The 2026 NRL season is just days away from kicking off and excitement is high for what lies ahead. Few people know this but when Andy Williams originally sung ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’, he was referring to the Rugby League season of 1963. Fast forward 63 years and the sentiments still ring true; it’s the hap-happiest season of all. As the commencement approaches, many unknowns plague the brains of NRL fans. Intrigue is high and this leads to many wondering where money can be made. It is time to channel your inner clairvoyant and look at what lies ahead this year for NRL fans.
Scooby takes a look at some of the best futures bets this year, and make sure you're betting with the best sports betting sites this season!
NRL 2026 Betting Preview: Predictions, Tips, and Value Bets
NRL 2026 Top 8 Betting: Teams to Make the Finals and Value Picks
The usual suspects come to mind when going through the list of Top 8 teams. They are based on form and strength of their squad. It would be surprising to see one of the Storm, Panthers, Roosters or Broncos fail to qualify for the Finals. That leaves 4 spots remaining. Assuming the Bulldogs continue to improve – they must rectify their issues in attack – they will be in contention. That leaves 3 spots remaining. Of the other teams remaining, the Rabbitohs, Sharks, Raiders, Warriors, Dolphins, Tigers and Eels are all a chance. 2025 form suggests the Sharks, Raiders, and Warriors are the next selections, but you cannot be certain. Therefore, it is best to go in search of value for this bet.
The Rabbitohs ($1.85) represent the greatest value, but they also must improve the most out of any team to feature in the Finals. This is probably a market worth avoiding for now. A few losses will cause the price of a team to drift dramatically, and value could be gain at this point.
Rabbitohs
$1.85 (1.5 units)
NRL 2026 Betting Odds: Teams to Miss the Top 8 and Smart Wagers
We are not talking about the teams that were completely ruled out in the NRL Season Preview. The value to be found is in teams which should make the Top 8 based on their 2025 form but will fall short for a variety of reasons. There are 4 possible options in the Bulldogs, Warriors, Raiders and Sharks.
It is unfair for the Raiders to be considering in this category considering they won the Minor Premiership in 2025. Nevertheless, the loss of Fogarty at halfback causes the greatest concern. There is a lot to like about Ethan Sanders but even he is untested at this level. The Warriors, if true to form, will depart the Top 8 and early signs of player disharmony are beginning to emerge. The Bulldogs must get their attack right, but their strong defensive structure should ensure they feature in September. Finally, the Sharks are a team at crossroads. With no major recruitments for this season, it remains unknown where their improvement comes from.
The Raiders and Sharks represent the greatest value for teams which are expected to make the Top 8. However, one team which has not been mentioned is the Dolphins. Most betting markets have them between $2-$2.15 to miss the Top 8. Their inconsistencies in defence make them vulnerable and they are still yet to display strong depth. A superstar halfback could win them more games than they lose but pinning your hopes on one player is never going to end well for a team desperate to play Finals rugby league.
The Dolphins
$2.05 (1.5 Units)
NRL 2026 Wooden Spoon Betting: Predictions for the Team with Most Losses
This is a market that you never want your team to be listed in and yet again, there are a host of teams who are demonstrating poor form even before the season has begun. Seeing anyone outside of the Knights ($4.75), Dragons ($4.25), and Titans ($4) would be a surprise but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Both the Knights and Titans have new coaches named in a desperate attempt to reverse their form. That is where this becomes interesting. To have a new coach finish last on the ladder who be diabolical for a rebuild. It does happen but usually, their ‘gloss’ ensures it is avoided in their first season.
The Dragons are the choice. Their trial form before departing for Vegas is concerning but similarly to the Sharks, their lack of star recruits leaves most wondering where their improvement will come from. A tough start by traveling to Vegas, followed by challenging games on special occasions, might just be their undoing. Of the other teams, massive questions remain over the Sea Eagles ($12) and Cowboys ($10) but the strength of their squads should get them through. You cannot go past the Dragons with the price that is currently offered on them.
NRL 2026 Top Point Scorer Betting: Odds, Favorites, and Value Selections
This is a great market to invest on at the beginning of the season. The formula is simple too: pick a goal kicking player from a team what is likely to finish high on the ladder. Despite missing the Top 8, the Dolphins scored the most points in 2025 meaning that Jamayne Isaako finished on top with 278 points. He is the favourite ($3.20) to win this again and there is a case for taking that option. Nick Meaney ($6) is the next in line and that is based on him taking over the full-time kicking duties with the departure of Papenhuyzen from the club.
The interesting one is Sam Walker. He is returning from injury for the Roosters and will take majority of their attempts at goal. Unlike Meaney and Isaako, his greatest limitation is that he will not score as many tries. That will matter little if his teammates are, giving him plenty of attempts at goal to add to his tally. The next best is Hynes ($19) who finished 2nd on the tally in 2025.
Walker is the value man for this investment. Isaako has his positives, and he will likely miss out on representative selection, ensuring that he is featuring in majority of Dolphins matches. Walker could be an Origin bolter, and you do have a risk with his injuries taking him on in this market. Therefore, you should keep your stake low for this bet.
Sam Walker
$7.50 (0.5 units)
NRL 2026 Top Try Scorer Betting: Predictions, Odds, and Best Bets
Last year saw Nawaqnitawase finish on top with 24 tries from 23 matches. He is the favourite ($7) and rightly so given his ability to find the try line. He will be aided by playing in a strong, attacking team. Of the players who scored 12+ tries last season, Alamoti ($19) and Johnston ($9) had the best strike rates. Alamoti must earn his spot on the edge for the Panthers but is talented enough to leave his mark. Johnston is closing in on the all-time try scoring record but is a risk for season given his recent history with injuries.
The forgotten player in all of this is ‘the Hammer’. Tabuai-Fidow finished 2nd last year with 22 tries and appeared to gain confidence after a strong Origin campaign. The form of his team at the back end of the season hurt his chances of scoring more tries but assuming that is rectified, the Dolphins fullback should be towards the top end of the list in season 2026 and offers plenty of value.
Tabuai-Fidow
$15 (0.5 units)
