Betting tips / James Sweeney / 11 July 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The Bulldogs are in hot enough form that James Sweeney expect them to give the Eels a complete towelling in Friday night NRL.

CANTERBURY v PARRAMATTA

5 units on Canterbury @ Betfair odds of (1.10).

There has been no bigger certainty in the NRL this season than that of the Canterbury Bulldogs giving the hapless Parramatta an old-fashioned touch-up come this Friday night.

The Bulldogs are hot at present, arguably the hottest team in the NRL, with six wins on the trot. They have lost just five times this year and only twice against teams outside the top eight and one of those - when they lost their halfback early - was excusable.

It is hard to see an Eels side, who have won just three times this year and were down 34-0 against Manly at halftime last Sunday, put up a serious fight this week. The Eels have lost three straight to the Bulldogs and have lost seven straight at ANZ Stadium, by an average of more than 20 points.

With no game breaker like Jarryd Hayne, it is hard to see the Eels getting within 20 here.

NEWCASTLE v MANLY

2 units on Manly @ Betfair odds of (1.34) or better

The Sea Eagles engine is about to kick into fifth gear.

On a warm Sunday afternoon at Brookvale last week, they had 40 after 45 minutes and could have put on 80 if they didn't take the foot off the pedal. More importantly, the long injury list that has beset the club is starting to get ever-smaller, with Glenn Stewart set to return this week.

The concern with the Knights is that they lack the ability to go with good sides, they are an uninspiring two wins and five losses against top eight sides and they haven't beaten one since round four, losing by an average of 22 since.

The Sea Eagles have won seven of their last nine and three of four on the road this season. The Knights have failed to cover the line in six of seven outings this season as an underdog while Manly have won their last four of five against Newcastle.

They can be tried with total confidence.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v CRONULLA

1.5 units on Cronulla @ Betfair odds of (1.90) or better

Despite the home ground edge, I find it surprising that St George Illawarra find themselves starting favourites in this heated local derby.

The Dragons have won just two of their last eight and were hardly convincing in either, sneaking home by just two points. Their attack has been abhorrent all year, scoring 20 points or more a miserly four times this season.

The Sharks are strong defensively and are equally as potent in attack. They have lost just three of their last 14 and they could be helped with the return of Paul Gallen. The Dragons have won five of the last seven against Cronulla but the wheel is turning.

This one is going to little brother.