TattsBet Finals Preview - Week 1 NRL & Week 2 QCup

by NRL

The words 'promoter's dream' have been aptly used to describe the first week of NRL finals, and what a beauty we have on Friday night.

Canterbury won the minor premiership, but opened as the outsiders at $2.15 to beat Manly. Both have a victory (away from home) over each other this year, but there has been a concerted push for the Bulldogs to win. Three times as many bets have been placed on the Bulldogs as opposed to Manly, and even the $2.10 for them now looks certain to disappear. Ironically they have been neglected in premiership betting at $4.50, with punters preferring Manly ($3.25) and Melbourne ($4.00), as well as the two Queensland sides.

Melbourne have won 13 of their last 15 starts against Souths, but again we have seen more money for the outsider in this game. The betting hasn't moved with Melbourne at $1.65 and Souths at $2.25, but there hasn't been any big bets to report.

Brisbane have a fantastic historical record over the Cowboys, but the North Queensland side won both encounters this year, and really do come into this elimination final in better form. Brisbane fans are a very parochial breed however, and aside from close to $10,000 in premiership bets coming this week at $17.00, they have met with solid support at $2.75 to win this game. On the flip side, the Cowboys have been the best backed favourite of the round, including an early bet of $6000 at $1.45, and are sure to start warm favourites.

Canberra doesn't have the best record when they are favourites, but they have opened at $1.60 to end Cronulla's season on Sunday. The Raiders have come from nowhere to grab a home final, and while they did beat the Warriors 42-22 last week, the major concern we have is that they were behind 22-6 at half time. It seems as though punters view them as a risky proposition as we have noticed a lot more betting for the Sharks at $2.35, and the line has moved in half a point to +4.0. A reminder that TattsBet will be betting 'live' throughout the matches, and premiership betting will be updated at the completion of each game.

The QRL finals series continues this week, and Wynnum Manly are $1.52 to put an end to Norths final charge. Wynnum Manly were shock losers to Tweed heads last week and will be at home again, but the Devils have a strong looking side made up of a lot of Broncos players. While they did get into the final 5 in a photo finish, it is worth pointing out that Wynnum Manly won the final last year coming from 6th position (changed to a final 5 this year).

The Channel 9 game on Sunday will see the winner of the Redcliffe v Tweed Heads game progress to the Grand Final. Redcliffe have had a week off and lost their last two matches of the regular season, but they had already wrapped up the minor premiership. The early money has been for them at $2.75 as well as to cover the line of 6.5 points. In the two meetings this year Redcliffe won by 20 then 36 points, so all indicators are that they will be the team to progress. TattsBet will be betting live on this game as well.

RleagueBetting.com

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