The market has Storm and the Cowboys as favourites for their respective NRL preliminary finals, but that is not evidenced in betting.
- Canberra has had more bets placed on them than favourites Melbourne.
- The Sharks, to win by a margin between 1-12 points ($3.40) over the Cowboys, is the most popular wager in margin betting.
Sportsbet punters are finding it difficult to single out one team in each of this weekend’s NRL Preliminary Finals.
Melbourne is the $1.43 favourite ahead of the Raiders ($2.95), but the online bookmaker reports that the Storm hold just $42 more in wagers.
In the other final North Queensland head betting on $1.75, but again the $2.12 outsiders, the Sharks, hold more money.
Storm remain the $2.50 favourite to win the Grand Final, ahead of the Cowboys ($3.60), Sharks ($4.50) and Canberra ($6.00).
“Maybe it is the loyal fans sticking with their teams, but it is just about 50/50 in punter support for both matches,’’ said sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne.
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Sharks v Cowboys
$2.12 Sharks
$1.75 Cowboys
Sharks v Cowboys Winning Margin
$3.40 Cronulla Sharks 1 To 12
$5.50 Cronulla Sharks 13+
$17 Draw
$3.00 Nth Queensland Cowboys 1 To 12
$3.85 Nth Queensland Cowboys 13+
Storm v Raiders
$1.43 Storm
$2.95 Raiders
Storm v Raiders Winning Margin
$2.90 Melbourne Storm 1 To 12
$2.65 Melbourne Storm 13+
$19 Draw
$4.25 Canberra Raiders 1 To 12
$9.00 Canberra Raiders 13+
Grand Final Winner
$2.50 Melbourne Storm
$3.60 Nth Queensland Cowboys
$4.50 Cronulla Sharks
$6.00 Canberra Raiders