Tips and bookie specials for the Round 9 NRL multi of the week

FOR the second week in a row we have been duped by our shortest-priced favourites getting toppled by outsiders.

The Raiders and the Sharks lost to cost us the multi we thought was a safe one last weekend, but we are not letting that deter us heading into the ninth round of NRL action.

This week we have selected four games we think are sure things going into the weekend and we are suggesting our readers load up on this multi.

Selections for the Round 9 NRL multi of the week:

North Queensland Cowboys to beat Parramatta Eels ($1.54)

Gold Coast Titans to beat Newcastle Knights ($1.22)

Cronulla Sharks to defeat West Tigers ($1.50)

Melbourne Storm to win against St George Illawarra Dragons ($1.48)

Combined multi value: +317 @ Crownbet.com.au

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Parramatta Eels

Friday, April 28 from 7.50 pm AEST, 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville

The top-four aspirant Cowboys host the finals outlying Eels in a pivotal match up for both sides in Townsville on Friday.

The Eels sit just outside the eight, but locked on points alongside four other sides. Their for and against ledger is the worst out of the teams in the lower level finals logjam so winning is vital for them heading into the middle stages of the season.

The Cowboys sit locked on points alongside the fourth placed Sharks, but welcome back Dally M Medallist Johnathan Thurston to the fold.

JT’s inclusion in the Cowboy’s line up is enough to tip the scales of punting in their favour, and we are more than happy to kick off our multi with North Queensland.

North Queensland Cowboys to win – $1.54

Gold Coast Titans vs. Newcastle Knights

Saturday, April 29 from 3 pm AEST, CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast

The in-form Titans return to the Gold Coast in search of back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they host the Knights of Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans stormed home to stun the reigning premiers last week at Southern Cross Stadium to record their second win of the year. The win backed a sensational performance against the Broncos a week earlier where they just fell short.

After a few promising performances earlier in the year the Knights have hit a wall. Newcastle has not gotten within single figures of their opponents in the last three games they have contested.

If the form hold up the Titans should win this one comfortably to keep our multi rolling.

Gold Coast Titans to win – $1.22

Wests Tigers vs. Cronulla Sharks

Saturday, April 29 from 7.30 pm AEST, Leichardt Oval, Sydney

The Tigers and the Sharks match up could potentially be the match of the round, depending on which Wests show up.

The Ivan Cleary-era has yielded results so far. The Tigers’ win over the Bulldogs last week showcased the best the team can offer and left many wondering why it took so long to display that kind of application.

The Sharks have been spectacular at times this season, but last week showed that when they are off, they are horrendous.

Cronulla lost to the Titans last week after conceding two tries in the final 13 minutes of the match. A similar show of complacency will see them upset again on Saturday night.

The reigning premiers need to show they are the real deal in season 2017 and we think they will do so on Saturday night.

Cronulla Sharks to win – $1.50

Melbourne Storm vs. New Zealand Warriors

Sunday, April 30 from 4 pm AEST, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

A top of the table clash rounds out our multi this weekend, but to our eye one team is the real deal in 2017 while the other is pretending to be the part.

The Storm have just one loss to their name in 2017, which in our opinion was a complete aberration. Melbourne is fresh off a fantastic six point victory over the Warriors on ANZAC Day.

The Dragons also played on ANZAC Day, but were on the end of a bitter defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters. To compound their loss superstar Gareth Widdop will miss the next six-weeks due to injury.

At full strength the Dragons would trouble the Storm but we cannot see it happening without Widdop. We are backing the Storm to bring us home in style on Sunday.

Melbourne Storm to win – $1.48