NRL Round 25

b10111 · August 25, 2010

-6.5 Wests Tigers v Storm +6.5 Wests Tigers win

Last home game of the regular season and the record for the Wests at the Leichhardt Oval suggest they should edge the storm for this one as will their frame of mind as they still play for a finals home game. I expect them to edge the Storm outright however cant make up my mind about the -6.5 handicap.

Storm recent wins has been to poor opposition and motivation for away games has not been at its highest this season, I might even go for the -6.5 handicap.

+4.5 Knights v Dragons-4.5 close call

cant call the outright for this one, the motivation factor behind the knights win against the broncos last week suggests an upset is possible, especially knowing they need to win by a huge number of points to keep their finals dream alive. The knights problem is playing away from home so heart says knights as the dragons havnt scored too many away from home recently so I will happily take the +4.5 handicap

+8.5 Sharks v Titans-8.5 titans win

In any other league the outright win would go to the titans but with NRL even in form teams you never know when the next slip up will come. The titans have had a really good purple patch with some good away wins against decent teams but can they psyche themselves for a match against inferior opposition. The motivation remains a chance to pip the dragons to the regular season title but is that enough? I would still give them the outright win as the Sharks are dreadful but donâ€™t be surprised if an upset happens. If they win they are good enough to clear the -8.5 handicap.

-6.5 Warriors v Broncos+6.5 warriors win

The good thing about the warriors is they have lost most of their games to good opposition however they havenâ€™t made home advantage count as it should, they dont score heavily so if you back them outright you may as well back them to cover the -6.5 handicap. The Broncos donâ€™t fall in the decent opposition stakes but they have a great record in the final round of this competition and a decent defence.

I worry about how the warriors handle pressure but judging by the performances of most home teams last week I will have to go with the warriors. In such circumstances I prefer to back the better team.

-4.5 Roosters v Sea Eagles+4.5 close call

This is a desperation game and it can go either way Its hard to ignore Manlys record against the rooster, they have won 7 of the last 8 games and and come close to having double the games they have played against each other in total.

The only problem is the roosters need the points more so it could go either way.Im surprised the bookies have put the roosters as favorites for this one especially with their record against Manly at this stadium. Sea Eagles are your best bet but if you need an upset you could go with the roosters.I like the +4.5 for the sea eagles so I will back them for this game.

-18.5 Raiders v Cowboys+18.5 Raiders win

This is one of the more obvious games as the raiders have decent motivation and the cowboys have none. Both sides know how to attack the edges but they have defensive problems combating the same plays. It is going to be a combination of good execution of their strengths and better application to their weaknesses, which proves crucial.

Although the -18.5 handicap is among the highest to be set in an unpredictable season the raiders could clear it. Im uncertain about the handicap but the outright victory is guaranteed.

+6.5 Rabbitohs v Eels-6.5 Eels win

This is one of those weekend matches that have the smell of an upset, the eels are in better form and no team has any advantage at the stadium but the Rabbitohs have better motivation and if there is one thing this season has taught us, it s that a bad run ends at some point.

The Eels will use Hayneâ€™s long boot to get within range so they can test the Bunnies out with some spiral bombs but because the Eels game is so dependent on the Hayne train Im going all over the +6.5 handicap for the Rabbitohs.

Eels may edge it but I would rather go for the underdog on handicap.

+6.5 Bulldogs v Panthers-6.5 panthers win

If wasnâ€™t for the big farewell of â€˜The Generalâ€™, this clash with the Panthers would have been among the two easiest to pick from the round.The panthers habve been dreadful however the way they played last week suggests they have been stinged by the criticism in the last few weeks and are highly motivated.If they take the first half and destroy the atmosphere then the panthers will run away with it.If the dogs manage to hold them till the break then the crowd will build momentum and take this match to the wire.

This should be a panthers win and they should be able to cover the -6.5 handicap.

My confident picks are raiders titans and wests tigers

Love to know what you guys think of my picks