Rugby League / Nick Tedeschi / 27 August 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external">Bet Now

Parramatta have won three on the trot and have turned around a failed season into one with hope. Are they really playing well enough to play finals football? We will find out this week, says Nick Tedeschi

Despite a season that can only be described as a disappointment, Parramatta have put themselves back in the finals picture by winning their last three contests. Those victories have, however, been far from impressive. The Eels upset an out-of-sorts Roosters, trampled all over an inept Tigers team and struggled to beat the worst team in the competition, Canterbury. Their real test comes this week against a Dragons team playing well.

Are the Eels back? I doubt it. They are certainly not anywhere near the team most pundits expected them to be way back in the preseason.

All season Parramatta have stumbled. Their high-octane attack that includes stars such as Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Brett Finch has not fired with the Eels ranking a disappointing eighth in tries scored and eighth in tackle breaks. Their defence has been just as mediocre with Parramatta ranking ninth in tries allowed and more worryingly, fourteenth in metres conceded. Parramatta, simply, are not a good football team. Internal divisions have not helped their cause.

Against a talented Dragons outfit that have been playing quality rugby league over the last fortnight, Parramatta are going to struggle. They have not measured up when the going has got tough all season and there is no reason to believe anything will change this week.

The key to the Dragons success in recent times has been a keenness to play a more expansive game. The Dragons best players run out wide and with the likes of Gasnier, Cooper and the Morris brothers getting more quality ball, the Dragons have looked dangerous. The four of them combined have scored nine tries in the last two matches and it is difficult to see the Eels three-quarter line, not renowned for their defensive capabilities, stopping them.

The return of Ben Creagh will also be a major boon for the Dragons. Creagh is a rare combination of workhorse (106 metres and 27.5 tackles per game) and danger-man (24 tackle-breaks, 3 tries and 7 offloads in 12 games) and could wreak all kinds of havoc against a brittle Eels team that have struggled to stop his like all season.

Bet the Saints to finish Parramatta's season. Take them in the match-odds market and giving away 5 ½ points in handicap betting. Those looking for added value can also look to wager on the Dragons clearing out and winning by 13 plus.

The Wests Tigers can be bet with some confidence this week against a Cronulla team rocked by the indefinite suspension of star backrower Greg Bird in the other Friday night match. The Tigers have won nine straight against the Sharks dating back to 2003 and despite some indifferent recent form, match-up well with the Sharks as the Cronulla team, fifteenth in the NRL in terms of attack, are unlikely to take advantage of the Tigers defensive deficiencies. Bet the Tigers in the match odds market as well as to win by less than 12 in the margin market.

The Roosters have been dreadfully out of form in recent weeks, scoring only 30 points and allowing 78 over the last three rounds. They have been appalling and Souths have the players to run the big Roosters forwards around. Chris Sandow and Craig Wing are the key to this match. If they are on song, an upset is possible. Take the points in the handicap market as well as laying the Roosters in the match odds market.

The Knights with the big start look the bet against Melbourne. Newcastle traditionally remain competitive against Melbourne, particularly at home, and have plenty to play for this weekend. Newcastle are clinging to the hope of playing September football while they will be keen to win for recently felled skipper Danny Buderus. Melbourne will most likely win the game but expect the game to remain close. Take the Knights at the plus in the handicap market while having a small wager on a Knights/Storm half-time/full-time double.

It is impossible to go past the Raiders in their clash with last-placed North Queensland. Canberra are well and truly over the odds. They have been the form team of the competition over the last seven weeks despite being ravaged by injury. They are the number two attacking team in the NRL with Terry Campese leading the way with thirteen try assists and six tries in his last six matches. The Cowboys defense has been paper thin this season and Campese should slice them to shreds. Bet the Raiders in all markets and to win by a margin of 13 plus.

The battle between the two most schizophrenic teams in the NRL is tough to get a grip on with both the Warriors and the Panthers renowned for their inconsistency. Both need a win to keep their finals hopes alive but both teams needed a win last weekend and performed abysmally. The Warriors, at home, are probably the safest bet. Penrith have won eight of their last eleven against the Warriors but the Warriors have claimed the last two contests played in Auckland and have been good at home in recent times, winning four on the trot including wins against three top-five teams. Bet the Warriors in the match odds market.

Brisbane are set to start huge favourites against the hapless Bulldogs in what, on paper, looks a distinctly one-sided game. Both teams have not been good for punters this season with the Broncos 8-14 against the assigned line and Canterbury marginally worse at 7-15. The Bulldogs had a real dig last week against Parramatta and with the Dogs having upset the Broncos only seven weeks back and the poor record of teams traveling interstate, they look the best bet with the 20 ½ points.

The Eagles should have little problem in disposing of the Gold Coast Titans on Monday night with the real interest in the match centering on the big handicap afforded to the Titans. The Titans have played well since Scott Prince's return but coming off a let-down loss to Brisbane in extra-time last Friday, they could struggle to get themselves up for the Manly match. Des Hasler has the Eagles back to their steely best and at Fortress Brookvale, Manly look like a bet at the minus. Those looking for something safer should invest in the Manlyhalf-time/full-time double.