The 2025 NRLW season begins this Thursday with a full set of blockbuster fixtures across the weekend. With the addition of two teams to the 2025 edition of the competition, fans are treated to an extra game each week and an expanded Finals series. A full season preview can be found on the Before You Bet website. After an exciting NRLW State of Origin, fans are desperately waiting the start to the regular season. The quality has only improved each year, and this season looks set to be the best yet.
Check out our preview and NRLW tips for Round 1 below, with odds thanks to Neds!
2025 NRLW Round 1 Predictions & Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
Thursday 3rd July – Sharks Stadium – 7:45pm (EST)
Odds: Sharks $1.44 vs Eels $2.81
The Sharks enter the season as strong contenders after losing the Grand Final last season. With a similar squad, they are well placed to again make the Finals. The Eels fell short of this mark and will benefit from greater consistency in their play. Unfortunately, they are starting slowly with several key players unavailable for this match. The Sharks are the stronger side on paper and should deliver on the field also. This makes the line enticing and should be taken up. The Eels will be an improved defensive unit on last season but without key players, may struggle to score points and this plays well into the hands of the home side.
Sharks -6.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights
Friday 4th July – Accor Stadium – 5:40pm (EST)
Odds: Bulldogs $2.28 vs Knights $1.63
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding this game. The Bulldogs are a new venture in 2025 while the Knights are rebuilding after losing several key players. It is unknown whether they have the depth to cover this. One thing is for sure: Jesse Southwell will be leading this team around strongly. With the host fielding a strong side for their first match, this game is set to be a close contest. The best option in this contest is to invest around a close match and see what both have to offer moving forward. There are better options this weekend for an investment.
Either Team by 10 points or less
$1.82 (1.5 Units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers
Saturday 5th July – Totally Workwear Stadium – 12:45pm (EST)
Odds: Broncos $1.12 vs Tigers $6.50
You only must look at the disparity in odds, line offered and recent history to see why the Broncos are overwhelming favourites for this contest. The star-studded Broncos team will look to make a statement in their opening game for the season. As favourites to take out the competition, it is imperative to their success that they win this match. It is all but a forgone conclusion and the decision comes down to finding value in this contest. Given it is early in the season and combinations are still coming together, it would take a brave person to challenge the line. Even though the Tigers are fielding a young and inexperienced halves combination, there is every chance they could come out and shock. To alleviate any potential of that, the safe option is to take the home side to win by more than 2 converted tries.
Broncos 13+
$1.60 (2 Units)
Canberra Raiders vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Saturday 5th July – GIO Stadium – 3:15pm (EST)
Odds: Raiders $1.54 vs Dragons $2.50
The Raiders are strong favourites for this match with most believing that the Dragons are in the midst of a rebuild. While that is true to some extent, they will not want to let this opportunity pass them by. The Raiders are a capable team and can perform well on their day. That being said, they are vulnerable, and the visitors will sense that. This is the type of game that is worth staying away from to start the year; you will benefit from watching each team perform and having a clearer idea of what each offer for the 2025 season moving forward. If you must have a bet, the Raiders are the preferred selection, simply because they are at home. For an investment, it would be surprising to see either team win by more than 2 converted tries and this should be used to your advantage.
Either team by 12 points or less
$1.62 (1 Unit)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
Saturday 5th July – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 5:15pm (EST)
Odds: Cowboys $2.25 vs Titans $1.65
The Cowboys open their season with a home match, and it is important to their 2025 campaign that they re-establish a fortress in Townsville. A poor end to 2024 hurt the Titans changes, meanwhile, the Cowboys were lacklustre throughout the season. Both have rebuilt well ahead of 2025 and will want to start off the season with a win. Each are a winning chance here also. Just like the previous game, it is probably worth staying away from this contest. If not, then invest on the Cowboys as there is greater value for them to cause an upset. Their squad is so strong that several key recruits have been omitted. There is something in that which may prove beneficial the longer the season progresses.
Cowboys H2H
$2.35 (0.5 Units)
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors
Sunday 6th July – Allianz Stadium – 11:50am (EST)
Odds: Roosters $1.15 vs Warriors $5.50
It is amazing to think that there is such a disparity between the two teams based on the odds offered. The Warriors are welcomed back into the competition and will be out to make a statement. While the Roosters are a star-studded line up, they have often been slow to start each year. Being the defending Premiers may negate this but there is still a lot to like about the Warriors. They are strong in the forwards and have speed to burn on the edges. Providing their combinations are firing, this could be upset territory for the Roosters.
Warriors +15.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
