The best odds, value and multi legs for NRL Round 21

THERE were big score lines across the board in what was a wild week of NRL.

The Broncos put 34 points on the Titans, the Rabbitohs won by 46 over the Knights and the premiership favourites North Queensland put the Eels away by 42.

The results should be a touch closer in Round 21, which kicks off with a Friday night double-header. The Sydney Roosters do battle with the tough Bulldogs and the Tigers look to save face against the Melbourne Storm.

Roosters vs. Bulldogs

Friday. July 31, 7:45pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters – $1.33 (-8.5)
Bulldogs – $3.30 (+8.5)

The Roosters have had a mixed season, but expect them to settle down towards the final rounds and their 33-8 against the Tigers was impressive last Friday.

The Bulldogs had been playing well up until their 18-16 loss to the resurgent Cronulla Sharks, but punters shouldn’t write them off against the Roosters.

These are two heavyweight teams and both like to play the same type of league. Expect a battle in the forwards before the outside backs like Jennings and the Morris brothers to start opening up.

Tip: Bulldogs -8.5 ($1.90) at Sportsbet.com.au
Exotic: Under 36.5 points at $1.90

Tigers vs. Storm

Friday, July 31, 7:45pm, Leichhardt Oval

Tigers – $3.05 (+8.0)
Storm – $1.38 (-8.0)

There aren’t many positives to describe the season the Wests Tigers are having. On paper their team looks like a playoff contender, but after being put away by the Roosters last week, they look done.

The Tigers won’t get much respite as they take on the Melbourne Storm which will be full of confidence after beating the Dragons by 18 points.

Even without Billy Slater, the Storm have found their form towards the finals and they should put the Tigers to sleep here.

Tip: Storm -8.0 ($1.90) at CrownBet.com.au
Exotic: Over 39.5 points at $1.90

Warriors vs. Sharks

Saturday, August 1, 3:05pm, Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors – $1.77 (-2.0)
Sharks – $2.05 (+2.0)

We tipped the Sharks to beat the Warriors at $2.85 just a week ago, but we didn’t realise the Warriors would be without their star play maker Shaun Johnson.

The value in the head-to-head betting has come and gone so punters will have to contend with taking the $2.05 about the Sharks now.

The men from Cronulla are coming off a win against the Bulldogs and even though the quality wasn’t there, they brought themselves back into playoff contention.

The Warriors game against Manly couldn’t have been much worse. It was an injury-ridden game and losing Johnson is basically their season ended.

Tip: Sharks to win ($2.05) at Sportsbet.com.au
Exotic: Sharks HTFT at $2.80

Cowboys vs. Raiders

Saturday, August 1, 5:35pm, 1300 Smiles Stadium

Cowboys – $1.20 (-13.5)
Raiders – $4.60 (+13.5)

The North Queensland Cowboys put a number on the Eels last Monday night, but the win wasn’t as convincing as many people expected.

Yes, they ended up winning by a big margin, but the Eels boomed a chance to tie the game with only 30 minutes left and the Cowboys looked under pressure.

Making it harder for the Cowboys to cover such a big margin this Saturday is the fact that the Raiders are vying for a top eight spot after their 34-24 win over Penrith last week.

There’s no denying the Cowboys form, but we are hoping the Raiders’ talented back line can overcome the points start.

Tip: Raiders +13.5 ($1.90) at Bet365.com.au
Exotic: Sea Eagles vs. Broncos

Saturday, August 1, 7:35pm, Central Coast Stadium

Sea Eagles – $2.65 (+6.0)
Broncos – $1.48 (-6.0)

The Sea Eagles managed to overpower the Warriors in the second half last week, but their ever growing injury toll continued and the sacking of Geoff Toovey doesn’t help things.

Manly sacked their coach this week – who will stay on for the rest of the season – but with so many off-field problems this year, the Broncos could well have a field day.

The league-leading Brisbane Broncos haven’t really been tested in recent weeks and they have been winning by big margins.

The points spread line of 6 looks very enticing for Broncos backers and we think they can get the job done.

Tip: Broncos -6.0 ($1.91) at WilliamHill.com.au
Exotic: Broncos 9.5 at $2.28

Dragons vs. Knights

Sunday, August 2, 2:05pm, Jubilee Oval

Dragons – $1.36 (-8.5)
Knights – $3.15 (+8.5)

If the Dragons can’t win and win easily against the Knights, then they will probably kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

The Dragons are on an almighty losing streak and they are treading water worse than Eddie the Eel, but a win against the very average Knights should steer them in the right direction.

The Knights got trounced against the Rabbitohs last week and we can’t see them improving enough to head to Jubilee Oval and pull off the upset.

Don’t expect a high quality game.

Tip: Dragons -8.5 ($1.90) at Sportsbet.com.au
Exotic: Justin Hunt to score first at $9.50

Rabbitohs vs. Panthers

Sunday, August 2, 4:10pm, ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs – $1.14 (-16.0)
Panthers – $5.75 (+16.0)

The Rabbitohs were in a mood to put a big score on the Knights last week and they will likely have a field day against the Panthers.

The biggest line of the week features a potential top four team against the Panthers which really needed to win last week to force their way inside the eight.

Expect many of the Rabbitohs outside backs to score a try in this game and Alex Johnson are only $1.50 to score a try, you know the bookmakers are expecting the same.

Tip: Rabbitohs -16.0 at $1.90
Exotic: Johnson to score a try ($1.50) at CrownBet.com.au

Titans vs. Eels

Monday, August 3, 7:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans – $1.60 (-4.0)
Eels – $2.35 (+4.0)

When the NRL set this Monday night game pre-season, they probably thought there would be some interest in it.

Reality is that both of these teams are going very average and the expected audience of this game should be rather low.

Betting wise, there looks to be value with the Eels which hung around for 50 minutes against the Cowboys and if their winger hadn’t bombed a try, they might have scared them.

The $2.35 looks good, but anything could happen.

Tip: Eels to win ($2.35) at Sportsbet.com.au
Exotic: Eels HTFT at $3.30