Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos

Thursday May 19 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 7.50pm AEST

Whilst this is a Newcastle home game, I’m surprised the Broncos aren’t much shorter in the market. The Broncos are reaching for five straight wins, while the Knights scraped past the Bulldogs last week to avoid eight straight losses. The Broncos were electric last week as they dismantled Manly 38-0 and there’s no reason their blistering form won’t continue. There’s some strong personnel changes for the Knights, with Tyson Frizell and perhaps Dane Gagai in the side, however the Broncos are a side full of confidence and go in unchanged. They can continue the winning streak away from home.

Suggested bet: 1u Broncos -6.5 at $1.90

Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Friday May 20 | Leichhardt Oval | 6.00pm AEST

Two struggling sides with the Tigers ‘season turn-around’ a few weeks ago being only short-lived, now staring at four straight losses. Both of these sides have accumulated just two wins between them after 20 total outings, but one will get the points here and it’s a tricky clash to assess. The Dogs got the win last time they met, smashing the Tigers 38-0. This time the Dogs are in turmoil with their coach getting the sack, and star Addo-Carr set to miss. The odds for the Bulldogs appear juicy on paper, but it’s hard to predict how they’ll respond to Trent Barrett getting the chop.

No suggested bet

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles

Friday May 20 | CommBank Stadium | 7.55pm AEST

Two sides plagued by inconsistency, with the Eels dropping a game last week to the Roosters after their giant-killing performance beating the Panthers the week earlier. As for the Sea Eagles, they were dominated by the high-flying Broncos last week and will have to improve significantly to test the Eels. Interestingly, the Eels alternating sequence of wins and losses is up to six. It should continue to seven here as they have a good record at home against Manly, winning six of the last seven.

Suggested bet: 1u Eels -7.5 at $1.90

St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors

Saturday May 21 | Jubilee Stadium | 3.00pm AEST

Both sides come into this off disappointing performances in Magic Round, with the Dragons losing in a tight one to the Titans and the Warriors deplorable early before fighting back to loss by two points to the Rabbitohs. If the Warriors can continue that late resurgence and bring it against the Dragons, I reckon they can get the points here. They have a strong recent record against the Dragons. They’ve won five of the last seven games between the two teams, however the Dragons have won the last two – including victory in Round 1 earlier this year.

Suggested bet: 1.5u Warriors win at $2.35

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm

Saturday May 21 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 5.30pm AEST

This looks the match of the round with the Cowboys emerging as the competition surprise packet. It’s clear their scintillating form is no fluke as they ride five straight wins – but can they make it six against the Storm? The Storm will be hungry after being outclassed by fellow heavyweight Penrith last week, which was a big slump after six straight wins and three weeks of complete dominance. The Cowboys’ defence has been the pillar of their success in 2022, and it’ll have to continue until if they want to topple the Storm. Whilst the Storm have won the past 12 meetings between these two, the Cowboys almost pulled off an upset in Townsville last year and are a much better side this year.

Suggested bet: 1u Cowboys win at $2.60

Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers

Saturday May 21 | SCG | 7.35pm AEST

Have the Roosters turned the corner after a lacklustre start to the year? They’ve been impressive in posting back-to-back wins over the Titans and Eels in recent weeks. Importantly, James Tedesco – arguably the barometer for the Roosters – looks like he’s starting to find top gear. While toppling the Eels last week was a positive step for the Roosters, it’s a whole new scenario here as they face a Panthers side with a spring in its step  after thrashing the Storm last week. Penrith has won the last four meetings, but they’ve mostly close encounters. The loss of Victor Radley is far from ideal, but I’m tipping the Roosters can still be competitive here.

Suggested bet: 1.5u Roosters +9.5 at $1.90

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders

Sunday May 22 | Apex Oval | 2.00pm AEST

The Raiders are a big chance of an upset here, and I’m surprised there’s $2.60 on offer. The Rabbitohs limped home to beat the Warriors in Magic Round, but it’s continually evident they’re far from their best in season 2022. The Raiders are a curious case study this season and come into this off two recent wins after five straight losses prior. They were excellent crushing the Sharks last week and if they bring that to this clash, they should win again. The Raiders have also won two of the last three encounters with the Rabbitohs. Jack Wighton is also a welcome inclusion for the Canberra side.

Suggested bet: 2u Raiders win at $2.60

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks

Sunday May 22 | Cbus Super Stadium | 4.05pm AEST

This shapes as a big clash for both sides. The Titans can’t afford to drop many more games after their poor start to season ensured an uphill battle to make the finals. Whilst the Sharks, once touted as serious premiership contenders, have been awful in their most recent two losses to the Raiders and Broncos. Wedged in between those two losses was an enormous performance to beat the Warriors when down on personnel. So which Sharks side will show up here against the Titans? At their best, they should breeze past their opposition, but the Titans are also a side which can turn it on and take down top sides. Cronulla has dominated this fixture in recent times, winning the past six – and winning easily the last time they met at this venue. However, it’s still hard to take the short quote about the Sharks given their recent form has been hit-and-miss.

No suggested bet