Finding winners and value bets in Round 7 of the 2015 NRL season

ROUND 6 of the NRL proved to be a good round for our followers.

We tipped the Sharks to continue their season comeback and win by 13+ ($4) against the Knights, to which they did, and the Titans to cover the spread against the Eels.

Later that weekend we got the Panthers spread-bet home and the Storm won their clash against the Raiders.

Round 7 has plenty of action with the Broncos vs. Dragons, Cowboys vs. Warriors and Storm vs. Rabbitohs all looming as big matches.

The week kicks off with a big double-header, Dragons vs. Broncos and Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles.

Dragons vs. Broncos

Friday, April 17, 7:45pm, Jubilee Oval

Dragons – $2.20 (+2.5)
Broncos – $1.67 (-2.5)

The Dragons’ resurgence continued with a 31-6 win over the injury-ridden Bulldogs last Sunday.

The mighty red and white have allowed only six points in their last two games and have scored 44 points in offense.

The Dragons are behind in the total head-to-head count between the two sides (13-17), but they return to Jubilee Oval, which is usually a happy hunting ground.

The Broncos are high-flying after their win against the Sydney Roosters. They are now unbeaten since losing to the Rabbitohs in round 1 and coach Wayne Bennett has them firing on all cylinders.

After a golden-point win against the Roosters, the Broncos are deserved favourites here, but this game should be a close one.

Tip: Broncos ($1.67) at CrownBet.com.au
Exotic: Justin Hodges to score – $2.45

Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles

Friday, April 17, 7:45pm, ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs – $1.80 (-1.5)
Sea Eagles – $2 (+1.5)

This is effectively a game between two teams that are struggling with not only form, but injuries.

The Bulldogs went down to the Dragons 31-6 last week, but their injury count and suspension list is imposing. Their lineup still warrants respect and the bookmakers have given it to them.

The Sea Eagles are on a downward spiral and the rumour-mill is constantly spinning. They lost by 10 points to the Panthers last week and they’re struggling to find their identity.

The usual tough defense is nowhere to be seen and that could be exposed by a Bulldogs team that features Josh Reynolds, Curtis Rona and Josh Morris.

We’re expecting the usual tough game between these two, but the Bulldogs to edge away late.

Tip: Bulldogs to win ($1.80)
Exotic: Bulldogs -5.5 ($2.38) at Sportsbet.com.au

Titans vs. Panthers

Saturday, April 18, 3:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans – $1.93 (+1.5)
Panthers – $1.87 (-1.5)

The Titans came to play last week against the Eels, running away with the game 38-16 in a dominating display of power-running and skill.

With their players back from suspension, it took a couple of games for the Titans to find their feet, but now they are looking to march on against the gritty Penrith Panthers.

The Panthers sit at 7th on the league ladder with three wins and three losses, their latest effort a 10-point win against the Manly Sea Eagles.

The odds suggest that this game will be close, but we get the feeling if the game was being played at the Panthers home, they would be in the -6.5 range.

The value is with the Panthers but the Titans are on a roll and they’re a streaky team which could pull off the upset here.

Tip: Halftime or fulltime draw – $9 at WilliamHill.com.au
Exotic: David Mead to score ($2.20)

Cowboys vs. Warriors

Saturday, April 18, 5:35pm, 1300 Smiles Stadium

Cowboys – $1.36 (-8)
Warriors – $3.15 (+8)

The Cowboys launched right back into premiership contention with a stylish 30-12 victory over NRL favourites South Sydney Rabbitohs last Monday night.

After a dismal start to the season and criticism coming by the way of Johnathan Thurston, the Cowboys looked to be under all sorts of pressure but, after back-to-back wins, they are reasserted themselves as top contenders this season.

They face the Warriors, who are getting no respect from bookmakers at $3.15. The New Zealand-based franchise is coming off a gritty 32-22 win against the Wests Tigers, who celebrated Manu Vatuvei’s 200th NRL game.

The Warriors are very hot and cold and travelling into North Queensland has often posed problems for them, so we’re expecting the Cowboys to continue their fight back.

Tip: Cowboys (-8) at Crownbet.com.au
Exotic: Cowboys – 11.5 at $2.15

Storm vs. Roosters

Saturday, April 18, 7:35pm, AAMI Park

Storm – $1.97 (+1.5)
Roosters – $1.83 (-1.5)

The Storm are coming off a narrow victory over the Raiders, which is better than it looked considering their record against the Canberra Raiders isn’t good.

The Storm are sitting second on the table with four wins and two losses, two points in front of the Sydney Roosters which are reeling after two consecutive defeats.

Their team looks good on paper, but after losses to the Sharks and Broncos, the Roosters are struggling to assert their dominance that we witnessed most of last season.

Both teams rank highly on defense and we’re expecting this game to sit somewhere between the 20-30 point range.

Tip: Storm (+4.5) – $1.62
Exotic: Highest scoring half (second half) – $1.83 at Sportsbet.com.au

Tigers vs. Raiders

Sunday, April 19, 2:05pm, Leichhardt Oval

Tigers – $1.40 (-7.5)
Raiders – $2.95 (+7.5)

The Tigers looked good in patches against the Warriors and they had their chance to win late, but ultimately succumb under the pressure of trying to make a significant comeback.

They return to Leichhardt Oval where the have a good record but the Raiders have been worthy opposition this year and they pushed the Storm very close last week.

The Raiders scored a 29-16 win against the Sea Eagles in round 5 so they do have the ability to cause an upset but getting past the Tigers at home will be no easy task.

We’re expecting a solid win from the Tigers which will be looking to make their way into the top 8.

Tip: Tigers (-7.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet.com.au
Exotic: Tigers HTFT – $1.72

Knights vs. Eels

Sunday, April 19, 4:05pm, Hunter Stadium

Knights – $1.45 (-6.5)
Eels – $2.75 (+6.5)

The Knights may have taken a hit against the Sharks last week, but they should find solace in taking on the hapless Eels here.

The Eels have got spanked by 22 points last week and they scored only six points against the Tigers in round 5, which came after a surprising upset win against the Rabbitohs.

The Knights started their season on fire and remained unbeaten until the Dragons beat them 13-0 two weeks back.

Their team, on paper, remains solid and they have plenty of scoring threats across the park with Akuila Uate and Dane Gagai.

Expect the Knights to be too tough at home against the struggling Eels.

Tip: Knights (-6.5) – $1.90 at WilliamHill.com.au
Exotic: Knights 13+ at $2.65

Sharks vs. Rabbitohs

Monday, April 20, 7:05pm, Remondis Stadium

Sharks – $2.25 (+4.5)
Rabbitohs – $1.65 (-4.5)

The Sharks have turned their season around after a very poor start, with wins coming against the Roosters and the Knights last week.

The Sharks team looks very good on paper, but there seemed to be a lack of cohesion to start their season off. They seem to have righted their wrongs in recent weeks.

The Rabbitohs on the other hand don’t look as impressive as everyone thought they would be. Losses to the Eels and the Cowboys 30-12 last Monday has put them in their place but they remain favourites for this clash.

We think the Sharks will be up for the challenge and push the Rabbitohs close in a Monday night thriller.

Tip: Sharks (+4.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet.com.au
Exotic: Sharks to win at $2.25