Betting tips / James Sweeney / 23 May 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Previewing the next round of the NRL, James Sweeney sees Souths as being too strong for the Raiders and the hapless Eels continuing their terrible run of losses.

South Sydney v Canberra
2 units on South Sydney at Betfair Match Odds of $1.25 ($1.41 available)

South Sydney are rolling.

They have really found their identity under Michael Maguire and it has resulted in five wins in their last six games. The side is playing with a great confidence, prepared to spin the ball and work the fringes hard, while Issac Luke gets the team constantly moving forward with outstanding dummy half running.

Even without Dave Taylor and Greg Inglis last week, the Bunnies proved too strong for St George Illawarra thanks to the composed play of rookie halfback Adam Reynolds. Souths have won their last two against the Raiders by an average margin of 16 points and have won five of six at ANZ.

The Raiders have lost eight of their last 10 road games and are 2-7 in Sydney over the last two seasons.

The Bunnies should have few problems peeling through a flimsy Raiders defence.


Newcastle v Gold Coast
1 unit on Newcastle at Match Odds of $1.40 ($1.52 available)

Newcastle and the Titans tend to play high-scoring encounters, with seven of their eight matches tallying over 40 points, and with two of the last three finishing with 70 total points.

This certainly suits a Newcastle team capable of racking up a score.

The Titans have not won a game totalling more than 45 points since round 23, 2010. The Knights are 5-3 all-time against the Titans including three of four in Newcastle.

Wayne Bennett's men have won four of five as a favourite and can be relied on to put too many points on the board for the limited Titans.


St George Illawarra v Parramatta
2 units on St George Illawarra at Match Odds of $1.20 ($1.42 available)

Smart punters will continue to back against Parramatta, the hapless Eels having won just eight of their last 40 matches.

Parramatta are just terrible. The bye will do little to alleviate that.

The Dragons are struggling for confidence but should have the basic defensive structure to stifle Parramatta. Jamie Soward ran himself into form last week and the Dragons' outside backs should have few problems ripping holes in the Eels' limp edge defence.

The Eels have lost 10 of their last 11 on the road while the Dragons have won five of their last six at WIN Stadium.

The Dragons have won six of seven against the Eels and are about to make it seven of eight.