North Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Friday June 10 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 7.55pm AEST

The Cowboys are back in winning form after beating the Titans last week, following the loss to the Panthers a week earlier which ended a six-game winning streak. They did it comfortably against the Titans, and the Dragons are a similar level of opposition here. The Cowboys also have home ground advantage, but it’s no surprise Todd Payten has decided to rest Maroons reps Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai. Origin star Val Holmes remains in the squad for now, while Tom Dearden returns at five-eighth after missing Round 13. Even if Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims back up from Origin and take their spot for the Dragons, it’s hard to see them troubling the Cowboys. The last five meetings between the teams have been decided by a 1-12 margin, but the Cowboys are a proper outfit this year.

Suggested bet: 1u Cowboys -12.5 at $1.90

Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Saturday June 11 | Cbus Super Stadium | 3.00pm AEST

The Titans are enduring an awful season with just three wins and sit above only Canterbury on the ladder. Similarly, it’s been far from an ideal start for the Rabbitohs, and with just six wins they sit right on the cusp of making the final eight. It means this is simply a must-win for the Rabbitohs. They have won the last six games between the teams, scoring more than 28 points in the last four meetings.  Cameron Murray, Jai Arrow and Damien Cook are all probable to backup for the Rabbitohs. They should have too much class for the Titans.

Suggested bet: 1u Rabbitohs -7.5 at $1.90

Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm

Saturday June 11 | SCG | 5.30pm AEST

It’s incredibly difficult to assess the Roosters and where their season is heading. After building some momentum in the past month, they produced a woeful performance last week when going down to the Raiders. The Storm come off an effortless win over Manly before freshening up with last week’s bye. Melbourne will be without Xavier Coates who suffered an ankle injury in Origin, while the other Origin reps from both sides appear likely to suit up. Melbourne has won the last four meetings, with the last three coming by 13+ margins. The Roosters might put up more opposition than recent encounters but inevitably I predict the Storm will prevail.

Suggested bet: 2u Storm win at $1.45

Brisbane Broncos vs Canberra Raiders

Saturday June 11 | Suncorp Stadium | 7.35pm AEST

The Broncos have six straight wins in their sights as they look to cement their spot in the eight and continue their march towards even securing a top four spot. But they now face a rejuvenated Raiders side which has won four of their last five and toppled the Roosters last week. Canberra have won the last three meetings, but the Broncos have won the last three at home here at Suncorp. Kotoni Staggs is in big doubt for the Broncos after copping a shoulder injury in Origin. This is a danger game for the Broncos but I don’t want to oppose them on their current form.

No suggested bet

Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles

Sunday June 12 | Campbelltown Stadium | 2.00pm AEST

Interesting clash. The Tigers have been in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons this week after their coach was given his marching orders. How will the Tigers respond? Past clashes don’t bode well for the Tigers, with Manly having won the last three meetings, scoring 36+ points in all of them. Manly come off a confidence-building 44-12 victory over the Warriors last week which should assist in kick-starting their up-and-down season. They really should be too good for the Tigers, and have already scored a comprehensive win over their rivals earlier in the season.

Suggested bet: 2u Manly win at $1.45

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers

Sunday June 12 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 4.05pm AEST

The Panthers have 12 wins from 13 matches so far in 2022 and sit at the top of the ladder after putting away the Dogs last week, despite having six of their Origin stars out. As for the Knights, they’ve won two of their last three, but they’ve only been against low sides in the Bulldogs and Warriors. Before that, their form was awful and it’s hard to see how they can trouble the Panthers, even with Origin reps Gagai and Ponga expected to play. For the Panthers, Nathan Cleary will be hungry to hit back after performing well below par in the Blues’ Origin loss. The Panthers’ last three wins over the Knights have been by 18 points or more and that should continue.

Suggested bet: 1u Panthers -15.5 at $1.90

New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks

Sunday June 12 | Moreton Daily Stadium | 6.15pm AEST

It’s familiar territory for the Warriors this season – showing glimpses of positive signs but largely being marred by pathetic showings such as last week’s horrible 44-12 loss to Manly. They now face a Sharks’ side which has been in-and-out of form, but is bolstered by the return of powerhouse centre Jesse Ramien. This is a chance for the Sharks to solidify some winning form, and their past encounters against the Warriors suggest they should do just that.

Suggested bet: 1u Sharks -14.5 at $1.90

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels

Monday June 13 | Accor Stadium | 4.00pm AEST

Unsurprisingly the Eels have enjoyed all the success recently in this fixture with six wins from the last seven meetings. It’s hard to see that trend being reversed, with the Eels playing relatively consistent footy and eight wins from 12 matches. In contrast, the Bulldogs sit at the bottom of the ladder. Additionally, the trio of Eels’ Origin reps Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard have all been named and have four days to recover. It’s hard to see the Dogs having much say in this contest.

Suggested bet: 1.5u Eels -15.5 at $1.90