The regular 2017 NRL season reaches its regular season conclusion this weekend. There is still plenty to play for and we take a look at every match and offer with our NRL Round 26 Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 NRL Round 26 Betting Tips
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The matches between these two sides have been classics over the past three seasons. Unfortunately injury has plagued the Cowboys side while the Broncos are up and down with form. They lost their second match to the Eels in the space of a month last week and it was largely due to the worst start in NRL history. The Eels scored off the opening play and recorded the fastest try ever. It was a sign of things to come and despite the Broncos' best efforts to fight their way into the match, the damage was done inside the opening 20-minutes.
The Broncos will need their defence to be better this week but fortunately for them they are up against a weakened Cowboys outfit. The Cowboys did manage to come from behind to defeat the Tigers but they will still need a win on Thursday to ensure they play finals footy. We are predicting the match to follow its recent history and be close, but ultimately the Broncos will earn the road victory with the injuries to the Cowboys stars playing its part.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at Sportsbet
Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Rabbitohs suffered one of their most humiliating defeats of all time. They were destroyed in a 64-6 defeat at the hands of the Storm. The side will need to turn up on Friday night otherwise they could be on the wrong end of another big scoreline.
The Eels were able to move into the top four on the ladder on the back of one of their most impressive wins this year. They defeated the Broncos at Suncorp stadium and put 52 points on their opponents. It is quite remarkable and it proves they are capable of contesting for the premeirship.
TIP: Eels at the margin (13+) – $1.91 at Sportsbet
Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Sydney Roosters were able to earn a come from behind victory against the Cronulla Sharks last week. It was a momentum building win for the Chookies who were riding a rollercoaster of results for the previous two months. The side strings together terrific wins but they have also chucked in a poor performance which leads to a loss. They are up against the Titans who have had a season to forget.
The Titans sacked Neil Henry as coach last week and three more of their stars went in for season ending surgery this week. We are predicting them to receive a hiding in this one as the Titans look forward to the season coming to an end and putting the year behind them.
TIP: Roosters at the line (-18.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
Manly Sea Eagles vs Penrith Panthers (Satuday 5.30pm AEST)
The Sea Eagles and Panthers have plenty to play for and it is likely the two sides will meet in a weeks time in the opening round of the finals series. It will be important for both teams to build momentum heading into their likely encounter while the Eagles will need a victory to ensure they make the finals series.
They managed to hold onto eighth spot by the skin of their teeth last week with a one point victory over the New Zealand Warriors. They needed a field goal from Daly Cherry-Evans to get them over the line. We aren't convinced the side is top eight side and they have been too hot and cold for us to back in this one.
Meanwhile the Panthers will be without Matt Moylan in this one but Nathan Cleary has proven to be terrific at steering the side around. He will outclass his opposite number seven and lift his side to victory.
TIP: Panthers at the margin (1-12) – $3.25 at William Hill
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Storm locked up the minor premiership a fortnight ago and after earning a 64-6 victory over the rabbitohs on the weekend, we believe they have hit top form. It could be reason enough for coach Craig Bellamy to rest his stars in a match which means little for his team. An injury to one of their stars would be a terrible end to the regular season for them.
Meanwhile the Raiders will enter this match with nothing to lose or gain. The side will likely throw the ball around and give it their everything. We are suggesting to steer clear of betting for this one with too many unknowns heading into the encounter.
TIP: No bet
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Newcastle Knights can hold their heads up high after their efforts thoughout the 2017 season. Unfortunately for them, they weren't able to avoid a third straight wooden spoon but the potential for success is there. We believe they will attempt to finish the year on a high note with a win at home in front of their old boys who lifted the premiership in 1997 but it will be hard against the defending premiers.
The Sharks weren't able to earn the win last week against the Roosters as they were pipped at the end. However, they put together a strong performance. They will be out to build momentum heading into the finals series and they will earn a comfortable victory in this one.
TIP: Sharks at the line (-10.5) – $1.90 at William Hill
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Dragons produced a hard fought victory last week against the Panthers to keep their season alive. The side will need one of the teams above them to lose and fortunately for the Dragons they have a strong for and against. They won't be too worried about putting on a big scoreline against the Bulldogs but instead they just need to ensure they get the win.
The Bulldogs don't have anything to play for and despite the side entering a two game winning streak, we can't see them producing a third to finish off their season. The side has had a terrible season and while their forward pack will match it with the Dragons, they won't match it with them in attack.
TIP: Dragons at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at CrownBet
Wests Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors (Sunday 6.30pm AEST)
The NRL regular season will conclude with the Wests Tigers hosting the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday night. We won't be predicting a winner in this one (but we believe the Tigers will come out on top) but instead we will be predicting a high scoring match. The two sides have left a lot to be desired in defence this year but they have managed to string points together when they were clicking. We are backing the two sides to exchange blows on the scoreboard in a high scoring contest.
TIP: Total points over 44.5 – $1.88 at William Hill
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