Round 4 kicks off with an absolute belter from Allianz Stadium where the hot Chooks take on three-time premiers Penrith though the Panthers will be without star half Nathan Cleary.
Best Bet
In a matchup many are forecasting to be the decider this year, the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers square off to open Round 4.
The Panthers opened up 6.5-point road favourites but when news came out that Nathan Cleary was out with injury – along with Scott Sorensen and news that James Fisher-Harris would not return – the betting shifted to see the Roosters favoured by 4.5 points.
The Roosters have lost Lindsay Collins but get Luke Keary back.
Penrith are not nearly as bad as many make out without Nathan Cleary but against a top-tier team like the Roosters who are defending very well, this looks like too big a task.
The Roosters have won their last three at Allianz but most notably, teams off big early season wins hold their form and are typically undervalued by the market the following week. Teams off wins of 40 or more are 25-9 against the spread the last four years.
Expect the Roosters to really place their name front and centre of the title race on Thursday.
Same Game Multi
Dominic Young is one of the most dangerous tryscorers with 41 tries in 47 games and has thrived in his two games with the Roosters, scoring in each.
Joseph Manu has been in outstanding tryscoring form with three tries in three games this year.
Value Bet
Sitili Tupounia is one of the better edge running forwards in the NRL and he knows his way to the tryline. He has 23 tries in 52 games when starting in the second row. He will be used a lot on Thursday.
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