There’s plenty of storylines in Round 13 of the NRL season, which kicks off Thursday night with the Dragons looking to upset the premiership favourites in the Roosters. Check out our Round 13 preview and tips with thanks to the team at Bet King.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
Thursday August 6 | WIN Stadium | 7:50pm
Traditional rivals go head-to-head on Thursday night with the Dragons taking on the Roosters in Woolongong.
The 11th-placed Dragons will be desperate to end a two-game losing streak against the Roosters and they’ve dropped a big name.
St. George have dropped Corey Norman and Clune will return at halfback. Merrion is also back in the second row for Host. Josh Morris returns for the Roosters but they’ll be without Kyle Flanagan at halfback.
Sydney had all the luck in their 18-12 win over the Titans but with a sizeable injury list, they’ll be happy to get through this match to remain in the top four on the ladder.
With the Roosters suffering through an injury crisis, we think the Dragons can possibly cause an upset on their home turf.
Prediction: Dragons +10.5 @ $1.90
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors
Friday August 7 | Brookvale Oval | 6:00pm
A bottom 8 clash at Brookvale Oval kicks off Friday night footy with the Sea Eagles clashing with the Warriors.
Manly dropped out of the top 8 after a poor performance led to a 42-12 loss against the Panthers on Saturday night.
New Zealand kept their top 8 hopes alive with a huge upset victory over the Tigers, 26-20.
In team news, Tevita Funa comes into the centres for Parker and Cust is straight back into the side for the injured Walker. With Blake Green moving to the Knights, Chanel Harris-Tavita gets his chance at halfback.
We like the Warriors at the line after their win last week and Manly’s defensive struggles could hurt them here.
Prediction: Warriors +11.5 @ $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos
Friday August 7 | ANZ Stadium | 7:55pm
It’s Bennett vs Seibold in the second match of our Friday night double header.
South Sydney returned to form after two close losses with a 32-24 victory over the Dragons last Thursday.
Brisbane collapsed to their 3rd straight loss and it’s looking like season over if they don’t beat the Rabbitohs.
In team selections, the Rabbitohs are unchanged at this stage. Brisbane have lost Milford to a hamstring. However, Daniel Fifita is back from injury along with Brodie Croft.
We like the chances of the points overs considering the Broncos aren’t great defensively and Souths have plenty of attacking weapons.
Prediction: OVER 38.5 Points @ $1.90
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Saturday August 8 | Sunshine Coast Stadium | 3:00pm
How will the Storm perform without the GOAT Cam Smith?
Melbourne got the job done against the Knights last Sunday 26-16 but an injury to Cameron Smith was the major talking point.
Another unlucky and close loss for the Bulldogs on the weekend as they went down to the Eels 18-16.
In team news, luckily the Storm have Brandon Smith to replace Cameron Smith at hooker. They’ll also give Papenhuyzen a rest and Hynes will play fullback. Olam is back in the centres for Seve. The Dogs have benched Tolman and Marshall-King. So Ogden and Katoa will get to start in the run on 13.
We can see the Storm focusing on their defence without Cam Smith in the lineup in what should be a low scoring clash.
Prediction: UNDER 40.5 Points @ $1.83
Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers
Saturday August 8 | McDonald Jones Stadium | 5:30pm
It’s 7th vs 10th in Newcastle on Saturday evening in an important clash for the finals hopes of the Knights and the Tigers.
The Knights continued their horrible record against the Storm with a 10-point loss on Sunday and have now lost 3 of their last 4 games.
Wests have lost back-to-back games against the Eels and Warriors so they’ll be desperate to turn it around here.
Newcastle will add Blake Green this week at 5/8th and Mann will move to hooker. Bradman Best is injured and Moga has been dropped. The Tigers have lost Grant and Twal to injury. Joey Leilua is back from injury and Luke Brooks is back in the halves for Walters.
Recent meetings between the Knights and Tigers suggest this will be a high scoring clash, especially considering they both gave up 26 points last week.
Prediction: OVER 38.5 Points @ $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday August 8 | Panthers Stadium | 7:35pm
Super Saturday features the top-of-the-table Panthers and 5th-placed Raiders in what should be a cracking game.
The Panthers smashed Manly 42-12 last week as Charlie Staines continued his incredible start to his NRL career with another two tries.
Canberra outlasted the Cowboys up north last week and sit comfortably in 5th place on the ladder.
Speaking of Staines, he has a hamstring injury and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak will replace him. The Raiders get Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back from injury at fullback and that pushes Rapana back onto the wing.
Really can’t wait for this clash between two in-form sides and what should be a finals-like affair. So we like the chances of a low scoring game as the Panthers and Raiders focus on their defence.
Prediction: UNDER 34.5 Points @ $1.90
Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys
Sunday August 9 | Cbus Super Stadium | 2:00pm
We’re looking forward to a Queensland Derby on the Gold Coast this Sunday.
Despite three straight losses, the Titans have pushed the Roosters and Panthers in recent weeks so it’s not all doom and gloom for the Gold Coast.
The injury-riddled Cowboys fought hard against the Raiders last week but just fell short in a 2-point loss.
In team news, the Titans have just the one change with Lisone replacing Stone. Meanwhile, the Cowboys get Morgan back from injury. Other changes will see Opacic in the centres and Josh McGuire returning to the front row.
The Cowboys love playing the Titans but we’re liking the form of the Gold Coast at the moment. So in dry/day conditions on the Goldy, get on the points overs.
Prediction: OVER 42.5 Points @ $1.90
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
Sunday August 9 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 4:05pm
The Sharks and Eels reignite their rivalry on Sunday afternoon footy.
Cronulla ended a horror losing streak at Suncorp last week with a 36-26 result and will come into this clash with confidence after three straight wins.
The Eels just outlasted the Bulldogs last week at ANZ with an 18-16 victory.
At this stage, Dugan has been named in the centres and Ramien will return from injury. Nikora has been dropped in the second row and Moylan returns from injury. For the Eels, Ray Stone will replace Takairangi on the bench.
Games involving the Sharks are proving to be very high scoring lately and we’re sticking with the trend against the Eels.
Prediction: OVER 38.5 @ $1.90
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