A Look at NRL's Round 20
With only seven matches to go in this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season, every week the stakes get a little higher. Round 20 sees much of the top of the table facing off against the bottom, meaning an upset could bring about a large shift in positions.
Dragons vs. Titans
The first place Dragons take on the eighth place Titans at home in Wollongong, Australia. The Dragons are looking to build off of a very close away victory over the Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 19. The Titans will look to bounce back from an in-state match-up last week versus the Broncos.
Bulldogs vs. Eels
The Bulldogs will be the home side against the Parramatta Eels in Round 20 on the weekend. The Bulldogs will try and recover from a tough loss to the Roosters last week, while trying to climb up from 13th position on the ladder. The Eels, now sitting 10th, will attempt to build on last week’s impressive upset of the Panthers in order to get into a playoff position.
Raiders vs. Sharks
The Raiders will be interested in improving on their 11th place spot as they take on the 14th seeded Sharks in Round 20. The Raiders are coming off of a massive victory over the Knights, in which they scored nine tries. Conversely, the Sharks struggled last week, falling to the Sea Eagles by a score of 48-18. They will need a win in Canberra to make up for such a thumping.
Storm vs. Panthers
The Panthers are coming off of a huge upset at the hands of the Eels and will look to right the ship against the lowly Melbourne Storm. The Penrith side will try to hold onto second position, while the Storm still search for their first points, which will be hard pressed to get against such stiff opposition. The Melbourne squad played in another close game last week, but still could not secure a point against the New Zealand Warriors.
Cowboys vs. Knights
Both the Cowboys and Knights suffered losses last week, and will work hard to try and keep it from happening again. The battle of the bottom dwellers should give one of the two a chance to make a push up the standings just in time for the final weeks. The Cowboys will be at home for the match in Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Rabbitohs vs. Warriors
The Rabbitohs will try and get it back on track against the league’s hottest team in Round 20. The Warriors are a team to be reckoned with after yet another victory last week over the Storm. The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, have not been so lucky, losing close twice, most recently in Round 19 at the hands of the Dragons. The Warriors are currently sitting fifth while the Rabbitohs are ninth on the ladder.
Sea Eagles vs. Wests Tigers
In the game of the week, the Sea Eagles take on the Wests Tigers at home in Manly. Both clubs are coming off of Round 19 victories. The Sea Eagles head into the match placed 6th, while the Tigers sit at 3rd and look to continue their very impressive season. Only four points separate the two squads, and a Sea Eagles victory could see them move as high up as third.
Broncos vs. Roosters
In the Monday night affair, the Broncos will take on the Roosters in Suncorp Stadium at home in Brisbane. The Broncos continue to climb the ladder after a hard fought away win last round against the Titans. Sitting seventh in the table, a win can bump them into third or fourth. The Roosters are in search of their third straight win, as the Sydney based club defeated the Bulldogs last week. Currently in fourth, a win could put the Roosters as high as second place.
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