Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Thursday 26/8/21
Plenty at stake here as the Knights and Titans vie for a finals spot. The Knights are all but assured a spot in the finals (but stranger things have happened) while the Titans’ poor differential places them precariously in the finals race. For the Knights, Dave Klemmer is out through suspension while Tyzon Frizell returns from his ban. The Titans will be hardened after succumbing to top sides Melbourne and South in recent weeks and will obviously find this much easier. The Knights have won their past four, but they’ve been against much lower opponents. The Titans have also won this encounter the past two times these sides have met, but on both occasions it was held at their Cbus home turf. This game is up at the Sunshine Coast which should neutralise the home ground advantage. A tough clash to sum up so happy to sit back and watch.
No suggested bet
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders
Friday 27/8/21
The Raiders were unlucky not to pull off another upset win last week over the Sea Eagles and now face a Warriors side whose late season surge towards an unlikely finals berth came unstuck against the Broncos last week. The Warriors’ performance was full of merit against an improving Broncos side – and if Reece Walsh had kicked better late in the game – they’d have likely won and been right in the mix to make the top eight. Amazingly, the Warriors have lost seven games by six points or less in 2021 and I’m tipping this will be another close one. They have a couple of key personnel concerns whereas the Raiders go in largely unchanged. The Raiders should be too good here.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Raiders -6.5 at $1.90
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday 27/8/21
Another instalment of what continues to prove an intriguing and intense rivalry with no love lost between these two sides. Souths have won this clash quite convincingly the past two times they’ve clashed with the Roosters. They should get the job done here again against a depleted – but continually resolute – Roosters outfit. Souths will also want to hit back after last week’s loss to Penrith and this clash gives them the perfect chance to prove they are right up there in premiership contention. If they can get some cohesion and play a full 80 minutes they should also cover the line here.
Suggested bet: 1.5 u Rabbitohs -13.5 at $1.95
St George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday 28/8/21
With finals off the table for both sides, perhaps there’s some pressure off the Cowboys as they look to arrest a 10-game losing streak. They get Taumalolo and Feldt back, signalling they want to finish the season on a winning note. There are also some interesting stats about both sides leaky defence, with the Cowboys conceding 30 points per game in 2021, giving up more points than any other team in the competition. The Dragons concede 25 points per game on average but across the past six weeks that has soared to 34 per match as their season fell away. This could be a try-fest and I like the Cowboys, especially with Feldt back to do some damage.
Suggested bet: 2.5u Cowboys win at $2.20
Cronulla Sharks v Brisbane Broncos
Saturday 28/8/21
Another intriguing clash with the Sharks facing a must-win for their finals’ aspirations. They meet an improving Broncos side which has been led by its forwards in recent weeks to post some much better scorelines. Past clashes between this pair have been tight and expect that to be the case again. The Sharks are deserved favourites, but it’s hard to back them given their season has been plagued by inconsistency.
No suggested bet
Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
Saturday 28/8/21
The under-siege Eels steadied the ship with last week’s win over the Cowboys, but they now face the most daunting task in the game as they take on the Storm. With the Storm gunning for 20 straight wins, it’s near impossible to see the Eels spoiling the party. However, the Eels they did beat Melbourne back in round two at Bankwest Stadium, one of only two sides to lower the colours of this high-flying Melbourne outfit. But it’s a completely different scenario here with the Storm in full flight and the Eels seemingly on a downward spiral. Losing Maika Sivo for the season doesn’t help the Eels’ chances, but the near-four converted try line seems large when you consider the Eels were viewed by some as a genuine premiership contender not that long ago.
Suggested bet: 1u Eels +22.5 at $1.85
Manly Sea Eagles v Canterbury Bulldogs
Sunday 29/8/21
Only a few weeks ago back in round 16, the Sea Eagles inflicted a 66-0 hammering of the Bulldogs, led by a Tom Trbojevic hat-trick. He returns for this clash and could quite possibly wreak havoc again on the Dogs. The Bulldogs have also lost 14 consecutive games in Queensland, and despite showing signs of competitiveness in a couple of outings, simply aren’t up to the mark of taking it to a top eight side such as Manly. This has the makings of another drubbing and expect Manly to put on a show – and plenty of points.
Suggested bet:1.5u Manly -31.5 at $1.90
Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers
Sunday 29/8/21
Another mismatch with the Panthers looking to continue their return to form and put their mark on the competition’s second spot. The Panthers are inching closer to full strength every week and get Brian To’o and James Fisher-Harris back in the side to take on the Tigers. Wests have covered the line in five of their last seven matches, and their recent record against the Panthers in quite good. Will the Panthers be looking to absolutely decimate a side as they prepare for finals or will they be looking to take the foot off the gas if they are in a winning position? It’s a tricky one but I feel the Panthers will be looking to assert their authority here.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Panthers -29.5 at $1.85