Brisbane enjoyed a much-needed bye last week after a sloppy win over the Dolphins. They will face a Canterbury outfit who surged back into form with an impressive last-win over the Rabbitohs, albeit without their Origin stars. It was an important response from the Bulldogs after their woeful 66-nil loss to Newcastle in round 18 – easing pressure on rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo and giving long-suffering fans some optimism.

Unsurprisingly, the Bulldogs have named an unchanged squad after their rousing win over Souths. Josh Addo-Carr is in some doubt after sustaining a hamstring injury in Origin III with Paul Alamoti his likely replacement. Meanwhile, Brisbane will receive a big boost with experienced edge-forward Kurt Capewell returning from a quad injury. Brisbane’s sole Origin representative in Patrick Carrigan has been included in the reserves and is likely to back-up with Jesse Arthars also included on the bench. Corey Oates will be a late withdrawal after sustaining an injury with his replacement yet to be named.

The Broncos will enter this match as firm favourites but should be highly cautious of a Canterbury outfit that looked a different beast with mid-season import Toby Sexton at halfback and Jake Averillo shifting to the fullback role. Experience and composure in key positions has been the Bulldogs’ Achilles heel all season and while the club won’t be making the finals, their coach will be pushing them for some big performances before the end of the season. Expect a brutal physical contest but the understrength Broncos should get the points in a narrow contest.

Betting Tip: Bulldogs +7.5 @ $1.91 (bet365)

Despite enjoying a bye last-week, North Queensland are on a warpath into the top-eight having rediscovered their form after a woeful start to the year. Gunning for their fifth consecutive win, they will take on the Sea Eagles – who were solid in a narrow victory over the understrength Roosters in round 18 with new coach Anthony Seibold facing plenty of challenges in his first year at the club.

Maroons stars Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai, Valentine Holmes and Reuben Cotter have been named to back-up from Origin III, with skipper Jason Taumalolo again named to come off the bench. Meanwhile, Manly’s Origin stars in Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have both been named to back-up as Dean Matterson joins the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.

The Cowboys have produced some devastating form in recent weeks, posting victories over heavyweights in the Storm, Penrith and Souths. Sitting equal 7th on the competition ladder, the Queensland club will be pushing to win as many of their remaining games as possible to maximise their finals chances. If Manly bring their best, this game should be a scintillating contest but it is hard to tip against North Queensland given their current form.

Betting Tip: Cowboys -4.5 @ $1.94 (Boombet)

Round 20 will bring a blockbuster clash between the Warriors and Sharks with both teams producing dominant victories last week over the Eels and Tigers respectively. Cronulla have failed to perform against the competition’s elite teams and could go a long way to securing a top-four berth with a victory, with the Kiwi club sitting just one win outside the top-four.

Cronulla have unsurprisingly named an unchanged squad in welcome signs of some squad continuity at the most important period of the season. For the Warriors, the absence of Bunty Afoa will see Mitchell Barnett shift to prop with Josh Curran coming into the second-row as cover. Shaun Johnson could be a possible late withdrawal depending on the timing of the birth of his second-child, with Ronald Volkman the likely replacement in his absence.

Cronulla have a woeful record against top-eight teams this season and with their opposition looking like a massive chance to break into the top-four, the Sharks will be desperate to prove they can go deep into the finals this year. Expect a tough physical contest but Cronulla’s struggles in the big moments should continue against an in-form Warriors squad playing in front of their home-fans. Warriors to get the win.

Betting Tip: Warriors H2H @ $1.99 (Picklebet)

The Dolphins produced a rousing two-point victory over an in-form Titans squad in a scintillating Queensland derby last week, snapping a four-game losing streak to relieve pressure on the NRL’s newest club. They will face no bigger test against the reigning premiers, particularly after their dominant last-star victory over the Storm, before a bye last week.

The Dolphins will welcome Felise Kaufusi’s return from concussion in the second-row. Origin star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named to back up from Origin III at centre with Kodi Nikorima retaining the fullback jersey. For Penrith, Origin stars Isaah Yeo, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin and Brian To’o have been named to back-up from their victorious Origin game. Scott Sorensen will also make his return from a neck injury, with superstar halfback Nathan Cleary also a possible late inclusion from a long-term injury layoff after he was included in the reserves.

Penrith will enter this contest as firm favourites given their recent form. The Dolphins have shown plenty of courage in recent weeks but as the season has progressed, their imbalanced roster and lack of depth in their first year in the NRL have become apparent. Expect the Panthers to get the win.

Betting Tip: Panthers -14.5 @ $1.92 (Boombet)

Parramatta were on the receiving end of a brutal, 36-point demolition at the hands of the Warriors last week with the club under huge pressure to stay in the top-eight. They will face the Titans, whose top-eight charge hit a roadblock in a disappointing loss to an understrength Dolphins outfit, leaving the club one win outside the finals cutoff.

Origin reps Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Reagan Campbell-Gillar have all been named to back-up from Origin III. Shaun Lane has been promoted to the starting second-row, relegating Andrew Davey to the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, Maroons stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika, David Fifita and AJ Brimson will all back up after their game-III loss in an otherwise unchanged squad.

Both teams will be burning from last-start losses and will be desperate to bank premiership points to make the finals. The return of their Origin stars will see the Eels enter the contest as firm favourites but they should be wary of a Titans line-up who have proven very capable of big performances. This match could go either way but expect a big bounce-back from Parramatta to hand them a narrow victory.

Betting Tip: Titans +9.5 @ $2.05 (Colossalbet)