NPC Round 4 Betting Tips - Will Hawke's Bay or Canterbury extend perfect start to the NPC season?

The NPC season moves into the fourth round and we have picked out the two biggest games of the round to provide you with expert tips for.

Hawke's Bay have enjoyed a superb start to the new season, securing three consecutive wins. Their 54-14 win over Counties Manukau in round one has been followed by two tighter wins over Otago and North Harbour, but promising for the side is the fact they have always looked in control of the result. Canterbury arrive in hot form themselves, but with three wins in their last four against their opponents, I am backing a tight win for the home side. 

Canterbury also arrive with three consecutive wins to their name after an excellent start to the new season. Two wins on the road so far shows they are not a side that can only win at home, but I do worry for them against an opponent they have lost three of their last four matches against. While I back them to push Hawke's Bay harder than any other side has managed this season, I do not predict that they will win this game. 

Taranaki top the standings heading into the fourth round after a stunning run that has seen them pick up three wins, notch two bonus points and return a +84 points difference. Like many of their other closest competitors in the standings, Taranaki are yet to be truly tested after easily beating each of their opponents. Waikato arrive with two wins to their name, but they will likely struggle against one of the form teams in the tournament so far. 

Waikato have made a good start to the new season after picking up a brace of wins from their opening three. A sole defeat to Wellington in the second round is the only blot on their copybook, and they will be keen to make it two consecutive wins in the competition. However, travelling to face Taranaki will not be easy, and I predict a tight defeat, with score lines between the pair generally being close.