Round 5 looms as an opportunity more many underdogs to strike, which of course means it looks like another horror week for tipping.
Canterbury Bulldogs versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs were shocked last round by a rampant Eels outfit and will look to bounce back against a Bulldogs side which loves a grinding battle. Souths’ fast outside backs got the better of the Dogs in last year’s grand final and their rampaging forwards stood up to the likes of James Graham and Aiden Tolman.
The Rabbitohs should win this week in a tight one.
Souths by 8
Gold Coast Titans versus Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos have began to gain momentum with three consecutive victories against the Sharks, Cowboys and Warriors. The Titans, on the other hand, would have gained confidence from their tight win over Cronulla and will test the Broncos. However, in the end, the experience of the Brisbane outfit should get them home.
Broncos by 12
Manly Sea Eagles versus Canberra Raiders
This game proves quite difficult to predict. I was almost certain an injury-plagued Manly would hold off the Dragons on Saturday night, however they struggled to post points in a grinding contest. The Raiders were walloped by a clinical Roosters side and prove a serious chance of an upset in this one.
For me, this game will be determined by the attitude of the home side. It should be close.
Manly by 4
Newcastle Knights versus St George Illawarra Dragons
The Knights have produced a stunning four from four wins and have the ability to go for ten straight with games against the Dragons, Sharks, Eels, Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Tigers to come. The Dragons stunned the Sea Eagles with a great win at home and will be out to shock the high-flying Knights.
On a chilly Newcastle night, the home side should get home provided they maintain their enthusiasm and resist complacency.
Knights by 2
Sydney Roosters versus Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla sit at $5 outsiders for this one? Seems familiar. The last time these two sides met at Allianz, a heavily backed Roosters outfit capitulated at the hands of a youthful Cronulla outfit following the ASADA investigation.
Not much has changed. Sharks had their game against the Gold Coast won until a fatal intercept try saw them squander another chance at first victory in 2015. The Roosters are one of the form teams of the competition, having only lost to the Rabbitohs and look set for a comfortable victory.
However, the Sharks should be motivated to claim their first victory of the year, and if their forwards are able to maintain the Roosters pack, they have a chance. The Roosters seem the more settled of the two and an intriguing match up arises at the back with speedsters Valentine Holmes and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
The Sharks have the ability to win this but the cliché goes – the Roosters have too much class.
Roosters by 16
Parramatta Eels versus Wests Tigers
Both sides matched it with heavyweights of the competition last round, with an unlucky Tigers side going down in golden point and Parramatta storming to victory. In what shapes to be a very exciting match up, the youth of both sides will look to encourage entertaining, expansive footy.
The Tigers scraped home in this popular fixture last year, and off the back of improved performances against heavily fancied sides, they should look to maintain their enthusiasm.
Tigers by 4
Melbourne Storm versus New Zealand Warriors
This game shapes as quite intriguing. The Warriors were poor in the first half against the Broncos and fell short in the end, while the Storm put in a well balanced performance before encouraging a late Cowboys comeback.
Professionalism meets creativity in what is always an entertaining encounter and on the back of an impressive record against the Storm I will yet again lean towards a loss for the Storm against their New Zealand rivals.
Warriors by 6
Penrith Panthers versus North Queensland Cowboys
As a Panthers fan, this is developing to be an important clash for both sides. The Panthers have lost intensity in the past two weeks and will be hoping for a fit James Segeyaro to spark their otherwise uninspiring attack.
The Cowboys snuck home against the Storm and with confidence will look to upset the Penrith side at home. The Panthers have lost direction without Jamie Soward, however, back at home Matt Moylan should inspire against a motivated Cowboys side.
Penrith by 2
Upsets are aplenty this week, with tight matches predicted.
My best bet for an upset in Round 5 is the Warriors, who at $4 to win 1-12 look quite tempting.