South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers
Thursday August 18 | Accor Stadium | 7.50pm AEST
The in-form Rabbitohs look a strong chance of an away win as they face off with a Penrith side without stars Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. The Panthers come into this off being held scoreless in a 16-0 loss to the Storm where they looked completely out of sorts in attack. It’s clear the key to this game will again be shutting down the Penrith attack, and the Rabbitohs have been solid in defence in recent weeks, including a clean sheet in their 26-0 win over the Eels. The Rabbitohs are the form team of the competition and should continue rolling against a Panthers side which could lose its third game from their past four outings. Penrith have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams, but this does appear a great opportunity for the Rabbitohs to even up that ledger.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Rabbitohs won at $1.60
North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors
Friday August 19 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 6.00pm AEST
The Cowboys are in a mini form slump despite occupying second spot on the ladder. They’ve lost two from their past five, but that also includes making hard work of snaring victory against the Tigers and the Bulldogs. They don’t get a better opportunity to play themselves right back into form than taking on the Warriors at home. The Warriors have won three of the last four encounters between these sides, with the past two decided by a solitary point. The Warriors put the in-form Bulldogs away last week with a big win at home, while the Cowboys were no match for the flying Roosters. The Cowboys should win this, but are very short. Happy to watch as it’s hard to predict which Warriors side will show up.
No suggested bet
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm
Friday August 19 | Suncorp Stadium | 7.55pm AEST
Many had written off the Storm after four straight losses, but they’ve got right back in the groove with three straight wins, including last week’s clinical display in beating reigning premiers Penrith. They come into this with a superb record against the Broncos, winning the past 11 meetings between the sides. The Broncos snapped a two-game losing streak in beating the lowly Knights last week, but will need to be much closer to their best against the more formidable Storm outfit. An important game for both sides as they battle it out for a top four spot. The Broncos go in unchanged, while the Storm are further bolstered by the return of Jahrome Hughes.
Suggested bet: 1u Storm -4.5 at $1.90
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Saturday August 20 | CommBank Stadium | 3.00pm AEST
Mitch Moses is an important inclusion for the Eels as it was evident they missed his attacking flair in last week’s 26-0 loss to the Rabbitohs. The Eels now clash with arch rivals the Bulldogs in what shapes as a fascinating clash. The Bulldogs were demolished by the Warriors last week in a game they were expected to win as they carried on their strong run of form. How will they respond? They will take confidence from the round four meeting with the Eels where they recorded a shock 34-4 victory. They should also be buoyed by the certainty of this week securing highly regarded Cameron Ciraldo as coach next year. A tricky match but the return of Moses should see the Eels back to their best.
Suggested bet: 1u Eels -9.5 at $1.90
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday August 20 | 4 Pines Park | 5.30pm AEST
No surprise to see the Sharks red-hot favourites here after winning nine of their last 10 – and the only loss coming to the Panthers. The Sharks are trending upwards, while the Sea Eagles are in free fall after four straight losses snuffed out any hope of finals action. The Sharks will be keen to continue their momentum towards the finals and have all but secured a top four spot after cruising to victory last week over the Tigers. Manly have won five of the last seven games between the sides but it’s clear they have an uphill battle to continue that dominance. Matt Moylan, Connor Tracey and Andrew Fifita return for the Sharks – strong replacements for Toby Rudolf who is sidelined through injury.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Sharks -11.5 at $1.90
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers
Saturday August 20 | SCG | 7.35pm AEST
The Roosters are hitting their straps at precisely the right time and many predict they can now have a say in the premiership. Riding a five-game winning streak, the Roosters now face the lowly Tigers, who have shown glimpses of promise but remain with only one win from their past 10 matches. The Roosters have won the last six meetings between these sides and go unchanged for this clash. They won’t have any trouble breezing past the Tigers.
Suggested bet: 1u -21.5 at $1.90
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
Sunday August 21 | WIN Stadium | 2.00pm AEST
After weeks of holding onto their slim hopes of playing finals, the Dragons’ season is finally over after losing in heart-breakingly close circumstances to the Raiders last week. This is now a mostly inconsequential clash with the Titans who scored a surprise win over the Sea Eagles at home last week, ending a 10-match losing streak. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is a strong inclusion for the Titans, who have also won the last three meetings.
Suggested bet: 0.5u Titans win at $2.45
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders
Sunday August 21 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 4.05pm AEST
The Raiders continue to hold onto their slim chances of making the finals – but this is a must-win if they want to cling onto any hopes of a top eight berth. They come into this clash with the Knights with strong recent form, winning four of their past five and the only loss in that period coming at the hands of the Panthers. Joseph Tapine and Nick Cotric return for the Raiders, as does coach Ricky Stuart from suspension. The Knights have won three of the past four between these two sides, but have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. It’s hard to see them being in the headspace to beat a hungry and in-form Raiders side.
Suggested bet: 1u Raiders -10.5 at $1.90