Home underdogs of more than 6 points are 35-19 ATS since 2011, 24-11 ATS since 2012 and 10-4 ATS this season. And we have 3 of them in Week 20 of the NRL!

Week 19 presents more attractive options from a total points perspective than is offered via the match spreads.

With a lot of teams scheduled for the bye this week, only two bets stand out to my eye as representing value this week, with both occurring in the one match.

While the game totals this week offer little by way of value, a number of strong ATS plays are worth consideration.

Week 16 of the National Rugby League offers strong bets against the spread and also with respect to game totals.

Week 14 of the National Rugby League offers strong bets against the spread and also with respect to game totals.

With a number of key players backing up quickly after State of Origin (our three-game All Star-like series, played at intensity which exceeds even the playoffs), two high-performing favourites are vulnerable this weekend.

Can you bet on a weekend of rugby league which is affected by players being unavailable due to our All Star-like match? Yes. Yes, you can.

For many readers, the sport of rugby league is an unknown, and perhaps even unfathomable, beast.