NRL Finals Week 3: odds, schedule and times

The third week of the NRL finals kicks off on Friday night, October 16, with the first preliminary final between Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium. The second preliminary final is on Saturday night between Penrith and South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

The winners of the two preliminary finals will of course clash in the 2020 grand final on Sunday, October 25.

Our NRL betting expert has examined the odds in our usual column highlighting what league action is on for the week ahead.

Melbourne Storm are fresh off a week’s rest but have star playmaker Cameron Munster (knee) and forward Dale Finucane (calf) racing to be fit in time. Assistant coach Jason Ryles said Munster would be fit, while Finucane is also expected to make it to play a team that has beaten the Storm in three of their past four meetings.

Canberra are coming off an upset win 22-18 against two-time defending premiers Sydney Roosters last Friday night.

The Raiders finally got through a game without any new major injuries but bookies think are up against it to cause another upset against the fresh Storm, rating them $2.65 outsiders. The Raiders will have to monitor centre Jordan Rapana (sternum), though he played through that injury against the Roosters.

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NRL betting previews, tips

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Souths are a similar quote with bookies to cause an upset against Penrith, who are on a 16-match winning streak.

The Panthers are coming off the week’s rest as well, but will be missing suspended star Viliame Kikau (dangerous throw). The blockbusting second-rower will be available should the Panther make the grand final.

Souths have been on a scoring spree the past three weeks, scoring an average of almost 50 points a game! The only injury concern from their 38-24 win against Parramatta on Saturday night is second-rower Jaydn Su’A (knee).

When the teams met earlier in the season in round seven the Panthers prevailed 20-12. Of course, Penrith have lost just one match all season and stand two wins away from a famous season.

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NRL Premiership odds before finals, week 3

And then there were four … the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels, who both finished inside the top four at the end of the regular season, have departed to competition for 2020.

That leaves fellow top-four teams Penrith and Melbourne Storm at the top of title betting.

The Panthers were $2.75 into $2.65, while enjoying the weekend off and the Storm moved from $3 to $2.75 following the upset Raiders win.

The Rabbitohs and Raiders both moved in from $11 to $6.50, with leading bookies Unibet.

NRL title odds 2020

$2.65 Penrith Panthers
$2.75 Melbourne Storm
$6.50 Canberra Raiders, South Sydney Rabbitohs

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NRL finals week 3 fixture, odds and times

Friday, October 16

• 7:50PM: Preliminary final: Melbourne Storm $1.49 v Canberra Raiders $2.65 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Saturday, October 17

• 7.50PM: Preliminary final: Penrith Panthers $1.48 v South Sydney Rabbitohs $2.70 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

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