After the opening three rounds of the 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership we find the Bunnies at the top of the table leading the way with upsets a plenty last weekend.
South Sydney continued their dominance retaining their unbeaten status this year with an easy 20 – 6 victory over the Tigers, no surprises there.
The Rabbitohs are now the $4.50 favourites with us here at Ladbrokes in the overall NRL Premiership winners markets with the Roosters, fourth on the table after a 20 – 12 win over Penrith, hot on their heels at $5.
Looking back on Round 3 there were plenty of shock results as well including the 44 – 22 thrashing the Brisbane Broncos gave the Cowboys, North Queensland now bottom of the ladder, in the Queensland Derby at the old Lang Park on Friday night.
Other big wins were celebrated by the Warriors and the Storm, while the Sharks and Titans join the Cowboys as the three teams yet to post competition points on the table.
So will the Rabbitohs continue their winning streak in Round 4 when they kick things off on Friday night taking on the Eels?
See below for our full NRL Round 4 preview and tips so you can place the winning bets with us this weekend.
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Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday, March 27 – 7:35pm AEDT – Pirtek Stadium
The Eels kicked off the season with an upset win in round one but are now looking down the barrel of three straight losses after a big 29 – 16 loss to the Warriors last Saturday. They play the competition leaders and reigning premiers in a massive test on Friday night and will be at big odds to score the upset of the round. All the stats stack in the Bunnies’ favour too, sorry Eels’ fans, with Souths having won seven straight over five years against Parra. Recent history and this year’s form say the Bunnies by a big margin.
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Friday, March 27 – 7:35pm AEDT – ANZ Stadium
The other Friday night match pits the Bulldogs against the Tigers, Canterbury hot favourites to win after beating Manly by four a week ago at Brookvale. The Tigers meanwhile faced off against the Bunnies and came away scarred after a 20 – 6 loss, but remain in eighth spot in the ladder. Canterbury have won six of the past seven between these two, and while the Tigers were brave against the Bunnies, we think the Bulldogs will salute for the punters here by a try at least.
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers
Saturday, March 28 – 3:00pm AEDT – Hunter Stadium
Along with South Sydney, it is the Knights who are also undefeated after the first three rounds of the season. Last weekend they made it three on the trot beating the Titans by just two points on the Gold Coast. It was close and the Titans haven’t put up much competition this season so on the short back-up the Knights look vulnerable. Penrith however played on Monday night so are also on the quick turnaround looking to atone for a 20 – 12 loss to the Roosters. The Knights get the home ground advantage and have won their last six games at home. That said money is coming for their competition here even though Penrith are without Jamie Soward again.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans
Saturday, March 28 – 5:30pm AEDT – Remondis Stadium
The Sharks are still winless this year after another loss last Saturday. They put 18 points on the board but were hopeless in defence letting Melbourne in with 36 of their own. They will need to be improving on that but the Titans are probably the easiest company here. A bit of a nothing match really, but one of these teams will finally post their first win of the season. Titans play without Daniel Mortimer (wrist), so under-20s player of the year Kane Elgey comes in for his NRL debut. Also of note, this is Chris Heighington’s 250th NRL game, and the 150th for William Zillman – can the Titans come good for them in the club’s 200th premiership fixture since their inauguration in 2007?
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Saturday, March 28 – 7:30pm AEDT – WIN Stadium
The Dragons are down in 12th spot but come off a two point victory over the Raiders last Saturday. They play Manly who are one below them on the ladder, and one of the big early season disappointments of 2015. The Sea Eagles were beaten by four last Friday night so have had over a week to rest and look the ones to beat here.
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
Sunday, March 29 – 12:00pm AEDT – Mt Smart Stadium
After a shock win, by 22 points no less, over the Cowboys last weekend Brisbane head to the chilly Mt Smart Stadium this Sunday to take on the Warriors. After a shaky start to the season the Broncos won back some love with their Derby success, while New Zealand also played a beauty last week beating the Eels 29 – 16. Bennett, who has named an identical side to last round, will be desperate to continue the momentum but a trip across the Tasman gives their competitors the imposing home game advantage. Brisbane’s win last week was comprehensive, but they still let in 22 points. New Zealand meanwhile looked the goods and should win again.
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders
Sunday, March 29 – 2:00pm AEDT – Allianz Stadium
The Roosters are the second most likely to win this year’s Premiership according to our early markets and were impressive last Monday night beating Penrith by eight points. They get an easier assignment here playing the Raiders in Sydney and the short odds are worth locking in. Both teams could have lost players to crusher tackles (Sam Moa and Shaun Fensom) but the duo was cleared on Wednesday night and free to play. Canberra also welcome back star fullback Jack Wighton. The teams last faced off in Round 12 last year with the Chooks taking an easy 26 – 12 win. The Tri-Colours are hard to go past again here, the talented squad boosted by Blake Ferguson coming into his own.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm
Monday, March 30 – 7:00pm AEDT – 1300 Smiles Stadium
Round 4 comes to a close on Monday night up in NQ with the Cowboys looking to atone for a disastrous start to the season. They are yet to win a match and left Brisbane embarrassed with their older brothers putting 22 points on them in the Derby clash, their biggest loss since June of 2012 when thrashed 58 points by Melbourne. Antonio Winterstein does make a return after taking time off having lost his brother earlier in the year, while the Storm have the same side as last week. Melbourne have won 19 of 27 played between these two and should do it again here, albeit narrowly.