State of Origin is here and so the NRL begins its truncated rounds, with seven teams enjoying a bye this weekend. Less games mean an easier tipping round, right?
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, May 30
Parramatta Eels vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Commbank Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue Bench: 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Shaun Lane 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Wiremu Greig Reserves: 18. Daejarn Asi 22. Luca Moretti
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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jack Williams Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Royce Hunt 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Belinda Sharpe, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Eels were horrible last week in becoming just the second side to lose to the Rabbitohs this season. The Sharks were similarly embarrassed by the Panthers in a sound reminder of how far they have to go before they can truly challenge for the title. The Sharks will be without Nicho Hynes, as the Eels welcome back some key stars. This game could go either way, but the Eels were so awful and the Sharks will be so keen to bounce back, that I'm tipping the Sharks
Tip: Sharks by 4
PointsBet odds: Eels $2.10 (+1.5 $2) Sharks $1.73 (-1.5 $1.80)
Friday, May 31
Newcastle Knights vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
McDonald Jones, 8pm (AEST)
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Poasa Faamausili Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Harry Hayes
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Kasey Badger, Jon Stone Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Knights had the bye last week after sneaking home against the Titans the week before. The Bulldogs really found their form against an ordinary Dragons side last week, but lose their best two players to Origin for this clash. When these two teams met in Round 7 the Bulldogs notched up an impressive 36-12 victory, can they do it again this time in Newcastle and without Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton? I'm not sure.
Tip: Knights by 6
PointsBet odds: Knights $1.53 (-5.5 $1.90) Bulldogs $2.50 (+5.5 $1.90)
Saturday, June 1
Penrith Panthers vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
BlueBet Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jesse McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Preston Riki 16. Mavrik Geyer 17. Tyrone Peachey Reserves: 18. Isaiah Iongi 19. Ativalu Lisati 20. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Casey McLean
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ryan Couchman Reserves: 18. Fa'amanu Brown 19. Michael Molo 20. Alec Tuitavake 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Mikaele Ravalawa
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Matt Noyen, Drew Oultram Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Panthers were angry last week, after losing to the Warriors the week before, and the Sharks paid the price for daring to challenge their supremacy. The Dragons were good in the first half against the Bulldogs before being trampled after the break. The Panthers lose several key players to Origin, while the Dragons lose Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax. The Panthers usually have the systems in place to handle any Origin player drain and should be able to knock the Dragons over.
Tip: Panthers by 14
PointsBet odds: Panthers $1.45 (-6.5 $1.95) Dragons $2.75 (+6.5 $1.85)
Dolphins vs. Canberra Raiders
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe, 7:35pm (AEST)
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 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. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Anthony Milford Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Edrick Lee
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Ata Mariota 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Zac Woolford 20. Peter Hola 21. Michael Asomua 22. Hohepa Puru
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Chris Sutton, Phil Henderson Bunker: Peter Gough
Prediction: The Dolphins had enough opportunities to beat the Warriors last week, but ran out of puff tackling the relentless New Zealand attack. The Raiders were thumped by the Roosters in what was a disappointing effort in front of a big home crowd. The Dolphins will look to bounce back in front of their adoring crowd, with Trai Fuller slotting effortlessly back into the Hammer's empty boots.
Tip: Dolphins by 8
PointsBet odds: Dolphins $1.55 (-4.5 $1.90) Raiders $2.45 (+4.5 $1.90)
Sunday, June 2
Sydney Roosters vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Allianz Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Roosters: 4. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 17. Michael Jennings 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Siua Wong 16. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Blake Steep Reserves: 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Delasalle Vaa
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tomas Chester 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Jason Taumalolo Reserves: 19. Thomas Duffy 22. Jaxon Purdue
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: David Munro, Wyatt Raymond Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Roosters thumped the Raiders last week, whilst the Cowboys dropped in and out of their eventual victory over the Tigers. Both teams lose players to the Origin camps, with the Roosters losing captain James Tedesco late after Dylan Edwards was ruled out with an injury. Joseph Manu takes his place at fullback as he has on many occasions, and the Roosters will lose little. The Roosters should still be too good for the Cowboys.
Tip: Roosters by 18
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.17 (-16.5 $1.90) Cowboys $5 (+16.5 $1.90)
BYE:
Broncos
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Storm
Tigers
Titans
Warriors
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.