NRL 2020 premiers: Bookmakers narrow it down to four

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The NRL 2020 Grand Final winners will come from one of four teams if bookmakers have their market correct following the completion of Round 14 of the season.

Focus on the current top four on the ladder because anyone else isn't being given a chance of being crowned premiers. While 2020 has been the strangest of years, the NRL premiership story is not expected to adhere to any unusual script of events.

There are four teams at single figure odds and it is no surprise that it is the current top four. The winners, if the betting agencies have it right, will be coming from Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters or Parramatta Eels and sports betting tipsters Bets.com.au takes a look at the NRL premiership betting and just where the contenders stand:

Melbourne Storm ($3.75)

At 12-2 for the season, the Storm sit second on the ladder behind only Penrith. The Melbourne side have reeled off eight wins in a row since being defeated by the Panthers, some thumping victories by 44 points (Warriors), 36 points (Titans), 38 points (Broncos) and 31 points (Wests). After defeating reigning champions the Roosters in Round 14, the 2017 premiers surged into favouritism for this year's flag.

Penrith Panthers ($4.00)

The Panthers have done very little wrong all season - dropping just three points courtesy of a draw with the Knights and 6-point loss to the Eels. They are a point clear at the top with a 12-1-1 record and set a new club record nine straight wins with victory over the Warriors in Round 14. Quietly going about their business, could the Panthers be set for a first premiership since defeating the Roosters in the 2003 Grand Final?

Sydney Roosters ($4.00)

The Roosters are chasing a third straight NRL premiership having beaten the Storm in the 2018 Grand Final and the Raiders last year. The Tricolour find themselves fourth on the ladder with a 9-5 record following the Round 14 defeat to Storm. Four of their five defeats have come in the big games against fellow top-five sides (Panthers, Storm twice and fifth-placed Canberra Raiders) and they will need to put that behind them if they are to complete the hat-trick of premierships.

Parramatta Eels ($6.00)

The Eels were the early pacesetters but have dropped off a little to sit third at 11-3. They surprisingly lost to the Dragons in Round 14 and as a result find themselves on the fourth line of betting to win a first Grand Final since 1986. Having also lost to Manly Sea Eagles - as well as the Roosters - the Eels have gone down in games you would expect a premiership contender to win and that might prove to be the crucial chink in their armour comes finals time.

Canberra Raiders ($11)

The only other potential premiers is the Raiders, who lost the Grand Final to the Roosters last year. At double figure odds, bookmakers don't think they will be lining up in the decider this time around though. They've lost to the Storm twice, Eels and Panthers this season and don't appear to be quite at the same level as in 2019.