Only five more weeks until the NRL finals and we have plenty of headlines to watch in Round 16. The action kicks off on Thursday night with a blockbuster between the Eels taking on the Rabbitohs, and the team at Bet King are back with their betting tips for every match of the round.
Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thursday August 27 | Bankwest Stadium | 7:50pm
It’s a top 8 battle at Bankwest on Thursday night footy with the Eels taking on the Rabbitohs.
Parramatta comes off a 14-0 shutout of the injury-riddled Storm and will need the same defensive effort against Souths.
South Sydney produced a stunning 38-0 half-time score line as they pumped Manly 56-10 for their 4th straight victory.
In team news, Niukore is out with a suspension for the Eels. Souths get Gagai but lose Johnson to injury. Liam Knight is back on the bench.
Both sides have plenty of attacking weapons and we feel this matchup will be able to see the points overs salute.
Prediction: Over 37.5 Points @ $1.85
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
Friday August 28 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 6:00pm
The Dragons look to keep their slim top 8 hopes alive against the Titans on Friday night.
St. George survived a spirited Brisbane team last week in the 28-24 result, their second win on the trot.
The Titans’ defensive woes have returned over the last two weeks after a 36-16 loss to Canberra on the weekend.
In team selections, the Dragons will be without Sims and Vaughan. Meanwhile, the Titans get Ash Taylor back but lose Fotuaika to suspension. Tyrone Peachey moves into the starting lineup. Mitch Rein is back at hooker and Beau Fermor comes off the bench into the starting 13.
The Dragons have won the last three against the Titans, including a 20-8 win this season. So we can’t see them losing the lead with finals hopes on the line and against a leaky Titans defence.
Prediction: Dragons HT/FT @ $1.75
Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Friday August 28 | SCG | 7:55pm
The Broncos team will be reeling from the Seibold sacking, and the outlook doesn’t look much brighter as they head to Sydney to battle the Roosters.
Sydney returned to form last week with a comfortable 38-16 victory over Wests.
Brisbane have lost six straight games but fought hard against the Dragons last week in the 28-24 defeat.
The Roosters will regain skipper Cordner and Tupou on the wing. Brisbane have lost Milford to injury and Paix will start at hooker.
59-0 sums up the last meeting between the two sides as the Roosters ran riot. This should a similar result as the Broncos leaky defence hasn’t improved since then. Take the points overs.
Prediction: Over 46.5 Points @ $1.90
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
Saturday August 29 | Scully Park | 3:00pm
The finals-bound Knights look to handle the in-form Warriors in Tamworth to kick off Super Saturday action.
Last week, the Warriors outlasted the Bulldogs 20-14 and kept their slim top 8 hopes alive.
The Knights were sloppy in their 12-0 win over the Cowboys but they’ll take the 2 points and have now won three on the trot.
In team selections, the Warriors get Chanel Harris-Tavita back at halfback and Eliesa Katoa returns in the 2nd row. For the Knights, Mason Lino replaces the injured Blake Green.
This should be an entertaining day game in Tamworth and we’ll be backing a high scoring affair.
Prediction: Over 41.5 points @ $1.90
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday August 29 | Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 5:30pm
The Sharks look to shore up a top 8 spot as they clash with the Cowboys.
Cronulla couldn’t stop the Panthers juggernaut last week in a 38-12 loss but they’ll be keen to continue the Cowboys woes.
North Queensland will be eager to end an eight-game losing streak but the injury bug just continues to hurt this poor young team.
The Sharks will regain Shaun Johnson and have dropped Moylan in the halves for Connor Tracey. Briton Nikora also returns to the starting side. For the Cowboys, they’ve lost the important Taumalolo to injury and Molo will return to the run on side. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is also injured. Asi returns to 5/8th for Hampton. But they do get Val Holmes back from injury.
With more to play for and a point to prove after last week, the Sharks should be able to comfortably dominate the Taumalolo-less Cowboys.
Prediction: Sharks -10.5 @ $1.95
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers
Saturday August 29 | Panthers Stadium | 7:35pm
The Panthers are the new premiership favourites and they will look for another victory to remain on top of the ladder against the Tigers.
Penrith extended their winning streak to ten games on the weekend as they thrashed the Sharks 38-12 and now have a three-point lead over 2nd spot on the ladder.
The Tigers were outclassed by the Roosters last week and will be desperate for the 2 points here.
In team news, the Panthers will be without the suspended Kikau and Koroisau is also injured, but Brian To’o is back from injury on the wing. The Tigers have Harry Grant back from injury and Alex Twal returns to the starting side.
Wests have a pretty good record against Penrith and Kikau/Koroisau are big outs for the home side. So we like the Tigers chances of keeping it close.
Prediction: Tigers +13.5 @ $1.85
Melbourne Storm vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sunday August 30 | Sunshine Coast Stadium | 4:05pm
A modern-day rivalry reignites on the Sunny Coast with the Storm and the Sea Eagles.
Obviously injuries have hit the Storm hard and they couldn’t get any attack going in last week’s 14-0 loss against Parramatta.
It’s a similar story for Manly after their embarrassing 56-10 loss against South Sydney and they’ve now lost four on the trot.
Melbourne have some huge ins with Cam Smith, Munster and Hughes all named to return at this stage. That softens the blow of losing the injured trio of Brandon Smith, Jacks and Kenny Bromwich. Manly will be without Suli in the centres. Marty Taupau returns to the starting side and Joel Thompson is back from injury.
Melbourne have been dominant at their second home on the Sunshine Coast and the return of Smith/Munster/Hughes should see them crush the out of form Sea Eagles.
Prediction: Storm -12.5 @ $1.92
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sunday August 30 | GIO Stadium | 6:30pm
It’s Sunday night footy in the nation’s capital with the Raiders hosting the Bulldogs.
Canberra have found their attack in the last two weeks and come off a 36-16 victory over the Titans.
The Bulldogs are finishing off the season with a few close losses to the Warriors and Tigers, and they’ll be extra keen for an upset to get off the bottom of the ladder.
In team selections, Corey Harawira-Naera is out for the Raiders and Hudson Young returns to the starting side along with Papalii/Lui. The Bulldogs have dropped Thompson, Cogger, Smith, Lafai, Averillo and Sue. Lewis is back at halfback, Montoya moves to centre and DWZ returns to the wing. Napa is back from suspension as well.
It’s hard to see the Bulldogs competing with so many structural team changes so we like the chances of the points overs as the Raiders attack should be able to score 30+ points again.
Prediction: Over 42.5 Points @ $1.90
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For more free sports betting tips head to www.betking.com.au where you’ll also find an independent PlayUp review.
