The following are previews with betting tips for Round 24 of the 2021 NRL season.
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Knights v TitansThursday, August 26, 7:50pm AEST |
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Having won four consecutive games, most recently in a solid performance over the Bulldogs, Newcastle are in a prime position to make the top-eight and will be looking to build form and momentum over the last two games of the regular season. They will face a Titans outfit running out of chances to break into the top-eight after disappointing losses to the Rabbitohs and Storm.
Newcastle will be missing David Klemmer to a one week suspension, a loss somewhat offset by the return of Tyson Frizell in the second-row with Sauaso Sue shifting to starting-prop as cover. For the Titans, Ash Taylor has been dropped with Tyrone Peachey shifting to five-eighth as Phillip Sami and Mitch Rein return to the starting side on the wing and at hooker respectively. Mo Fotuaika will also return from a knee injury on the bench in a welcome boost to the Titans’ middle-rotation.
Newcastle will enter this match as narrow favourites given the Titans’ recent form. Expect an intense physical contest as the Titans fight for their finals series but Newcastle’s improved form and particularly their defense should get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Knights H2H @ $1.96 (Unibet)
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Warriors v RaidersFriday, August 27, 6:00pm AEST |
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The Warriors suffered a crushing loss to the Broncos last week, despite scoring more tries than their opposition in a result which could be the end of their finals contention. The Kiwi club will face a resurgent Raiders who came agonisingly close to a win over Manly last week with the Canberra club similarly under pressure to break into the top-eight with only two games to go.
After an impressive team performance last week, Canberra will welcome Corey Horsburgh and Siliva Havili on the bench in a massive boost to their forward-rotation in Ricky Stuart’s only changes. Meanwhile, the Warriors will welcome back a number of players in Matt Lodge, Kodi Nikorima and Sean O’Sullivan in a welcome boost to an otherwise unchanged line-up.
Canberra will enter this match as firm favourites given their late-season form resurgence, and while the Warriors have shown similar improvement as the year has passed, the enormous disruption to their squad over the course of the season looks to be taking a toll. Expect this desperate Raiders outfit to get the win.
Betting Tip Warriors +6.5 @ $1.95 (Bluebet)
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Roosters v RabbitohsFriday, August 27, 7:55pm AEST |
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Souths Sydney did their premiership chances no harm in a relatively narrow loss to the Panthers last week that saw them dominate the game for much of the first-half. They will face an in-form Roosters outfit currently in the top-four but their position is under serious threat from Manly if they fail to win their last two games.
Souths hooker Damien Cook is under an injury cloud and could be a late withdrawal from the team despite being named. They will also be missing Josh Mansour and Keaon Kolomatangi with Jaxson Paulo and Jaydn Su’a drafted into the starting side on the wing and at second-row respectively. Meanwhile, the Roosters injury woes continue with the forced absence of Adam Keighran, Dale Copley and Nat Butcher with utility Lachlan Lam shifting to the centres and Ben Marschke and Naufahu Whyte joining the bench.
Given the Roosters’ injury crisis, Souths will enter this match as firm favourites but should be wary of Trent Robinson’s troops given a loss could see them drop-out of the top-four. If Trent Robinson’s troops can form new defensive combinations quickly they can certainly win this game, but expect a big response from South Sydney after a disappointing loss last week. Rabbitohs to get the win.
Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -12.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Dragons v CowboysSaturday, August 28, 3:00pm AEST |
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North Queensland suffered their 10th consecutive loss against the Eels last week with coach Todd Payten desperate to finish his maiden season at the Cowboys on a positive note. They will face a St George outfit similarly suffering a concerning losing-streak with the joint-venture’s finals chances fizzling out with a disappointing loss to the Roosters.
Anthony Griffin is still tinkering with his preferred line-up with rookie Tyrell Sloan replacing the departing Matt Dufty as fullback as Roosters’ loan player Freddy Lussick looks set to line-up against his own club off the bench as Blake Lawrie returns from a hand-injury at prop. For the Cowboys, Kyle Feldt and Murray Taulagi will both return in a huge boost to their outside backs with Todd Payten also making the bold decision to shift Valentine Holmes to the centres. Jason Taumalolo and Griffin Neame will also return to the forward-rotation at prop and interchange respectively in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Both these teams have been in poor form and are out of finals contention but their respective coaches will be desperate to extract some positivity from an otherwise disappointing season. This one could go either way but expect the more stable Dragons squad to get the points.
