Couch Critic previews the NRL matches taking place on the 24th and 25th of September including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA
NRL ROUND 20 – THURSDAY & FRIDAY MATCHES
The past weekend started in the worst possible fashion with Souths tripping over the bottom placed Bulldogs. Fortunately Saturday and Sunday treated us better but it was hardly a profitable weekend worth bragging about.
Round 20 is the final regular season Round so it’s certainly worth keeping this in mind as few teams actually have something worth playing for whilst the coaches have also taken the opportunity to ring the changes to freshen up before the playoffs.
BRISBANE BRONCOS vs NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS – Thu 24 Sep @ 11:50, Brisbane
The Broncos have a very real chance of finishing stone last in 2020. They do however meet fellow strugglers in the Cowboys on Thirsday. Along with this being a Queensland derby, Brisbane will also be keen to avoid the wooden spoon – this should truly be a death scrap at Suncorp on Thursday.
Kotoni Staggs has been moved to pivot by the home side whilst David Fafita misses out with injury. Payne Haas does however return which is a huge positive. Jason Taumalolo picked at lock for the Cobwoys will be a devastating sight for the hosts.
This annus horribilis can surely only end in one way for the Broncos – DEFEAT.
GOLD COAST TITANS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS – Fri 25 Sep @ 10:00, Gold Coast
The Knights have no chance of improving on their sixth spot yet have named a strong side for this clash. Bradman Best, Edrick Lee and Kurt Mann all return for Newcastle this week.
The Titans have been absolutely flying of late (coming into this one off four straight victories) and managed to put 42 points past Manly last week.
Given their good run of late the Gold Coast side certainly deserve their respect this week but I am firmly in the camp of the Knights going into the knockouts with some momentum as Ponga, Best and Lee run rampant.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS – Fri 25 Sep @ 11:50, ANZ Sydney
The regular season ends with the oldest rivalry in League footy as the Bunnies get ready to square off with the old foe – the Roosters. The defending champions have timed their run well and have now won five from their last five. The Chooks will look to secure third spot and have recalled Tedesco, Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner and Siosiua Taukeiaho.
The Bunnies come into this clash off the back of a shock defeat to the Bulldogs. In their last three outings it has been a loss to the Storm, a narrow escape over the Tigers and the Canterbury slip-up in Round 19.
One gets the feeling that Souths have just gone a touch off the boil at the wrong time. A focussed Roosters outfit will be chomping at the bit to get one over the old enemy and should be the ones doing the crowing come the weekend.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS (in order of preference)
Additional:
HT/FT Margin: Cowboys (1-8) / Cowboys (1-12) @ 10.50
The fact that this has some derby and wooden spoon significance has me leaning in favour of a tight Cowboys victory rather than the Broncos throwing in the towel in the final quarter.
HT/FT Margin: Knights (1-8) / Knights (13+) @ 8.80
Newcastle will have to work hard to break the Titans down in the first half but they could blow them away later if things start to click.
Tryscorers
Broncos vs Cowboys
With the big man at lock for this clash I expect him to have a huge impact on the match. The Hammer is in superb try-scoring form and should find some space to do his thing against a leaky Brisbane defence.
Titans vs Knights
Ponga is operating at his very best form at present and he should prove a handful.
Rabbitohs vs Roosters
I’m backing the Morris brother to have a royal night out.
Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
