NRL GRAND FINAL

MUCH like they do to their opponents on a weekly basis, the Sydney Roosters have struck fear into the hearts of bookmakers for the past two seasons, and on Sunday night, those fears could be realised.

Since markets opened for the 2019 NRL premiership last October, the tricolours have been backed and, in many cases, they have been backed and backed and backed again.

Taken through multis with the AFL (the Richmond/ Roosters double was a favourite with punters from the outset) as well as racing, cricket and many, many more.

Seen by many as a way to inject value into any other bet, the result is Ladbrokes standing the Roosters for, as quoted by a company source, “an absolute truckload”.

Who will take home the Clive Churchill medal?

The four players in the market at the shortest odds are from the tricolours.

Josh Hodgson, who sits alongside Boyd Cordner on the fourth line of betting at $11, is the shortest Raiders player.

Of those punters who have shopped early, many are backing one of two fairytales — James Tedesco or Cooper Cronk. Tedesco was the manof-the-series for Origin and was also crowned the Dally M Medallist earlier this week.

Should he go on to win the Churchill Medal, he would almost certainly have added a premiership to his list of achievements in 2019.

Cronk is retiring from rugby league after the game and, in his ninth grand final, sits second in the Ladbrokes market at $6.

Should he win, he will almost certainly have added a third consecutive premiership and fourth overall.

NFL

WEEK five of NFL is upon us and Miami fans are rejoicing as, this week, they cannot lose.

The Dolphins, arguably the worst team in history, have the bye this week — which is a rare salvation for the imploding franchise — but for two other teams, the schedule has not been so kind.

If the NFL draft was to be held now, the Washington Redskins would hold the No. 1 pick as, given the strength of their opponents in the opening month, they are actually looking worse than they may be.

They aren’t worse than Miami, but this week they face their toughest challenge — the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champion, New England.

In week two, the Patriots shut-out the Dolphins 42-0, thus covering an 18.5 point betting line with ease.

The bookies have set the line for the Redskins match at 15.5 and, given the class on these rosters, that mark could be well in hand by half-time.

The New York Jets put up a fight against the Patriots in week three before having a bye last weekend, but this already talent-thin roster, which has been stricken by injuries, has not suddenly become healthy in the past 14 days.

The Jets take on a Philadelphia team which, while battling injuries of its own, is rich in talent and high on confidence, having beaten the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football last week.

EPL

THERE have been a stack of upsets during the EPL season to date and punters backing underdogs have made a serious profit.

A number of the bigger clubs look a little bit vulnerable this weekend.

Tottenham is coming off a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday and the Spurs face a tough assignment against a Brighton outfit that has won three of its past seven matches as an away underdog.

The $3.75 available for a Brighton victory does appeal.

The pressure is building on Ole Gunnar Solskjær and he might be out of a job if Manchester United fails to win against Newcastle United.

Manchester United has won only six of its past 13 matches as away favourite and its recent form has been truly dismal.

Newcastle United has not been much better, but the Magpies did beat Tottenham earlier this season and they have won three of their past seven matches as home underdogs, for a big profit.

MLB

AFTER an incredibly long season, the MLB Playoffs are here and the battle for the World Series is on in earnest.

The Houston Astros have been the standout in the competition all season long and are currently clear favourites, with Ladbrokes at $3.

The Los Angeles Dodgers sit on the second line of betting at $3.60, but are easily the best-backed franchise and the worst result for Ladbrokes is the New York Yankees.

The Yankees have been well-supported all season long and they are now into $5 to win their first World Series since 2009. NEW York Giants have recorded two wins from as many games since Daniel Jones replaced Eli Manning at quarterback, but they could come crashing back to earth this weekend. The Giants have covered the line in only one of their past five matches as home underdogs. MINNESOTA TO COVER (-4.5 PTS) LINE AGAINST NY GIANTS @ $1.90 NORWICH has struggled for consistency in the English Premier League this season, but its record in front of its home fans has been strong. It has won two of its past three games at Carrow Road and it beat Aston Villa last season. NORWICH TO BEAT ASTON VILLA @ $2.30