Bet Friday Australia National Rugby League: Miller picks Newcastle vs Canterbury, Brisbane vs Parramatta

Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels look to kick off 2021 in style against bottom of ladder sides

Last season, both the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels made the NRL Finals Series.

But both also had quick stays in the postseason: the Knights were routed by the Bunnies in the EF2, while the Eels lost to eventual champion Melbourne in the QF2, then fell to those same South Sydney Rabbitohs that took out Newcastle.

The two teams kick off 2021 looking to finish inside the top eight, and each gets a chance to do so in style tonight against the two teams that finished at the bottom of the ladder last year.

Newcastle takes on Canterbury in the first contest, while the Eels get Brisbane.

Both favorites should win here; it is just a question of how you want to bet them. I like the bands, because you can hit for some big money, something we did a lot last season.

How about this for a stat? Newcastle has won three openers in a row, while Canterbury has lost four on the trot to start a new campaign. I am going with Newcastle.

Check Fubo.TV for channel listings

AUSTRALIA NRL RUBGY

Newcastle Knights (-186) vs. Canterbury Bulldogs (+150), 2 a.m. EST

Brisbane Broncos (+195) vs. Parramatta Eels (-245), 4:04 a.m. EST

THE PICKS:

Newcastle -4.5 (-110)

Newcastle first to 20 points (-105)

Newcastle to win by 1-6 points (+390)

Newcastle to win by 7-12 points (+450)

Parramatta to win by 13-18 points (+540)

Parramatta to win by 19+ points (+300)

Parramatta -9.5 (+110)

Parlay, Newcastle and Parramatta ML, pays (+117)