NRL Round 18 Footy Form: The stats that matter, what’s been backed and where money is going
HOMEBUSH heroes the Bulldogs are heavily favoured to overcome poor travellers the Wests Tigers tonight at ANZ Stadium.
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Check out all the best stats, what’s been backed and where the money is going in order to find a winner.
Bulldogs v Tigers, Saturday 7.50pm, ANZ Stadium
BLOW OUT OR TIGHT CONTEST?
Five of the past seven meetings have been won by margins of 20 points or more (Bulldogs three wins, Tigers two), with the other two won by one point in extra time; with the Bulldogs getting up on both occasions.
HOMEBUSH HEROES
As the home team the Bulldogs have won just three of their seven matches (42.9 per cent), although all three of those wins have come at Homebush.
TRAVEL SICKNESS
The Tigers have won just two of their seven matches away from home in 2016, and will be looking to avoid three straight away losses for the second time this season.
TROUBLED TAYLOR
Jason Taylor has a poor record coaching against Canterbury, winning just two of eight matches (25 per cent). This is his equal second-lowest win percentage (Canberra being the other).
Betting summary: The Bulldogs are heavily supported in this one, forcing TAB bookies to trim their price.
Panthers v Cronulla, Sunday 4pm, Pepper Stadium
NAIL-BITER
Cronulla have won six of eight matches against the Panthers since 2011; this is their best record against any opponent in that time. Four of the past seven games between these two sides have been decided by two points or less, and another by four points.
HOME COMFORTS
Penrith have won three of the past five matches at Pepper Stadium, while Cronulla’s only two losses in 2016 have been away from Shark Park.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Thirteen of Penrith’s 15 matches this season have been decided by eight points or less, while 10 of the Sharks’ 15 matches this season have also been decided by the same margin.
TRY TIME
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 14 tries in 18 matches at Pepper Stadium. He has scored two tries in three matches against Cronulla.
To Score a Try — $1.70
1st Try Scorer — $9
Betting summary: Customers are rallying with the Panthers to halt Cronulla’s winning streak.
Canberra v North Queensland, Monday 7pm, GIO Stadium
BOGEY TEAM
Canberra won 15 of their first 18 matches against the Cowboys, but have gone on to win just five of the next 18, including just two of 10 since 2011; their worst record against any opponent over that period.
HOME COMFORTS
The Raiders have won six of eight matches at home this season, including each of their past four.
CLOSE AFFAIR
All five of the Cowboys’ losses this season have been by four points or less, and three have seen their opponents kick a field goal.
MILESTONE
Jarrod Croker needs two points for 1300 career points. He will join a prestigious club with names like Andrew Johns, Daryl Halligan and Clinton Schifcofske as well as current stars Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Corey Parker.
Betting summary: North Queensland are seeing the support from punters to cause an upset over Canberra.
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