Betting Tip: Dragons -1.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365) or Dragons -2.5 @ $2.00 (Bluebet)
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Sharks v BroncosSaturday, August 28, 5:30pm AEST |
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Brisbane produced an encouraging victory over the Warriors last week as the Broncos continue to distance themselves from their woeful early-season form. They will face a Cronulla outfit who still need to win their last two remaining games to be sure of a finals berth after a dominant win over the Tigers last week.
Brisbane have named an unchanged squad given their victory last week, while Cronulla will be missing Ronalda Mulitalo to a season-ending injury in a huge blow to their outside backs as Mawene Hiroti joins the wing as cover. Aiden Tolman will also join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Cronulla will enter this match as firm favourites but should be wary of an improved Broncos outfit who managed a narrow-victory over the Sharks when they last met. This game is a must-win for the Sharks given they will face the Storm in their last game of the regular season. This match could go either way but expect the desperation of Cronulla to get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Sharks -4.0 @ $1.95 (Playup)
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Storm v EelsSaturday, August 28, 7:35pm AEST |
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Melbourne produced a comfortable victory over the Titans last week to extend their winning-streak to 19 games. They will be looking for their 20th consecutive win against a struggling Eels squad who notched a solid win over the Cowboys as the Parramatta club desperately look to regain form before the finals.
Melbourne will welcome back a number of stars in Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and Justin Olam in a massive boost. Dean Ieremia will also replace George Jennings on the wing, while Tui Kamikamica is also a chance of being a late inclusion after he was named in the reserves. For the Eels, Blake Fergusson will replace the injured Maika Sivo on the wing as Keegan Hipgrave joins the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Melbourne will enter this match as firm favourites, but should be cautious of an Eels squad who will be well aware they need to bring their best football to challenge the Melbourne juggernaut. Expect the massive boost of the Victorians’ returning stars to get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Storm -22.5 @ $1.95 (Bluebet, Playup)
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Sea Eagles v BulldogsSunday, August 29, 2:00pm AEST |
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Manly posted an inspirational win over the Raiders last week in a result which has the club in the box-seat to make the ever-important top-four in a huge turnaround for the Sea Eagles given their early-season woes. They will face the last-placed Bulldogs after the Canterbury club showed further improvement in a narrow loss to the Knights.
Manly will welcome back Tom Trbojevic at fullback in a massive boost. Brad Parker will also return from a concussion at centre in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, Canterbury have made a number of changes as Jack Hetherington returns in the front-row with Brandon Wakeham, Chris Patolo, Ofahiki Ogden and Sione Katoa forming an all-new bench as coach Trent Barrett continues the search for a winning formula.
Manly will enter this match as heavy favourites, particularly given the return of superstar Tom Trbojevic. Sea Eagles to get the win.
Betting Tip: Sea Eagles -30.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Panthers v TigersSunday, August 29, 4:05pm AEST |
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A 30-point loss to the Sharks typified the Tigers’ disappointing season as the joint-venture club failed to stand-up with their season on the line. Now only a mathematical chance of making the finals series, Michael Maguire’s troops will now face a grudge-match with rivals and premiership fancies in the Panthers after the Penrith club flexed their considerable muscle with a dominant victory over the Rabbitohs in their last game.
Wests were dealt a massive blow with the news star five-eighth Adam Doueihi has possibly suffered an ACL injury. Jock Madden will join the halves as cover with Jacob Liddle and Thomas Mikaele joining the starting-side at hooker and prop respectively with Alex Seyfarth also coming onto the bench. For Penrith, Brian To’o and James Fisher-Harris will return from extended absences in a huge boost leading into the finals in an otherwise unchanged squad.
There is plenty of feeling between these two teams given the controversy around Ivan Cleary’s departure from Wests, and while the Tigers should be up for a big performance, expect a focussed Panthers outfit to perform at their best on the eve of the finals.
Betting Tip: Panthers -20.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
Best Bet
Knights H2H @ $1.96 (Unibet)
Dragons -1.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365) or Dragons -2.5 @ $2.00 (Bluebet)