigers in Round 18 with a 74-0 crushing win. However, they will have some key players backing up from Origin so late team changes could impact them.
Manly have a strong record after the bye at 9-0 ATS and this should be a close clash.
Stadium Record
Manly are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. North Queensland are 4-1 in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Sea Eagles are 4-2 against the Cowboys since 2018.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles +3.5 = $1.95
Sydney Roosters (13th) vs Melbourne Storm (4th)
The Roosters have lost back-to-back games by 2 points so they'll be desperate to finish off a close win in this matchup. They would also like to get revenge over the Storm after losing 28-8 in Melbourne in April. Brandon Smith should also be keen for a big game against his former side.
The Storm's 3-game winning streak ended against the Panthers in Round 18 as they went down 34-16. They'll have the likes of Munster, Grant and Coates backing up from Origin so Bellamy could swing some late changes.
This rivalry matchup is always good to watch and both sides should be fired up defensively. So I like the Under, which is 4-0 in the Roosters last 4 games.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 3-3 in their last 6. Melbourne are 2-1 in their history.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Storm are 6-4 against the Roosters.
Best Bet
New Zealand Warriors (6th) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (3rd)
The Warriors got the job done over the undermanned last week in a 46-10 result. However, this should be a much tougher challenge against the Sharks. They were disappointing in their last game at this venue, losing 28-6 to Souths, so that will be a focus for the Warriors in this one.
The Sharks have won their last 3 games but haven't played a tough opponent over that span. They've beaten the Tigers 36-12, Dragons 52-16 and Dogs 48-10. So this matchup will be a true test of their form at the moment.
Cronulla have an excellent record in NZ having covered in their last 6 games and Hynes should be the key difference maker.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 4-2 at this venue since 2021. Cronulla has won their last 3 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Sharks are 3-2 against the Warriors in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks -1.5 = $1.95
Dolphins (12th) vs Penrith Panthers (1st)
The Dolphins kept their chances of making the finals alive with a huge 23-21 win over the Titans last week. They're back at their spiritual home this week in Redcliffe and they're yet to lose a game at this venue so far.
The Panthers travel north with a 4-1 record in their last 5. Before the bye last week, they crushed the Storm 34-16. There's still no Nathan Cleary and it'll be interesting to see if their Origin stars backup in this matchup.
The Dolphins should be a tough opponent on their home deck and will hopefully stand up defensively against the ladder leaders.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 2-0 in their history. Penrith have the same record.
Head to Head Record
This is the first NRL meeting.
Best Bet
Parramatta Eels (7th) vs Gold Coast Titans (11th)
The Eels struggled last week in a 46-10 loss against the Warriors but they were missing the likes of Moses and Gutherson. Parra's key duo should be back for this clash and the Eels will be looking to continue their march up the ladder.
The Titans are coming off back-to-back heartbreaking defeats. Last week, they lost to the Dolphins in golden point 23-21 and previously lost a close one in Canberra 26-22. So with a top 8 spot on the line, the Titans need to win this. However, they have 4 key players backing up from Origin and that will make it tougher.
Parra are tough to beat at Comm Bank with Moses/Gutho in the lineup and the Titans are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 interstate games.
Stadium Record
Parramatta are 7-3 in their last 10 games at this venue. Gold Coast are 0-2 at this venue since 2021.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Eels are 6-1 against the Titans.
Best Bet
