NRL Round 3 betting preview and multi bet tips

A FORTNIGHT of upsets has put punters on edge, but we are starting to get a good idea of who the real players in 2017 are.

The Roosters ($7 at Sportsbet.com.au) have found their way onto the second line of betting after a strong beginning to the season, while the Storm ($6.50 premiership favourites at Sportsbet.com.au) have shrugged off all their injury concerns by winning their opening two games comfortably.

However, if the Raiders and the Bulldogs are to planning to replicate their finals appearances from last season they will first have to get their names on the winners’ list.

Parramatta Eels to beat Gold Coast Titans ($1.53)

Canberra Raiders to win against the Wests Tigers ($1.40)

Multi value: $5.22

Gold Coast Titans vs. Parramatta Eels

Friday, March 18 from 8.05 pm AEDST CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans host the Eels in what has been dubbed the “Jarryd Hayne Cup”.

Unfortunately for the Gold Coast, the man of the moment is not in the line-up. It is another blow for a team that has struggled big-time in the opening fortnight of the season.

The Eels have been one of the best performing teams of the NRL season thus far. The blue and gold have shrugged off a terrible 2016 and turbulent off-season to sit at the top of the table after two rounds.

Parra is looking terrific while the Coasters are looking in disarray. It looks like a clear-cut Eels win to us.

Parramatta Eels to win – $1.53

Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters

Saturday, March 18 from 7.05 pm AEDST, Pepper Stadium, Penrith

Two of the pre-season fancies for the flag meet in the second leg of the NRL multi.

After an awful start to the season Penrith bounced back in a big way, hammering the Tigers by 34 points.

The Panthers ($8.50) firmed back into third favourite for the flag at Sportsbet.com.au on the back of the performance.

The Roosters are undefeated in 2017 and are the second favourites for the flag at Crownbet.com.au at the $7 quote. Sydney beat the Titans and the Bulldogs back-to-back to firm even further in the premiership market.

It looks on paper to be the match of the round which either team could win, but we are backing the Panthers. They are much classier across the board and should have too much firepower for the Tricolours.

Penrith Panthers to win – $1.35

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly Sea Eagles

Saturday, March 18 from 9 pm AEDST, 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville

The Cowboys host the Sea Eagles in the third leg of our multi, and while it looks like a formality on paper, it is not a foregone conclusion for the home side.

Vitally important pair Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo will both miss due to suspension, but former Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston is in the line-up, which means more often than not they will start favourites.

The Sea Eagles have been ordinary in the opening two rounds. The visitors have carried the ball for almost 1000 metres less than the Cowboys which is a worrying statistic.

We are backing the Cowboys here. They are a disciplined unit who know how to win.

North Queensland Cowboys to win – $1.27

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers

Sunday, March 19 from 4 pm AEDST, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Two teams that got smashed last week round out our NRL multi this weekend as the Raiders and the Tigers meet in the nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon.

Few would have predicted that the Raiders would have started the season winless but that is the situation that confronts Ricky Stuart’s men. Sunday afternoon presents the easiest game of the season thus far after tackling the Broncos and the Sharks back-to-back.

The Tigers have split their results so far in 2017. Their opening round win was sensational against the Rabbitohs but their performance against the Panthers was one of their worst showings in years.

This looks like the perfect game to kick-start the Raiders’ campaign. We are backing them to get their season on track and bring our multi home in style.

Canberra Raiders to win – $1.40

NRL Round Three Promotions

After the fortnight of upsets we have seen in the NRL so far it is important that punters take advantage of the multi insurance deals and promotions that the bookmakers are offering.

Sportsbet continues its multi insurance deal into round three.

Place a five or more legged multi this weekend and if your multi goes down by one leg you will get your cash back, up to $50 in the form of bonus bets.

On rounds 3-4 if your team wins by six points or more you will get a 50 per cent boost on any head-to-head bet.

Over at William Hill, if you place a head-to-head bet on any of the Friday night fixtures and if your team leads at any stage but go on to lose you will get your cash back up to $50 in the form of bonus bets.

Read our guide to Australia’s best NRL bookmaker bonuses.