Round 20 of the NRL season begins at Suncorp on Thursday night footy with a QLD derby as the Dolphins host the Cowboys. Both sides need a win to keep up with the top 8 so it should be a cracker. Here is a betting preview of the NRL action this weekend.<\/p>\n
Coming off a tough 24-12 loss to the Sharks at Sharks Stadium, the Dolphins are looking to bounce back. They\u2019ve been a mixed bag this season, sitting at 8-9 overall with a 4-4 record at home and 4-5 on the road. Currently 10th on the NRL ladder, they\u2019re on a one-game losing skid but have gone 3-2 in their last five. The Dolphins have some serious firepower, ranking 2nd in the NRL for both points and tries scored, so expect them to come out swinging.<\/p>\n
Get ready for a showdown as the Cowboys take on the Dolphins! Sitting 12th on the NRL ladder with a 6-10 season record, the Cowboys are in a rough patch, dropping their last two games, including a tight four-point loss to the Bulldogs at North Queensland Stadium. Their form\u2019s been shaky, with a 1-4 record in their last five games. At home, they\u2019ve got a 3-1-5 record (1 draw), and on the road, they\u2019re 3-5. One big issue for the Cowboys is ball handling\u2014they\u2019re the second-worst in the league for errors made, which could spell trouble against a Dolphins side known for piling on points.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dolphins are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Suncorp. North Queensland are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2023, the Dolphins are 3-2 against the Cowboys.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Both sides have some firepower back on the park and the Over is 3-0 in this QLD derby.<\/p>\n Over 48.5 = $1.87<\/a><\/p>\n Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/p>\n Herbie Farnworth crossed the line last week and has scored a try in 3 of his last 5. He also scored in the Dolphins 58-4 win over the Cowboys last month. For the Cowboys, Murray Taulagi has a 6-0 record of scoring a try in his last 6 away games.<\/p>\n Over 48.5 pts \/ Herbie Farnworth Anytime Tryscorer \/ Murray Taulagi Anytime Tryscorer = $5.90<\/a><\/p>\n The Sharks are gearing up to face the Roosters, and they\u2019re coming in with some momentum after a solid 24-12 win over the Dolphins at Sharks Stadium. Sitting 9th on the NRL ladder with a 9-8 record, they\u2019ve been decent this season, especially at home, where they\u2019re 6-2. On the road, though, it\u2019s been tougher, with a 3-6 record. They\u2019re on a one-game winning streak, but their last five games show a 2-3 split, so consistency\u2019s been a bit of an issue.<\/p>\n The Roosters are ready to rumble against the Sharks, coming off a gritty 31-24 win over the Dragons in Round 19. Sitting 8th on the NRL ladder with an even 8-8 record, they\u2019ve been solid but not spectacular this season. They\u2019re 4-5 at home and a slightly better 4-3 on the road. The Roosters can light up the scoreboard, ranking 5th for points scored and 4th for tries in the NRL, but they\u2019ve got a bit of a fumble problem, sitting 5th for errors made. With a 3-2 record in their last five, they\u2019re looking to keep the momentum going.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Cronulla are 7-3 in their last 10 games at Shark Park. Sydney are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 10, the Roosters are 8-2 against the Sharks.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Over is a solid 6-2 in this matchup and both sides are in good enough form to score 20+ pts each.<\/p>\n Over 46.5 = $1.87<\/a><\/p>\n The Panthers are roaring into their matchup against the Rabbitohs, and they\u2019re on fire with a perfect 5-0 record in their last five games, including a dominant 32-10 smackdown of the Parramatta Eels in Round 19. Sitting 6th on the NRL ladder with an 8-7 season record, they\u2019ve been a mixed bag but are hitting their stride at the right time. At home, they\u2019re 4-4, while on the road, they\u2019ve got a solid 4-1-3 record. Riding a five-game winning streak, the Panthers are looking like a tough team to beat once again.<\/p>\n The Rabbitohs are limping into their clash with the Panthers, desperate to snap a brutal six-game losing streak after getting thumped 30-12 by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale in their last outing. Sitting 16th on the NRL ladder with a 6-11 record, it\u2019s been a rough season for the Bunnies. They\u2019re struggling big time on offence, ranking 16th in both points and tries scored, which isn\u2019t a great look. At home, they\u2019re 4-5, but on the road, it\u2019s been grim with a 2-6 record. Their last five games? A big fat 0-5. Facing a red-hot Panthers side, the Rabbitohs have their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Penrith are 5-5 in their last 10 games at CommBank. South Sydney are 8-2 in their last 10 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 10 meetings, the Panthers hold a 7-3 record against the Rabbitohs.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Panthers are looking back to their best and their defence should be the difference. The Under is now 6-0 in their last 6 at home so I like their chances of keeping the total under 45.5.<\/p>\n Under 45.5 = $1.87<\/a><\/p>\n The Raiders are charging into their showdown with the Eels like a team on a mission, sitting pretty at the top of the NRL ladder with a cracking 14-3 record. They\u2019re riding a seven-game winning streak, fresh off a nail-biting 28-24 victory over the Dragons at Canberra Stadium. These guys are killing it at home with a 7-1 record and aren\u2019t too shabby on the road either, rocking a 7-2 mark. The Raiders are an offensive juggernaut, ranking 3rd in both points and tries scored, and they\u2019ve been super tidy with the ball, sitting 16th for errors made. With a perfect 5-0 run in their last five, they\u2019re looking unstoppable.