Things are getting very serious now as up to 14 teams remain in the hunt for a Top 8 position on the NRL ladder. Every game is a grand final for several teams as each loss will see them tumble further from contention.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, July 26
New Zealand Warriors vs. Wests Tigers
Go Media Stadium, 6pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 22. Setu Tu 21. Demitric Sifakula
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Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Starford To'a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali'i Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Alex Twal Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 21. Solomon Alaimalo
Officials
Referee: Peter Gough Touchies: Drew Oultram, Paki Parkinson Bunker: Todd Smith
Prediction: The Warriors blew the perfect opportunity to stay in touch with the Top 8 last week against the Raiders, while the Tigers showed some spirit, but were ultimately thumped by the Rabbitohs. There are only so many times you can tip the Warriors and be surprised when they lose. Surely this time, at home against the Tigers, they have to win?
Tip: Warriors by 18
PointsBet odds: Warriors $1.23 (-13.5 $1.90) Tigers $4.20 (+13.5 $1.90)
Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm
CommBank Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Blaize Talagi 4. WIll Penisini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson Bench: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Moretti 17. Makahesi Makatoa Reserves: 18. Ethan Sanders 22. Dan Keir
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Cameron Munster Reserves: 19. Tepai Moeroa 21. Chris Lewis
Officials
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: Chris Sutton, Matt Noyen Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Eels had last week off, but lost star halfback Mitchell Moses to a torn bicep during the State of Origin decider. The Storm proved that they thoroughly deserve their position atop the NRL ladder with a convincing victory over the Roosters. I broke my rule about tipping against the Storm last week, I wont make that mistake again.
Tip: Storm by 22
PointsBet odds: Eels $5.50 (+15.5 $1.95) Storm $1.15 (-15.5 $1.85)
Saturday July 27
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Suncorp Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Tyson Smoothy 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau Reserves: 18. Corey Oates 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Vaa Semu 22. Brendan Piakura
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Liam Knight 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Drew Hutchison
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Dan Schwass Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: The Broncos broke their losing streak in emphatic style last week against the Knights, while the Bulldogs fumbled their chance to beat the Cowboys. Every game for the rest of the season is critical to both these teams, but with Adam Reynolds back at the helm, the Broncos will have too much class for the Bulldogs, who are still really struggling with their attack.
Tip: Broncos by 12
PointsBet odds: Broncos $1.40 (-8.5 $1.90) Bulldogs $2.95 (+8.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Jake Clifford
Sharks: 1. Liam Ison 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Samuel Stonestreet 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Jack Williams
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Nick Pelgrave, Clayton Wills Bunker: Matt Noyen
Prediction: The Cowboys did just enough to finish on top of the Bulldogs last week, while the Sharks rested. The Sharks need to keep winning to secure their position in the Top 4, while the Cowboys are one of many teams battling to stay in the Top 8. If the Cowboys play to their very best, they could win this, but it is hard to be confident about them. The Sharks are missing some big names.
Tip: Cowboys by 6
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $1.73 (-2.5 $1.95) Sharks $2.10 (+2.5 $1.85)
Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Allianz Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Ethan King 21. Salesi Foketi 22. Zach Dockar-Clay
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Ben Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Corey Waddell 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown Reserves: 18. Jamie Humphreys 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Ben Condon 22. Dean Matterson
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Phil Henderson, David Munro Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Roosters were never really in their big clash with the Storm last week, while the Sea Eagles started slowly against the Titans before overpowering them in the second half. I would rank these two as the most difficult to tip out of all the teams, but I'll take the Roosters to bounce back from their disappointing effort in Melbourne to win what should be an absolute cracker.
Tip: Roosters by 8
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.47 (-6.5 $1.90) Sea Eagles $2.70 (+6.5 $1.90)
Sunday, July 28
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Penrith Panthers
WIN Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Dragons: 18. Mathew Feagai 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila Reserves: 19. Blake Lawrie 1. Tyrell Sloan
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Brad Schneider
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Belinda Sharpe, Jon Stone Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: The Dragons had the bye last weekend after upsetting the Broncos the week before. The Panthers rested a host of Origin stars, but welcomed back Nathan Cleary who was instrumental in their victory over the Dolphins. The Dragons need this to stay in the race for the Top 8, while the Panthers till have their eyes on the minor premiership.
Tip: Panthers by 14
PointsBet odds: Dragons $4 (+11.5 $1.90) Panthers $1.25 (-11.5 $1.90)
Dolphins vs. Gold Coast Titans
Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
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. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Trai Fuller Reserves: 18. Sean O'Sullivan 22. Oryn Keeley
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall Bench: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu Reserves: 20. Tanah Boyd 19. Joe Stimson
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Michael Wise, Jarrod Cole Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Dolphins would have been disappointed last week when they allowed an understrength Panthers to run down their big second half lead. Similarly the Titans scored the first two tries early against Manly before not scoring another point. Finals football may be beyond the Titans now, but they will still be fired up to take down their fellow Queenslanders.
Tip: Dolphins by 10
PointsBet odds: Dolphins $1.53 (-6.5 $1.95) Titans $2.50 (+6.5 $1.85)
Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
GIO Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking Reserves: 18. Adam Cook 21. Zac Woolford
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 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. Tallis Duncan 13. Keaon Koloamatangi Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc Reserves: 19. Fletcher Myers 21. Shaquai Mitchell
Officials
Referee: Wyatt Raymond Touchies: Liam Kennedy, Drew Oultram Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Raiders managed a victory against the Warriors last weekend, despite conceding one more try. The Rabbitohs kept they slim finals hopes alive with a convincing victory over the Tigers. The Rabbitohs will still be missing Cameron Murray, but could have enough class to overcome the unconvincing Raiders.
Tip: Rabbitohs by 6
PointsBet odds: Raiders $1.67 (-3.5 $1.90) Rabbitohs $2.20 (+3.5 $1.90)
BYE:
Knights
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.