With just 4 rounds remaining and just 5 points separating 3rd to 9th on the ladder, the NRLW competition is heating up. With excitement growing, tension rises as each team takes the field with a point to prove. Even if they are out of Finals contention, they have plenty to play for with more than pride on the line. On field action is making it hard for punters to find a clear winner and Before You Bet is here to assist with a look at what is ahead in another blockbuster round of action.
Check out our preview and NRLW tips for Round 8 below, with odds thanks to Neds!
2025 NRLW Round 8 Predictions & Tips
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders
Belmore Sports Ground – Saturday 23rd August – 12:45pm (EST)
It was a frustrating 22-6 loss for the Bulldogs on the road to the Cowboys last week as inconsistencies plagued their performance. With only 47% possession, they completed at just 69% meaning that their 9.4m per carry was nullified. They were poor defensively too, missing 36 tackles and conceding 5 line breaks. The Raiders have followed a similar pattern this season but flipped the script in their spirited 20-16 road victory over the Warriors. Given little hope, they captured their first win of the season which was assisted via ill-discipline from their opponents; they had 11 players on the field for 46 minutes. This highlights why the Raiders were successful with less possession (42%) and a poor completion rate (67%); regardless, it will go a long way to boosting this team’s confidence.
While things have not been going to plan for the home team recently, they are deserving of favouritism for this match. They are the superior team; the Raiders were lucky (and aided by playing against 11) last week and despite confidence increasing, they will be limited with what they can produce. The Bulldogs haven’t been the best attack team this year, but the Raiders will offer greater freedom in this area to easily cover the line.
Bulldogs -6.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Gold Coast Titans vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 23rd August – 3:15pm (EST)
The Titans tried hard on the road against the Sharks last week but fell just short in their 12-8 loss. Despite a poor completion rate (73%), they lead every major statistic but couldn’t transform this into more points. Even their missing tackles (17) and line breaks conceded (3) were great. The Dragons were also defeated in a gritty match, upset by the Tigers 16-12 on the road. Despite keeping their opponents scoreless in the second half, they couldn’t capitalise on their 53% possession, superior completion rate (75%) and dominance with the ball (9.4m per carry). Perhaps their 45 missed tackles was their downfall as it gave their opponents confidence in their attack.
Confidence in this game is low as these two sides are consistently inconsistent. That doesn’t appear as though it will change any time soon either. Preferably, it is a game to stay away from altogether. The loss of Southwell for the Dragons will limit their effectiveness and give the home side and edge. The Dragons are just as likely as the Titans to come out and win this game. With that in mind, the safer option appears to be having this game decided by a narrow margin, with the bet to anchor a multi across the weekends.
Either team by 10.5 points or less
$1.67 (1.5 Units)
Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters
CommBank Stadium – Saturday 26th August – 5:15pm (EST)
The Eels were comprehensively defeated 38-4 by the Broncos last week, outplayed in every area of the match. They tried hard to control the ball (80% completion rate – 8.6m per carry) but were ineffective in turning this into points. Their defensive effort was poor as they missed 44 tackles, allowed 10.2m per carry and conceded 11 line breaks. The Roosters had no such issues in their 30-14 victory over the Knights. Continuing their undefeated streak this season, the Roosters overcame an inferior share of possession (48%) and a horror completion rate (60%) to make the most of their chances and convert them into points. Unlike the Eels, they were strong defensively missing just 24 tackles, allowing only 6.7m per carry and conceding 3 line breaks. Those statistics there are why they are leading the competition.
The only possible outcome in this contest is the Roosters winning. The Eels are still dealing with the omission of key players and while the Roosters have their own challenges in this area, their depth is to be admired. When you go looking for value, the line (17.5) appears too high for a team like the Eels that can often drag opponents into a defensive struggle. To avoid that and ensure a win, the tested method of the Roosters 13+ doesn’t offer the largest return but it does provide value when you increase your stake.
Sydney Roosters 13+
$1.53 (3.5 Units)
Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos
McDonald Jones Stadium – Sunday 27th August – 11:50am (EST)
It was a frustrating 30-14 road loss for the Knights last week against the Roosters, strangled out of the match by their opponent’s rigid defence. Not without hope, the Knights could only manage 6.7m per carry and despite a 52% share of possession and 84% completion rate. Missing 31 tackles and conceding 8 line breaks also hurt their cause. The Broncos were dominant in their 38-4 victory over the Eels, asserting their dominance via controlling possession (55%) and a high completion rate (82%) which allowed them to make 10.2m per carry. On top of that, they made 11 line breaks; they had no such defensive issues missing only 24 tackles and conceding 2 line breaks. It was another statement performance by them.
The Broncos machine looks set to roll on in this contest, but the Knights are not without a chance. They will make it challenging for their opponents with rigid defence but may struggle to score the same number of points to be a winning chance. Nevertheless, this game is expected to be tight. With the Finals approaching, the Knights will want to make a statement and are a stronger team at home. They will sense an opportunity and with the Broncos still expected to be too strong, anything larger than 2-converted tries for a margin would be surprising.
Broncos 1-12
$2.50 (1 Unit)
New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks
FMG Stadium – Sunday 27th August – 1:45pm (EST)
It was an afternoon to forget last week for the Warriors as they were upset 20-16 by the Raiders at home. Impact by two players being sent off within 3 minutes of one another and spending 46 minutes with only 11 players on the field, it was a frustrating night for the home side. They tried hard though with 58% possession, a 78% completion rate and dominating most other statistics but in the end, were hampered by their lack of numbers on the field. The Sharks prevailed in a gritty contest 12-8 against the Titans at home. With an inferior share of possession (49%), they completed at 78% and made 8.3m per carry. It was hard going elsewhere though, managing just 3 line breaks; they relied on their defence (1 line break conceded and 23 missed tackles) and it against held strong.
This is an ugly contest to part ways with your money in. Best option is to avoid it altogether; the Sharks are missing some key players while the Warriors welcome some back. This indicates the odds are imbalanced and perhaps the home team should be shorter. Their performance last week cannot be taken into consideration as they were hampered by 11 players for majority of the match. If forced to select, the Warriors are the value but only with a small stake.
Warriors H2H
$2.45 (1 Unit)
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys
Leichhardt Oval – Sunday 27th August – 6:15pm (EST)
It was a spirited display from the Tigers last week as they captured their first win of the season in their 16-12 victory over the Dragons in front of their home fans. Jumping to a 16-6 HT lead, they were resilient in the second half as they defended their lead. They were gritty in overcoming an inferior share of possession (47%) and horror completion rate (61%), managing 10.2m per carry and 7 line breaks. Amazingly, they also missed 43 tackles but scrambled well. The Cowboys were too strong for the Bulldogs 22-6, performing well in front of their home fans. They were clinical in the way they managed the match, controlling possession (53%) and build pressure with their completion rate (81%), which saw them make 9.2m per carry and 7 line breaks. An improving team, they will still want to address the opportunities they can give away to their opponents (28 missed tackles and 5 line breaks) to be better moving forward.
The Tigers will benefit from their performance last week, but the Cowboys have been performing remarkably well this season. It would be a major upset for the Tigers to win this contest and more so, defend the line on offer. This game has the 5th best attack up against the 2nd worst defence and that spells trouble for the hosts. Use that judgement to your advantage and take the visitors to continue building momentum towards the Finals.
Cowboys -9.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
