Betting tips / James Sweeney / 06 June 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

James Sweeney reminds you not to take Canberra and Newcastle on face value when considering who might win in their next NRL match-up.

Newcastle v Canberra
1 unit on Newcastle @ Betfair Match Odds of (1.50) ($1.50 available)

Both teams are really struggling this year and both are coming off horrid losses: Newcastle letting 50 in against the Broncos and Canberra getting smacked 40-0 at home by a Wests Tigers team that was hardly electric.

On face value, these two teams appear to be in the same position. They are not.

For the Knights, there is hope. Wayne Bennett knows that short-term pain is needed for long-term gain. There is a vision for the future.

At Canberra, there is no such hope. David Furner is a man without ideas and without a future. He survives only on the patronage of his family name. The Raiders are a bad team who have given up on their coach. The Raiders have won just four of 11 against the Knights and have not won in Newcastle since 2005, losing the last five at the venue by an average of 16.2.

Canberra have lost nine of 11 away, while the Knights have covered three of four when favoured.

The obvious is the play here, even with Newcastle losing Akuila Uate and Darius Boyd to Origin (Canberra are without just David Shillington).

Cronulla v Gold Coast
2.5 units on Gold Coast@ Betfair Match Odds of (1.90) or better ($2.08 available)

The Titans are a team on the rise and can make it four on end against a Sharks team who have really lost all momentum over the last three weeks.

John Cartwright's team has been exceptional since young pivot Aiden Sezer got his shot in first grade, winning three on the trot after a golden point loss to the Wests Tigers. Against North Queensland at home last week, they showed a great deal of courage, winning on the back of some stout defence. This week they have lost Luke Bailey to injury and Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison to Origin but probably come out square against a Sharks team without Paul Gallen and Todd Carney.

The Sharks rolled the Storm at home in round 10 but have been beaten in their last two, last week by the lowly Parramatta, and have lost all confidence. These two have split their eight matches evenly but the Titans did win at Shark Park last season and have won three of their last four on the road.

This Titans bandwagon is worth riding.


Sydney Roosters v Brisbane
1 unit on Brisbane @ Betfair Match Odds of $2.00 or better ($2.08 available)

The Broncos have once again been decimated by Origin with Sam Thaiday, Petero Civoniceva, Ben Hannant, Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett all out on Maroon duty for the Roosters clash.

This 'baby Broncos' team is not without its chances though against a Roosters team that has lost just halfback Mitchell Pearce. The Roosters are arguably just as good with Daniel Mortimer in the No.7 jersey but the Broncos still field a formidable outfit which shows the tremendous depth at the club.

The key to this will be the liveliness of Corey Norman and Josh Hoffman. The big Roosters side struggles with lateral movement and these small livewires can run the Chooks ragged. Brisbane have won nine of 12 against the Roosters including seven of eight at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters enter this on the back of five losses in their last six.