Top 2022 Rugby Matches to Bet On: NRL Postseason Games Analysis

All eyes are on the NRL in this weekend’s rugby schedule as the league enters the postseason. The eight finals teams square off, the bottom four with their season on the line while other winners shoot for a victory and a bye next week. Let’s focus on how those games are going to play out so you can get ready to make your bets against their Rugby Odds.

Weekly Rundown of the Top Rugby Games to Must Bet On | September 7th Edition

Penrith Panthers (-245) vs Parramatta Eels (+190), Friday 5:50 AM ET

It’s been awhile since a game has meant something for Penrith, who ran away with the minor premiership with just four losses all season. The thing is, two of those losses came against the Eels, who the Panthers meet up with in the first round of the finals.

The Panthers have kind of limped into the postseason, not only losing twice to Parramatta this season but also dropping two of their last four overall, including a 16-0 defeat to Melbourne (the first time they’ve been shut out in four years) and falling 38-8 to North Queensland to close out the regular season.

The Eels were able to get into the top four with a 22-14 win over Melbourne last Thursday in what was essentially a de facto playoff game. That has enabled Parramatta to get the double chance even if they lose on Friday, but this is a team that has been solid vs. Penrith this season and is looking to go up 3-0 on the season against the Grand Final favorites.

Melbourne Storm (-278) vs Canberra Raiders (+210), Saturday 3:40 AM ET

All that matters is getting to this point for Melbourne. The Storm have been ravaged by injuries all season and missed out on their chances for the top four with a 22-14 loss to Parramatta last weekend. The finals offers a reset though, and Melbourne at least gets Jahrome Hughes back after he was out round 25 against the Eels.

This is the third time in the last four seasons that the Raiders will square off with the Storm in the finals, winning 12-10 in 2019 (when Melbourne was ranked #1) and then falling 30-10 in 2020. The best way to describe the Storm this season would be ‘shaky’ with all their injury concerns, so the Raiders have some real upset potential in this matchup.

Cronulla Sharks (-141) vs North Queensland Cowboys (+114), Saturday 5:50 AM ET

Cronulla finished ninth last year and the Cowboys 15th, so the fact that these squads finished 2-3 on the ladder in the regular season is a win in itself. Both sides are enjoying turnaround seasons but with neither having finals experience last year, it’s looking like home field is the X-factor in this match.

Sydney Roosters (-180) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (+140), Sunday 2:05 AM ET

This match is not hard to handicap because these two teams just met up last weekend, with the Roosters picking up a 26-16 victory to secure a home contest in the first round of the finals. Sydney won eight straight down the stretch, so it’s not a leap to predict them to get another victory on Sunday.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?