The penultimate home and away round ensues as we charge towards the NRL finals.
The best bets for the rest of the round commence on Friday night between New Zealand and Canberra.
New Zealand vs. Canberra
august 27th 6:00pm
Canberra might see themselves in a different position coming into this game against New Zealand if not for being on the unlucky side of an 19-18 loss against Manly last week.
Instead, the Raiders are equal eighth but probably need two wins and one Cronulla loss to reach the finals due to an inferior points differential.
The Warriors – beaten by Brisbane last weekend – need two wins and for a host of other things to go their way if they’re to continue beyond round 25.
Raiders win this.
Suggested Bets: Canberra -6.5 at $1.91
Sydney vs. South Sydney
August 27th 7:55pm
The blood will boil when Sydney and South Sydney bash and crash against each other on Friday night.
It is a rivalry that even gets the neutral rugby fan up off their seat.
The Rabbitohs will want to respond to last Friday’s loss to Penrith while the Roosters finished well against the Dragons.
They won’t meet in the first week of the finals, but a clash in the preliminary finals is on the radar.
For that reason, neither coach will be wanting to give too much away.
South Sydney will probably win this game but the Roosters can cover the line.
Suggested Bet: Sydney Roosters +11.5 at $2.02
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Sydney Roosters +11.5
Leg 2: Total points over 49.5
Leg 3: A. Johnston anytime try
Combined odds = $5.25
St George vs. North Queensland
August 28th 3:00pm
A battle of two sides who entertained dreams of playing finals football eight weeks ago but have both fallen in massive holes to drop out of contention.
The Cowboys slumped to their 10th consecutive loss in round 23, outclassed 32-16 by the Eels, while the Red V showed flashes of brilliance against the Roosters before succumbing 40-22, their sixth defeat in a row.
Mathematically, the Dragons remain some hope of making the eight if they can win their final two games but even if they beat the Cowboys and Rabbitohs an inferior points differential would most likely see them miss out.
The faint glimmer of hope should be enough to spur on the Dragons here.
Suggested Bets: St George -3.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: St George head to head
Leg 2: Total points under 50.5
Leg 3: K. Feldt anytime try
Combined odds = $7.5
Cronulla vs. Brisbane
August 28th 5:30pm
Cronulla faces Brisbane on Saturday night in a game that will shape the finals series come September.
It is a simple story for the Sharks, with a win giving them a chance to secure a finals berth heading into the final round of the season next week.
Even if the eighth-placed Sharks win their last two matches it might not be enough to land them a spot in the finals.
That’s because they’re only 14 differential points ahead of the ninth-placed Titans.
Brisbane have shown they are capable of causing an upset, but the Sharks should prove a it too classy here.
Suggested Bet: Cronulla -6.5 at $2.02
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Cronulla head to head
Leg 2: Total points over 48.5
Leg 3: M. Hiroti anytime try
Combined odds = $3.80
Melbourne vs. Parramatta
August 28th 7:35pm
The Eels steadied the ship with a morale-boosting win over the Cowboys but they’ll to go up another couple of gears if they are to trouble the competition leaders.
On a positive note for the Eels they did beat Melbourne back in round two at Bankwest Stadium, one of only two sides to lower the colours of Craig Bellamy’s men in 2021.
The Storm lost again a week later to the Panthers and remarkably have not tasted defeat since – winning 19 on the trot to equal the all time record set by the 1975 Eastern Suburbs team.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen finding his feet and some key men refreshed after a week off in round 23 the Storm will be hot favourites to make more history on Saturday but the Eels have their mojo back and are sure to provide a stern test.
Suggested Bet: Parramatta Eels +22.5 at $1.87
Manly vs. Canterbury
August 29th 1:50pm
Manly looks to put itself in the prime spot for a top four finish when it faces Cantebury on Sunday.
Tom Trbojevic punched home a hat-trick when Manly crushed Canterbury in Round 16 and the wooder spoonder will not be relishing the prospect of facing a refreshed Turbo Tom.
The 66-0 hammering that ensued over a month ago won’t have faded and the bad news isn’t just limited to the prospect of more pain from Trbojevic, who was given the week off after suffering a minor facial injury against the Eels, given the multiple threats Manly present across the park.
Suggested Bet: Manly -27.5 at $1.90
Penrith vs. Wests Tigers
August 29th 4:05pm
The Panthers can pretty much confirm a home qualifying final should it overcome the Wests Tigers this Sunday afternoon.
Penrith continues to forge towards a full strength line-up with a host of key players returning each week and is regaining momentum at the perfect time after a spare of injuries put a few spanners in the work of 2021.
Wests, meanwhile, have been underwhelming in their pursuit for finals with the season all but over.
With nothing to play for but pride, it would be a surprise to see the Tigers put up any resistance at all in this.
Suggested Bet: Penrith Panthers -26.5 at $1.90
