Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos
Thursday July 21 | CommBank Stadium | 7.50pmAEST
Two sides deeply entrenched in the race for a top four spot, with the Eels and Broncos both coming into this clash in winning form after three wins on the bounce. This is a big opportunity to keep up momentum, with the Broncos (fourth) and Eels (sixth) owning 11 wins so far in 2022. Brisbane snuck past the Titans last week, while the Eels also had to work to hold out the Warriors. Parramatta have won the last six meetings between the teams (including the past five by an average of 29 points) and go into this as favourites, with Ryan Matterson back in the side. Oates, Capewell and Carrigan return for the Broncos as they look to reverse the Eels’ recent dominance in this fixture. These inclusions should ensure the Broncos are right in this contest, and at the price, are the bet.
Suggested bet: 1u Broncos win at $2.35
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles
Friday July 22 | Jubilee Stadium | 6.00pm AEST
Another important clash with the Dragons and Sea Eagles fighting for finals survival. The Dragons’ top eight hopes took a hit with last week’s loss to the Roosters when smashed in the second half. As for the Sea Eagles, they’re on a heater after winning four of their past five, but they’ll have to keep this revival alive without Jake Trbojevic, who is an important exclusion due to COVID protocols. The last four meetings between these two have resulted in big winning margins (two wins apiece). The loss of Trbojevic is a concern for the Sea Eagles, but it’s still hard to side with the Dragons. Happy to stay out of this one.
No suggested bet
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters
Friday July 22 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 7.55pmAEST
The Roosters kept their finals hopes alive with a big finish to take down the Dragons last week. They will be looking to continue their press towards securing a top eight berth by adding further pain to the Knights’ woeful season. The Knights have lost four of their past five and conceded 156 points in the process. But they did cause an upset in this encounter earlier in the season on the Roosters home deck. However, playing at home hasn’t been a positive for the Knights, losing six of their last seven here. There’s a couple of key team changes for the Roosters, but the losses appear to be balanced by some quality inclusions, which include Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. The Roosters will be looking to avenge their loss to Newcastle from Round 1 and should be too good.
Suggested bet: 1u Roosters -9.5 at $1.90
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors
Saturday July 23 | GIO Stadium | 3.00pm AEST
The Warriors scraped home in an upset win when they faced the Raiders earlier this season and have a more than competitive record in this fixture. This time they’ll face a Raiders coming off a top-notch performance to upset Melbourne last week, keeping their top eight hopes alive. If they are serious finals contenders, this home game is one where they simply must secure the points. The Raiders also get some handy players back with skipper Elliott Whitehead and Nick Cotric returning. This one has the feel of a big Raiders’ victory as they continue their march to finals.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Raiders -12.5 at $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday July 23 | BlueBet Stadium | 5.30pm AEST
The Panthers proved they can win without their Origin stars as they snuck past the Tigers last week. They are back on home soil where they’ve dropped just one game from their past 25 and now have a full-strength outfit ready to take on a Sharks side full of confidence after winning their last five. This is a stern test for the Sharks and a bold showing would enhance their premiership credentials. While Penrith have won four of the last five meetings, a Sharks upset wouldn’t be a total shock given they emerged 19-18 victors in their last encounter. The Sharks at the plus looks the way to play here.
Suggested bet: 1u Sharks +12.5 at $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm
Saturday July 23 | Accor Stadium | 7.35pm AEST
The depleted Storm have lost three in a row and face a Latrell Mitchell-led Rabbitohs side back in top form. Mitchell’s return has sparked four wins from the Rabbitohs last five. But can they topple the Storm? The warning signs for the Storm will grow even louder if they drop four on the trot – and they’ll have to do it without gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is out for the rest of the year. The Rabbitohs also get skipper Cameron Murray and Damien Cook back from their Origin rest. The Storm have won the last seven meetings between the pair, including a golden-point thriller back in Round 2 when they fended off a second half surge from the Rabbitohs. Tricky game to assess but recent form (and the personnel changes) makes it hard to back against the Rabbitohs.
Suggested bet: 1u Rabbitohs win at $2.10
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans
Sunday July 24 | CommBank Stadium | 2.00pmAEST
The Bulldogs are a much-improved side under new coach Mick Potter and they should get the points at home against a struggling Titans’ outfit. It’s hard to imagine advocating taking $1.60 for the Bulldogs but they seem to be on an upward spiral with a rejuvenated game plan focussed on letting loose in attack. The Titans have won just once from their past 13 outings, but there’s been a few credible losses against sides such as the Sharks and Rabbitohs. Last week they weren’t disgraced by the Broncos, however their opponents did get the points with a severely-depleted side. The Titans have also won the last three meetings between the teams, but, it’s hard to ignore the Bulldogs new-found style of play and they’ll be keen to put it on display for their home crowd.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Bulldogs win at $1.60
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers
Sunday July 24 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 4.05pm AEST
The Cowboys are presented with the perfect opportunity to bounce back from their last-round loss to the Sharks as they host the cellar-dwelling Tigers. The Cowboys have been the revelation of this year’s competition, sitting second on the ladder with seven rounds to play and eyeing the club’s second premiership. While the Tigers showed positive signs in narrowly going down to the undermanned Panthers last week, the Cowboys welcome back Maroons trio Val Holmes, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai, while Murray Taulagi is also a handy inclusion.
Suggested bet: 1u Cowboy -19.5 at $1.90