Our NRL Round 13 preview begins with the Canterbury and Wests Tigers match at ANZ Stadium along with the Eels and Melbourne Storm clash at Parramatta Stadium which are both being played on Friday night 4th June.

In Saturday games, Penrith tackles the Newcastle Knights at CUA Stadium and the Roosters meet Cronulla at Sydney Football Stadium.

Sunday has three games which are the Warriors and St George game at Mt Smart Stadium, Canberra versus Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, and Manly will do battle with the Brisbane Broncos at Brookvale Oval

Monday night football sees South Sydney tackles the Cowboys at ANZ Stadium

NRL Round 13 preview

Friday, June 4, Parramatta Stadium, 7:30pm

Parramatta Eels 2.17 v 1.70 Melbourne Storm

The Eels were hammered 30-0 by the Dragons last round and it doesn’t get much easier here against the Storm. Reddy and Grothe are likely starters and Parramatta will be looking to improve on their last couple of losses in recent weeks. The Storm won at home over the Bulldogs with a 23-12 score line and get back some quality this week with Smith, Slater, Inglis and White all set to line up against the Eels.

Recent Team History

2009	ANZ Stadium	Eels	16	v	23	Storm
2009	Parramatta Stadium	Eels	18	v	16	Storm
2008	Parramatta Stadium	Eels	24	v	22	Storm
2007	Etihad Stadium	Eels	10	v	26	Storm
2007	Olympic Park	Eels	10	v	14	Storm

In the past two seasons these teams have fought out some close tussles and two of the last three encounters have been decided by just two points and both of those games were at this venue. The Eels will take some heart from their good form against Melbourne at Parramatta Stadium.

We like: Melbourne Storm

Much has changed since last year’s Grand Final between these two sides and the Eels are nowhere near the form that seen them play off for the flag. The Eels may be down in recent weeks but they are not out, and a big game against the Storm could be just what they need to get them back to greater heights. In what should be a hotly contested affair, the big guns returning for Melbourne should be enough to get them over the line.

Friday, June 4, ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm

Canterbury Bulldogs 2.17 v 1.70 Wests Tigers

Canterbury went down by 11 points to an undermanned Storm side and they are on the verge of a fifth straight loss here with the same side on the park. Wests have won their last couple after a bit of a slump and they gave the Warriors a 46 point pounding last round.

Recent Team History

2010	Sydney Football Stadium	Bulldogs	24	v	4	Wests
2009	Sydney Football Stadium	Bulldogs	12	v	34	Wests
2009	ANZ Stadium	Bulldogs	22	v	20	Wests
2008	ANZ Stadium	Bulldogs	4	v	56	Wests
2008	ANZ Stadium	Bulldogs	32	v	12	Wests

These two teams have alternated wins in recent times and if the trend continues then it’s Wests turn for victory. Having said that, the Bulldogs scored a comfortable win over the Tigers earlier in the season and have won four of the last six meetings at ANZ Stadium.

We like: Wests Tigers

The Bulldogs are likely improvers here and will be buoyed by their 20 point win over Wests earlier this year, but winning form is good form and Wests Tigers has lifted in recent weeks and we expect them to get the job done over Canterbury.

Saturday, June 5, Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm

Sydney Roosters 1.36 v 3.20 Cronulla Sharks

The Roosters travelled to the Gold Coast and inflicted a 14 point win over the Titans while the Sharks tried hard but were never really in it against the Broncos and went down by 16 points. Both sides go in with unchanged sides.

Recent Team History

2009	Sydney Football Stadium	Roosters	19	v	12	Sharks
2009	Toyota Stadium	Roosters	19	v	12	Sharks
2008	Toyota Stadium	Roosters	0	v	20	Sharks
2007	Sydney Football Stadium	Roosters	23	v	12	Sharks
2007	Toyota Stadium	Roosters	13	v	12	Sharks

If you are an omen punter then back the Sharks to score 12 points as they have managed to score that amount in four of their last five clashes against the Roosters. Sydney has a dominant record over the Sharks and have won four of the last five meetings, in fact the Sharks have only tasted victory over the Roosters once in their last eight encounters.

We like: Sydney Roosters

The Roosters will gain plenty of confidence from their top win on the Gold Coast and they face a team that have been their bunnies in recent times. Mitchell Pearce will be better for the run against the Titans last week and all factors point to a comfortable Sydney Roosters win.

Saturday, June 5, CUA Stadium, 5.30pm

Penrith Panthers 1.50 v 2.65 Newcastle Knights

The Panthers were not at their best last round when beaten 42-22 by the Rabbitohs and they lose Pritchard this week to injury. The Knights enjoyed a week off and will tackle Penrith with a number of returning stars, including McManus, Mullen and MacDougall.

Recent Team History

2010	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Panthers	34	v	30	Knights
2009	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Panthers	0	v	35	Knights
2008	CUA Stadium	Panthers	18	v	30	Knights
2007	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Panthers	46	v	12	Knights
2006	EnergyAustralia Stadium	Panthers	4	v	40	Knights

The Knights have a very good overall record against the Panthers and have scored 30+ points in four of the past five meetings. Newcastle has also won the last three matches against Penrith at CUA Stadium but the Panthers won the earlier meeting this season by 4 points.

