2020 NRL Round 16 – Tips, Predictions & Odds

 2020 NRL Round 16 – Tips, Predictions & Odds

We have expert betting tips for all NRL Round 16 games this week, which kicks off with the Eels vs. Rabbitohs blockbuster on Thursday night.

There isn’t long until the playoffs and the top eight is starting to take shape. The teams outside the eight will need to get a wriggle on.

We look at the form of every NRL team in Round 16 and find the best value bets.

Thursday 27/8/20

7:50pm Parramatta Eels vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs @ Bankwest Stadium

The Eels proved too good for the understrength Melbourne Storm last Thursday and they have had a week to recover.

It was a 14-0 effort and although the game didn’t have many high points, keeping a team like the Storm scoreless is a good performance.

South Sydney is coming off their best 2020 performance when beating the Seal Eagles 56-16. It was one-way traffic and it should give them plenty of confidence for this game.

The Eels are the better team, so we’re sticking with the favourites.

Betting tip: Eels –5.5 @ $1.90

Eels by 8

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Friday 28/8/20

6:00pm St George Dragons vs. Gold Coast Titans @ Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

The Dragons kept in touch with the top eight after scoring a 28-24 win over the lifeless Brisbane Broncos. It was a close game but the Dragons proved too good in the clutch, which should give them confidence.

The same can’t be said for the Titans, who lost by 20 points to the Raiders. They started the game well but it looked like touch rugby in the second half.

Gold Coast could still be without their star players and St George should pounce on that.

Betting tip: Dragons –8.5 @ $1.90

Dragons by 12

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7:55pm Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos @ SCG

At the time of writing, the Broncos management is in talks with Anthony Seibold about his future with the club. Either way, we’re not sure how he still has a job given the form of the Broncos.

They haven’t won since the NRL returned after lockdown and the team, despite playing better last week, looks uninterested.

Likely to benefit from that are the Sydney Roosters, who despite having players missing last week, put the Wests Tigers to the sword.

Expect something similar in Round 16 as the Roosters run riot at the SCG.

Betting tip: Roosters –24.5 @ $1.90

Roosters by 30

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Saturday 29/8/20

3:00pm New Zealand Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights @ Scully Park

A close game is expected here with both the Warriors and Knights entering with good form. The Warriors scored a win over the Bulldogs last week and Newcastle were too strong for North Queensland.

Newcastle are the better side and their record suggest as much. However, an injury to Blake Green won’t help their already embattled unit.

New Zealand is missing their fair share of players as well, but the confidence is up and they could keep this game tight right till the final whistle.

Betting tip: Warriors +7.5 @ $1.90

Knights by 2

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5:30pm Cronulla Sharks vs. North Queensland Cowboys @ Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

The North Queensland Cowboys aren’t offering much this season and much like the other Queensland teams, they won’t be making the playoffs.

Cronulla got a sharp taste of reality last week when losing 38-12 to the Panthers. They were massively outsized in the forwards and it showed throughout the game.

However, going in their favour this week is the opposition. The Sharks match up well against the Cowboys, who have their eyes on the off-season already.

Betting tip: Sharks –10.5 @ $1.90

Sharks by 14

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7:35pm Penrith Panthers vs. Wests Tigers @ Panthers Stadium

Punters are wondering when the Panthers are going to have a slip up, but that is unlikely to come this week.

Penrith scored another top-class victory over the Sharks in Round 15 and they stand firmly at the top of the NRL leaderboard.

The Tigers looked set to make an amazing comeback against the Roosters on Saturday but after getting the score to 18-10, they ended up losing 38-16.

A win is needed this week to keep in touch with the top eight, but the opposition doesn’t get any easier.

Betting tip: Panthers –14.5 @ $1.90

Panthers by 22

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Sunday 30/8/20

4:05pm Melbourne Storm vs. Manly Sea Eagles @ Sunshine Coast Stadium

The Sea Eagles suffered an embarrassing loss to the Rabbitohs last week and they could be in for another on Sunday.

Even though Melbourne is fighting injuries and coming off a loss, they rarely lose two in a row and they won’t be losing this game.

Melbourne is a well-coach outfit that typically rights their wrongs quickly. Bookmakers have only 10.5 points between them, but Manly might need 20 points when it’s all said and done.

Betting tip: Storm –10.5 @ $1.90 

Storm by 20

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6:30pm Canberra Raiders vs. Canterbury Bulldogs @ GIO Stadium

No team wants to play Canberra at GIO Stadium and unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they’re next on the chopping block.

The Raiders have improved on their mid-season slump by beating the Titans with ease last week. They get another weak opponent here and they shouldn’t be losing this game.

Canterbury is coming off a 20-14 loss to New Zealand and despite some good moments, they were average late in the game.

Canberra are the firm favourites and with good reason.

Betting tip: Raiders –15.5 @ $1.90

Raiders by 20