NRL Semi-Finals Betting Preview: North Queensland, Canberra Odds Favorites

The second week of the NRL Finals will see no second chances for any of the four sides playing. They are competing for the chance to progress to the preliminary finals against either the Melbourne Storm or the Cronulla Sharks. Canberra and North Queensland will be thankful for this second opportunity to reach that stage as they face off against Penrith and Brisbane, respectively.

An all-Queensland clash kicks off the weekend as the Cowboys host the Broncos in Townsville. In a rematch of the 2015 Grand Final, there is certainly no love lost between these two sides. After overcoming the Titans on home soil, the Broncos will be looking to produce an epic performance to overturn a price of $2.70 with the bookmakers, according to website AustralianGambling.

The Cowboys stand at $1.47 and are many people's pick to meet the Storm in the Grand Final this year. They, however, still have this match and another to win before they can start contemplating that scenario.

The 2015 Grand Final clash between these two is widely regarded as the greatest decider of all time, with the match decided by a Johnathan Thurston field goal. The past four matches between these two have been decided by four points or fewer, including three one-point results in succession.

With that in mind, the $2.75 available on the Cowboys winning by 1-12 may appeal. Only one of the past seven matches between these two has been decided by a margin of greater than 12 points. 

Heading into the first week of the Finals, Canberra were in red-hot form, until they came up against a resolute Cronulla side who managed to edge that match and force the Raiders to play again this week. It was an epic match, and it may have taken a lot out of the Canberra side. They will host the Penrith Panthers, who themselves have found form at the business end of the season.

Having overcome the Bulldogs in impressive fashion, they will go into this match confident that they can turn around a price of $2.01. The Raiders head into this game as favorites priced at $1.86. After such a grueling match against the Sharks, it will take a massive effort for them to get past the Panthers.

These four sides have their whole seasons hanging in the balance and resting upon the performances that they can produce this week. They are fighting for the right to play in a preliminary final and will still harbor hopes of glory in the coming Grand Final. Sudden-death rugby league at its best as the NRL season comes to its conclusion.