Round 6 in the NBL26 season continues on Saturday night with yet another double-header for fans to enjoy. The second game of the night is a battle between the Perth Wildcats and the Illawarra Hawks in the Jungle. We bring you our preview and best bet below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL26 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
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Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 6
Wildcats Shoot for Consistency
The Perth Wildcats have been a bit of a mixed bag to start the NBL26 season, but they’ve still done enough to sit comfortably in the upper half of the ladder at 4-3. While inconsistency has been an issue, their ceiling remains as high as any team in the competition. When they’re switched on defensively and moving the ball crisply, they’re hard to stop — as shown in their commanding 32-point demolition of the Taipans in Cairns last round. That performance was a timely reminder of the Wildcats’ firepower, and they’ll look to build momentum back at RAC Arena, where they’ve traditionally been one of the toughest teams to beat.
Hawks Trying to Find Identity
The Illawarra Hawks, by contrast, have endured a nightmare start to their title defence. With only one win from their first five games, they’ve struggled to recapture the intensity and cohesion that carried them to last season’s championship. The Hawks sit bottom of the ladder after a 40-point hammering at the hands of the Phoenix, where both their defensive rotations and offensive execution completely fell apart. It’s been a concerning run for a side once known for its grit and defensive steel, and they now face another daunting road trip to Perth with confidence at rock bottom.
Recent H2H History
Looking at the recent head-to-head history, these two sides last met in Round 3, where the Wildcats prevailed 92-84 at RAC Arena. That victory snapped a two-game winning streak for the Hawks in this matchup and reaffirmed Perth’s home-court dominance. Historically, the Wildcats have held the upper hand in this rivalry, especially in Perth, where the raucous Red Army crowd often plays a decisive role. The Hawks will need to summon a far better effort if they’re to reverse that recent trend.
Wildcats or Hawks? Here’s Our Tip!
Given how the two teams are tracking, it’s hard to see anything other than another comfortable Wildcats win. Perth have been far more reliable this season, showing a stronger structure at both ends of the floor and a deeper, more balanced rotation. Illawarra’s defensive woes and lack of scoring rhythm remain major red flags, particularly against a side that thrives on transition opportunities. With that in mind, the Wildcats should be too strong at home and are well-placed to cover the -4.5 spread.
Perth Wildcats –4.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Wildcats vs Hawks Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday, October 25th, 2025
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Location: RAC Arena
Odds: Wildcats $1.45 vs Hawks $2.80
Line: Wildcats –4.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Wildcats vs Hawks
You can watch the Wildcats vs Hawks clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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