Parity hits the NRL, as just two unbeaten teams remain after three weeks of action
Did anyone expect the Australian NRL to be so balanced after just three weeks of play?
There are just two teams left sitting at the top of the ladder at 3-0, and they will bookend the Week 4 schedule.
Late tonight/early tomorrow morning, the Penrith Panthers, who sit at the top of the ladder, will take on the bottom team, the Manly Sea Eagles, in what could be an ugly contest. Penrith does not allow points (just 10 in three games, 3.33 per contest), while Manly does not score them (28 in three games, 9.33 per contest). The lines on the margin betting bands for some of the games this week are about as low as I have ever seen for the 19+ (-105 for Penrith; usually it is up around +250-300 for games that could be blowouts). I have to see that as a lock here in the Penrith contest.
There are two games Friday, and both see teams as even BIGGER favorites than Penrith: South Sydney (-1667) against Canterbury, and Melbourne (-1250) against Brisbane.
Saturday has two more games, as does Sunday, with the final contest of Week 4 coming early Monday, as 3-0 Parramatta takes on Wests, in what could be another big margin win to end the weekend.
Here are the odds, times, and some best bets to look for this weekend.
Check Fubo.TV for channel listings
AUSTRALIA NRL RUGBY WEEK 4
THURSDAY
Manly Sea Eagles (+650) vs. Penrith Panthers (-1115), 5:05 a.m. EDT
FRIDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs (+850) vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs (-1667), 1:05 a.m. EDT
Melbourne Storm (-1250) vs. Brisbane Broncos (+700), 5:05 a.m. EDT
SATURDAY
Cronulla Sharks (-305) vs. North Queensland Cowboys (+230), 2:15 a.m. EDT
Gold Coast Titans (+140) vs. Canberra Raiders (-175), 4:45 a.m. EDT
SUNDAY
Newcastle Knights (-240) vs. SG Illawarra Dragons (+185), 2:05 a.m. EDT
Sydney Roosters (-245) vs. New Zealand Warriors (+188), 4:15 a.m EDT
MONDAY
Wests Tigers (+250) vs. Parramatta Eels (-345), 2 a.m. EDT
BEST BETS:
Penrith to win by 19+ points (-105)
Parramatta to win by 19+ points (+245)
South Sydney and over 42.5 points (-105)
Parlay, Melbourne -12.5, Penrith -12.5, Parramatta -3.5, pays (+190)