State of Origin I: NSW v Queensland 2020: betting tips, prediction & odds

Welcome to our NSW v Queensland preview, predictions and odds update for the opening State of Origin match at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, November 4.

This is an Origin series like none before in its 40-year yesterday, with the matches played after the NRL season for the first time and to be held on three consecutive Wednesday nights.

We open with the first Origin match to be played at Adelaide Oval, and the conditions could be a little slippery. Add this to the fact all players are coming off an arduous season and you can be sure there will be a few surprises.

What an intriguing contest it should be, with Brad Fittler’s Blues looking to secure a third consecutive Origin series win, while the Maroons have gone back to the future, with their coaching panel at least.

Legendary coach Wayne Bennett is back to steer Queensland in place of Kevin Walters, who has been named Broncos coach but will still be an assistant for his state, while Mal Meninga is back in the fold as he does not have international coaching duties this season.

It will take all the experience of Bennett, Walters and Meninga to lift a young Maroons side which features eight Origin debutants: AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates, Brenko Lee, Phillip Sami, Jake Friend, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins and Jaydn Su’A.

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NSW have three players involved at Origin level for the first time in Clint Gutherson, Luke Keary, who was born in Queensland, and Junior Paulo.

The clash between the opposing sets of halves is always crucial but could be even more so this time, with the Blues sending out Keary and Panthers ace Nathan Cleary to oppose outstanding Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster and experiences Manly star Daly Cherry-Evans .

You can be sure the Maroons won’t lack for enthusiasm and if Cherry-Evans in particular can get his kicking game right, it should be a close contest.

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2020 State of Origin teams

The Maroons have a couple of late injury worries surrounding young winger Xavier Coates (shoulder) and rookie Origin centre Brenko Lee (calf), both hurt at training. But both are expected to play.

NSW: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Clint Gutherson, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Tyson Frizell, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Cody Walker, 15. Payne Haas, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Angus Crichton.

Queesland: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Brenko Lee, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Christian Welch, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Jai Arrow, 17. Jaydn Su’A.

Read on for our Maroons v Blues tips and winner prediction for their State of Origin clash on Wednesday, November 4.

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State of Origin 2020 schedule

Game 1: Wednesday, November 4, 8.10pm (AEDT), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Game 2: Wednesday, November 11, 8.10pm (AEDT), ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Game 3: Wednesday, November 18, 8.10pm (AEDT), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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Qld v NSW odds

Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Head to head odds: Queensland $3.25, NSW $1.35
Line betting: Queensland (+7.5 points) $2, NSW (-7.5 points) $1.80
Match total: 41.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90

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Queensland v NSW free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free Maroons-Blues betting tips for Wednesday night’s game.

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Queensland v NSW Blues prediction 4-11-2020

Queensland, with old master Wayne Bennett back in the camp, love nothing more than coming into these matches as heavy underdogs. For years they dominated with the likes of Darren Lockyer, NSW-born Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater tormenting the Blues. The boot could be on the other foot now, but we have learned over many years that the Maroons have a greater fire in their belly when it comes to these matches. NSW have won the past two series and on paper they look tohave the far superior side. But that will count for nothing; out main tiup here is just to sit back and enjoy what is always a wonderful contest. Our State of Origin I prediction: NSW by four points.

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Qld v NSW lowdown

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