Couch Critic previews the NRL quarter finals taking place from the 2nd to 4th October including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA
It’s finals time in the NRL!
The Top 8 get ready to take the gloves off as they spend the next four weeks looking to determine who amongst them gets to lift the Provan-Summons trophy.
Here’s how I see week 1 of the finals going down.
PENRITH PANTHERS vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS (Qualification Final 1) – Fri 2 Oct @ 11:50, Penrith
Having topped the table with plenty of room to spare the Panthers have first shot at booking their ticket into the semi-finals as well as the reward of a week off which comes with it. One would do well to disregard the Roosters’ efforts of last week as they quite clearly would already have had their minds on this challenge against the Panthers. (Some conspiracy theorist even believe they purposely let up against the Rabbitohs to secure a game against Penrith rather than the Storm).
I just love the way the men in black have performed in 2020 – they have without a doubt been a cut above the rest. However, this is finals footy and few are as cunning as the Chooks in lifting themselves for the big events which matter. Penrith doesn’t have nearly the same experience at playing at this stage of the comp and as such I have to lean toward the Champions keeping things extremely tight.
CANBERRA RAIDERS vs CRONULLA SHARKS – Sat 03 Oct@ 09:40, Canberra
Ironically this is a re-run from the final round of normal action. The two teams will however line-up quite differently for this battle for survival – lose and you’re out. Both teams will welcome back a whole host of their stars for this clash but the Sharks will miss their influential playmaker as “Magic” misses out due to injury.
The Raiders have shown some good form in recent times and shouldn’t have much of an issue with toppling Cronulla with their top players back. The cap is set rather well though but one thing I do expect from this clash is good attacking footy.
MELBOURNE STORM vs PARRAMATTA EELS – Sat 03 Oct @ 11:50, Suncorp Brisbane
The Storm have timed their run into the finals well as they come into the first round of the playoffs in good form and with all their key players fresh off a week spent resting up. Parramatta are one of the teams in the Top 8 who aren’t operating at their top level and I don’t see them being able to stay with the ultra-professional Melbourne who should clinch themselves a semi-final spot with relative ease.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS – Sun 27 Sep @ 06:00, Central Coast
Along with the Eels, the Knights enter the finals in anything but their best possible form. Ponga is a serious star but even he can’t singlehandedly keep his team alive in the competition. Newcastle will be confronted by Souths who are the talk of the town after raising their bat against the Roosters in the final round. Full of confidence and playing a side lacking rhythm the Bunnies should be knocking the Knights out of the 2020 tournament.
BETOLIMP BEST BET
Double: Roosters +7.5 onto Storm/Storm (HT/FT) @ 1.89
Raiders vs Sharks over 42.5 points @ 1.83
Panthers vs Roosters under 36.5 points @ 1.84
Additional Plays:
Panthers vs Roosters
Raiders vs Sharks
Storm vs Eels
Rabbitohs vs Knights
Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
