The NRL returns from Brisbane to continue this intriguing season. The ladder-topping Sharks proved their critics wrong last week against the Roosters, but this week they face the ultimate test in the Panthers. It is one of several games that are proving hard to tip this week.
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, May 23
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons
Accor Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 23. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward Bench: 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 21. Jake Turpin Reserves: 22. Blake Wilson
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Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin Bench: 14. Fa'amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Luciano Leilua Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Alec Tuitavake
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa- Adamski, Kasey Badge Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Bulldogs battled hard against the Raiders last week, but gave the game away early with too many simple errors. The Dragons were at home with their feet up for Magic Round, after beating the Rabbitohs the week before. These two teams are evenly matched, making it hard to tip a winner, but I am reluctantly going with the Bulldogs, who surely used up two weeks worth of errors last week.
Tip: Bulldogs by 8
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $1.60 (-3.5 $1.80) Dragons $2.35 (+3.5 $2)
Friday, May 24
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Wests Tigers
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 5. Murray Taulagi 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 21. Kyle Feldt 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo Reserves: 20. Harrison Edwards 22. Jaxon Purdue
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Declan Casey 4. Josh Feledy 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole Reserves: 18. Sione Fainu 19. Alexander Lobb
Officials
Referee: Belinda Sharpe Touchies: David Munro, Tyson Brough Bunker: Matt Noyen
Prediction: The Cowboys managed to beat the Rabbitohs last week, but made too many errors to do it convincingly. The Tigers battled hard, as they do every week, but just couldn't match the Dolphins over the full 80 minutes. The Cowboys are so unreliable that the Tigers could well spring an upset here, but as always it is hard to tip the Tigers.
Tip: Cowboys by 10
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $1.25 (-13.5 $1.90) Tigers $4 (+13.5 $1.90)
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Melbourne Storm
4 Pines Park, 8pm (AEST)
Sea Eagles: 21. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 20. Jaxson Paulo
Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King Bench: 14. Trent Loiero 15. Grant Anderson 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald Reserves: 18. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Wyatt Raymond, Chris Sutton Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Sea Eagles went very close to beating the Broncos last week, while the Storm lost star five-eighth Cameron Munster as they ran away from the Eels. If ever the Sea Eagles were going to upset the Storm it is this weekend, at home, against the depleted Storm. This game could go either way, but Daly Cherry-Evans will be keen to grab a win before heading off to State of Origin next week.
Tip: Sea Eagles by 6
PointsBet odds: Sea Eagles $2.05 (+1.5 $1.90) Storm $1.77 (-1.5 $1.90)
Saturday, May 25
Canberra Raiders vs. Sydney Roosters
GIO Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Peter Hola Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Zac Woolford 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Michael Asomua 22. Hohepa Puru
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May Reserves: 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Nat Butcher 20. Siua Wong 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Ethan King
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Jon Stone, Drew Oultram Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Raiders were sloppy during their victory over the Bulldogs last week, while the Roosters couldn't quite get past the Sharks. It is hard to believe that the Raiders have slipped past the Roosters on the ladder, something that Trent Robinson's men will be very keen to rectify.
Tip: Roosters by 10
PointsBet odds: Raiders $3.70 (+11.5 $1.90) Roosters $1.28 (-11.5 $1.90)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Penrith Panthers
PointsBet Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Billy Burns 20. Samuel Healey 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Braydon Trindall
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth Reserves: 18. Mavrik Geyer 19. Soni Luke 20. Trent Toelau 21. Jesse McLean 22. Tyrone Peachey
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Sharks continued to prove the doubters wrong with an outstanding victory over the Roosters last week, while the Panthers looked a bit off their game as they were upset by an enthusiastic Warriors side. This should be a great battle with the Sharks full of confidence and well and truly ready for this ultimate test of their premiership credentials. The Panthers, they don't lose two in a row very often though.
Tip: Panthers by 8
PointsBet odds: Sharks $1.62 (-3.5 $1.90) Panthers $2.30 (+3.5 $1.90)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Parramatta Eels
Accor Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess Reserves: 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson 20. Matthew French 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Eels: 1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J'maine Hopgood Bench: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi Reserves: 18. Brendan Hands 19. Morgan Harper 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Luca Moretti
Officials
Referee: Chris Butler Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa- Adamski, Clayton Wills Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: Both of these teams are really struggling, with the Rabbitohs losing to the Cowboys last week, while the Eels stopped playing in the second half against the Storm. You would think the Rabbitohs losing streak will have to come to an end eventually and with Wayne Bennett locked in, now might be the time for players to switch on and impress rather than face missing out next year. Or will having Trent Barrett in charge turn things around for the Eels?
Tip: Rabbitohs by 4
PointsBet odds: Rabbitohs $2.20 (+2.5 $1.90) Eels $1.67 (-2.5 $1.90)
Sunday, May 26
Brisbane Broncos vs. Gold Coast Titans
Suncorp Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Josiah Karapani 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski Reserves: 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Fletcher Baker
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 18. Jacob Alick-wiencke 5. Tony Francis 6. Chris Randall 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Josiah Pahulu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas Bench: 14. Keenan Palasia 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Joe Stimson Reserves: 22. Jaylan De Groot 20. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui
Officials
Referee: Peter Gough Touchies: Damian Brady, Michael Wise Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: The Broncos had a tough encounter with the Sea Eagles last week, managing to take home the points with a field goal. The Titans were very unlucky to lose their clash with the Knights and continue to show improvement in their performances. Have they improved enough to beat their big brothers at Suncorp? This will be a tougher than expected game for the Broncos, but they should squeak home.
Tip: Broncos by 8
PointsBet odds: Broncos $1.20 (-13.5 $1.90) Titans $4.25 (+13.5 $1.90)
New Zealand Warriors vs. Dolphins
Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 4. Adam Pompey 23. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Marcelo Montoya 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 10. Bunty Afoa 9. Freddy Lussick 17. Marata Niukore 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Dylan Walker Bench: 14. Tom Ale 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Jacob Laban 18. Paul Roache Reserves: 22. Edward Kosi 21. Zyon Maiu'u
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan
Officials
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: Jarrod Cole, Nick Pelgrave Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Warriors were brilliant for the most part in upsetting Penrith last week, but the Bulldogs gave the Panthers a run the week before, so maybe they aren't travelling as well as they should be. The Dolphins had their issues against the Tigers but continued on their winning way. This is a tough game to pick as I am not really sure that one win marks a turning of the corner for the Warriors.
Tip: Dolphins by 4
PointsBet odds: Warriors $1.90 (+0.5 $1.95) Dolphins $1.90 (-0.5 $1.85)
BYE: 
Knights
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.