<\/p>\n The Eels are gearing up to take on the high-flying Raiders, but they\u2019re in a bit of a rut after a hefty 32-10 loss to the Panthers at Western Sydney Stadium. Sitting 15th on the NRL ladder with a 5-11 record, it\u2019s been a tough season for Parramatta. They\u2019re struggling on the road with a 2-6 record and haven\u2019t fared much better at home, going 3-5. Their last five games tell a grim story at 1-4, and they\u2019re on a two-game losing streak. The Eels are also tripping over themselves with errors, ranking 3rd in the league for mistakes, and their attack\u2019s been lacklustre, sitting 15th for both points and tries scored.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Canberra are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. Parramatta are 2-8 in their last 10 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 5 meetings, the Raiders hold a 3-2 record against the Eels.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Should be a tough matchup for the Eels in day conditions and the Over is 5-0 in the Raiders last 5 home games.<\/p>\n Over 47.5 = $1.80<\/a><\/p>\n The Bulldogs are ready to rumble against the Dragons, coming off a gritty 12-8 win over the Cowboys in Round 19. Sitting pretty at 3rd on the NRL ladder with a strong 12-4 record, these guys are in top form. They\u2019ve been rock-solid at home with a 5-2 record and even better on the road, boasting a 7-2 mark. With a 3-2 record in their last five and a one-game winning streak, the Bulldogs are looking sharp.<\/p>\n The Dragons are gearing up to face the Bulldogs, but they\u2019re coming in a bit bruised after a 31-24 loss to the Roosters at Jubilee Stadium. Sitting 11th on the NRL ladder with a 6-10 record, it\u2019s been a rocky season for the Red V. They\u2019re 4-4 at home but have struggled on the road with a 2-6 record. With a 1-4 mark in their last five games and a two-game losing streak, the Dragons are desperate to turn things around. Taking on a high-flying Bulldogs side, they\u2019ve got their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Canterbury are 5-5 in their last 10 games at Accor Stadium. St. George are 2-8 in their last 10 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bulldogs are 4-1 against the Dragons in the last 5.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dragons were decent against the Roosters last week and they have a good record against top 8 sides, covering the handicap in their last 7.<\/p>\n St. George Illawarra Dragons +8.5 = $1.90<\/a><\/p>\n The Storm are absolutely buzzing as they gear up to take on the Sea Eagles, riding a red-hot six-game winning streak after smashing the Knights 32-14 in Round 19. Sitting 2nd on the NRL ladder with a cracking 12-4 record, these guys are a force to be reckoned with. They\u2019re nearly untouchable at home with a 7-1 record and solid on the road at 5-3. The Storm are an offensive juggernaut, topping the NRL in both points and tries scored. With a perfect 5-0 run in their last five, they\u2019re looking like a nightmare for any opponent.<\/p>\n The Sea Eagles are soaring into their clash with the Storm, fresh off a cracking 30-12 win over the Rabbitohs at Brookvale, giving them a two-game winning streak. Sitting 7th on the NRL ladder with an even 8-8 record, Manly\u2019s been solid at home with a 6-3 record but a bit shaky on the road at 2-5. Their last five games show a decent 3-2 run, so they\u2019re bringing some momentum. Facing a red-hot Storm side, though, this is gonna be a tough test for the Eagles.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Melbourne are 10-0 in their last 10 games at AAMI Park. Manly are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 10 meetings, the Storm hold a 7-3 record against the Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Should be tough scoring conditions in the unpredictable Melbourne winter and the Under is 10-1 in the Sea Eagles last 10.<\/p>\n Under 47.5 = $1.95<\/a><\/p>\n The Tigers are limping into their matchup with the Titans after a rough 34-14 loss to the Warriors at Mount Smart. Sitting 14th on the NRL ladder with a 6-11 record, it\u2019s been a tough season for the Wests crew. They\u2019ve struggled at home with a 2-6 record, though they\u2019ve been a bit better on the road at 4-5. With a 1-4 mark in their last five games and a one-game losing streak, the Tigers are desperate for a spark. Their attack has been a weak point, ranking 14th in both points and tries scored.<\/p>\n The Titans are rolling into their clash with the Tigers on a rough patch, having dropped their last three games, including a 12-point defeat to the Broncos at Robina Stadium. Stuck at 17th on the NRL ladder with a 4-12 record, it\u2019s been a grim season for the Gold Coast boys. They\u2019re struggling both at home and away, with identical 2-6 records at each. Their last five games haven\u2019t been much better, going 1-4. Facing a Tigers side that\u2019s also been battling, this could be a golden chance for the Titans to snap their losing streak.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Wests are 5-5 in their last 10 games at Leichhardt. Gold Coast are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Titans are 4-1 against the Tigers in the last 5 meetings.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n This should be a great chance for the Titans to get a win. They have a nice 4-1 ATS record in Sydney against the Tigers as well.<\/p>\nCronulla-Sutherland Sharks (9th) vs Sydney Roosters (8th)<\/h3>\n
Penrith Panthers (6th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (16th)<\/h3>\n
Canberra Raiders (1st) vs Parramatta Eels (15th)<\/h3>\n
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (3rd) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (11th)<\/h3>\n
Melbourne Storm (2nd) vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (7th)<\/h3>\n
Wests Tigers (14th) vs Gold Coast Titans (17th)<\/h3>\n