NRL Round Four betting previews, free tips, analysis and predictions

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for round four of the 2020 NRL season.

Where to watch

All games live on Sky Sports

Best bets

Sydney Roosters -10 (10.55am Thurs)
2pts 10-11 general

Panthers-Panthers double result (9am Fri)
1pt Evs Betfred

Melbourne Storm to win by one to 12 points (10.55am Fri)
1pt 19-10 bet365

Parramatta Eels (8.30am Sat)
2pts 3-4 Betway

Newcastle Knights +8.5 (7.05am Sun)
1pt 5-6 Betfred

Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters
10.55am Thursday

Reigning two-time NRL champions Sydney Roosters began 2020 with two narrow defeats but they returned from the competition’s hiatus with aplomb last week.

The break has enabled some of the Chooks’ injury doubts to recover and they were far too powerful for rivals South Sydney last weekend.
The Roosters powered away from the Rabbitohs in the second half and it may be a similar story at Suncorp Stadium this morning against Brisbane.

The Broncos were well in the game at 12-6 down to the Eels last week but were put to the sword after the break, losing the second half 22-0.

They will undoubtedly be better for the run out but so too will the Roosters, who have named an unchanged side.

Sydney are a relentless winning unit who keep testing sides until the very last minute and that fitness could come into its own in the second half.

Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors
9am Friday

New Zealand Warriors got off the mark for the season last weekend as they resumed winning ways against a lacklustre Dragons side.

The unbeaten Panthers will provide them with a much sterner test, however.

Penrith have already scored 42 points more than the Warriors this season and that attacking edge may prove decisive.

Back the Panthers to be leading at half-time and the final whistle.

Melbourne Storm v
South Sydney Rabbitohs
10.55am Friday

Melbourne Storm were left shell-shocked by the Raiders in round three but are favourites to get back to winning ways at the first time of asking against South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs were competitive in the first half of their clash with the Roosters last week before slipping off the pace in the second half.

Melbourne have bossed this fixture since their introduction to the NRL in 1998, winning 26 of 31 matches, but the Bunnies are rarely stuffed so opt for a narrow Storm success.

Parramatta Eels v Manly Sea Eagles
8.30am Saturday

Parramatta signalled notice of their NRL title ambitions with a devastating 34-6 triumph at Brisbane last week.

The Eels were exceptional in attack, especially in the second period at Suncorp Stadium, running in six tries.

The early pacesetters have already posted 88 points this term but their defence is just as impressive.

Parramatta have conceded just 14 points in three games and that could just hand them the edge against rivals Manly.

The Sea Eagles also look a side destined for the playoffs and returned with a thumping 32-6 win over the Bulldogs.

This looks set to be the best tie of the round but the Eels were so impressive last week that they get the vote.

North Queensland Cowboys
v Cronulla Sharks
10.35am Saturday

Cronulla Sharks have yet to get going in 2020 but are a capable side on their day.

The Sharks are underdogs for their trip to North Queensland, who in Valentine Holmes possess a player who will be very familiar to Cronulla.

Holmes has returned to the NRL after an unsuccessful crack at American Football but the Aussie international has slotted seamlessly back in and could be an interesting proposition to come back to bite the Sharks with a first Cowboys try.

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights
7.05am Sunday

Last season’s beaten Grand Finalists Canberra look a side who mean business in their attempt to go one better in 2020.

The Raiders are three from three so far and were dominant against the Storm last weekend.

They face the unbeaten Knights on Sunday but will be without injured England star John Bateman.

Opponents Newcastle have shown they have no problems finding the tryline this season and they could keep things closer than expected.

Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers
9.30am Sunday

Life doesn’t get any easier for NRL also-rans Gold Coast.

The Titans slumped to their 14th straight NRL defeat last weekend and it’s hard to see anything but another reverse against the Wests Tigers, who, inspired by mercurial half-back Benji Marshall, were clinical against the Sharks in round three.

Canterbury Bulldogs v
St George Illawarra Dragons
7.05am Monday

Both of these sides have endured miserable starts to the season, each losing their opening three outings, which makes their clash on Monday difficult to call.

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