We like: Newcastle Knights

Newcastle will benefit from the return of key players and at CUA Stadium, where they have not lost to the Panthers since 2003, they appear to be great value at their current quote of $2.65, especially if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.

Sunday June 6, Mt Smart Stadium, 12.00pm

NZ Warriors 2.95 v 1.42 St George Dragons

The warriors lost 50-6 on the road to Wests and that loss has been compounded by the loss of Seymour for up to four weeks. The Dragons steamrolled the Eels 30-0 last Friday night and Cooper returns to strengthen St George even further.

Recent Team History

2009	Mt Smart Stadium	Warriors	4	v	29	Dragons
2009	WIN Stadium	Warriors	11	v	12	Dragons
2008	WIN Stadium	Warriors	6	v	34	Dragons
2007	Mt Smart Stadium	Warriors	44	v	16	Dragons
2006	WIN Stadium	Warriors	16	v	22	Dragons

The Dragons have almost a 75% win rate against the Cowboys overall and St George has won the past three encounters including a 29-4 win at this venue last season.

We like: St George Dragons

The Warriors will need divine intervention to beat the Dragons in this match. The St George defence will be much too strong for the New Zealand side and we expect the Dragons to run out comfortable winners.

Sunday, June 6, Canberra Stadium, 2.00pm

Canberra Raiders 1.62 v 2.35 Gold Coast Titans

The Raiders had the week off last round and before the break they defeated and undermanned Dragons by 8 points in a great effort. Canberra welcome back Shillington and Learoyd-Lahrs which can only improve the Raiders. The Titans lost by 14 points at home to the Roosters after leading early by 10 points. Graham goes out for the Gold Coast side and Tomane returns in the centre for the clash against Canberra.

Recent Team History

2010	Skilled Park	Raiders	4	v	24	Titans
2009	Canberra Stadium	Raiders	34	v	28	Titans
2009	Skilled Park	Raiders	10	v	16	Titans
2008	Canberra Stadium	Raiders	46	v	4	Titans
2008	Skilled Park	Raiders	12	v	32	Titans

These two teams take in turns to win when they play each other and on that basis it’s the Raiders turn to salute. In the seven games played between these two teams it has gone by way of the home side on each occasion. The Raiders are the home side for this game.

We like: Canberra Raiders

On their best form the Titans are probably over the odds here, but history tells us that the Raiders have their measure at this venue. Beating the Dragons before the break will give the Canberra side plenty of confidence and with the benefit of a week off and the home ground advantage they can get the 2 points here and make a charge for the eight.

Sunday, June 6, Brookvale Oval, 3:00pm

Manly Sea Eagles 1.52 v 2.60 Brisbane Broncos

The Sea Eagles scored a tough 24-20 win on the road over the Cowboys but Lyon will be out for up to a month with an ankle injury. The Broncos are travelling well at the moment and they were too good away to the Sharks last week with a 16 point win.

Recent Team History

2009	Suncorp Stadium	Manly	22	v	20	Broncos
2008	Suncorp Stadium	Manly	30	v	12	Broncos
2007	Suncorp Stadium	Manly	21	v	8	Broncos
2007	Brookvale Oval	Manly	18	v	6	Broncos
2006	Brookvale Oval	Manly	10	v	16	Broncos

Since 2006 Manly has beaten the Broncos on each occasion including at this venue in 2007. Their only clash last season resulted in a 2 point win to the Sea Ealgles in Brisbane.

We like: Manly Sea Eagles

The loss of Lyon will hurt Manly and with Matai also missing it opens them up for an in-form Brisbane side to take advantage. With the Sea Eagles missing key players this match could be a close encounter and the Darren Lockyer led Broncos could be ideal bet if you pick your own line at Centrebet and get a points head start. Having said that, at home we like Manly to make it five on the trot against the Broncos in a close one.

Monday, June 7, ANZ Stadium, 7.05pm

Sth Sydney Rabbitohs 1.44 v 2.85 Nth Qld Cowboys

The Rabbitohs defeated the Panthers by 20 points last round and were always in control. They tackle the Cowboys on the back of some good form and will be seeking consecutive wins for a change. The Cowboys went down by 4 points to Manly with Thurston falling foul of the referree but able to take his place in the team.

Recent Team History

2009	Dairy Farmers Stadium	Rabbitohs	12	v	46	Cowboys
2008	Dairy Farmers Stadium	Rabbitohs	29	v	28	Cowboys
2008	ANZ Stadium	Rabbitohs	28	v	24	Cowboys
2007	ANZ Stadium	Rabbitohs	20	v	14	Cowboys
2007	Dairy Farmers Stadium	Rabbitohs	10	v	6	Cowboys

The Cowboys won the only meeting at home last season over South Sydney by a big margin but prior to that the Rabbitohs won four in a row.

We like: South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Cowboys look up against it in this match and the Rabbitohs appear too strong for the Queensland side and should win this match in easy fashion.

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