Magic Round is here and we have an epic weekend ahead of us in the NRL. It kicks off with a Friday night doubleheader at Suncorp as the Sharks start things off against the struggling Eels.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (7th) vs Parramatta Eels (16th)
The Sharks head into their clash with the Eels sitting in 7th spot on the ladder, right in the finals mix. They've had a pretty even season so far, holding a 4-4 record overall. In their last five games, they've managed two wins but dropped three, and they're currently coming off a loss. That defeat came at Leichhardt Oval where they went down to the Tigers in a low-scoring affair. At home, they've been solid with two wins from three, but they've found it tougher on the road, also grabbing two wins but dropping three. One of their biggest strengths is scoring tries , they're ranked 5th in the comp for that , but they've also had issues with errors, sitting 2nd in the league for mistakes made. They'll be looking to bounce back and clean things up this week against the Eels.
The Eels come into this game against the Sharks sitting way down in 16th spot on the ladder, with just two wins from their seven games so far. They've picked up a couple of wins in their last five, including a confidence-boosting 38-22 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 7. That result snapped a losing streak and gives them something to build on. At home, their form's been patchy with just one win from four, and they've had similar struggles on the road. Offensively, the Eels have had a tough time getting points on the board , they're ranked 15th in the NRL for both total points and tries scored. They'll need to lift in attack if they want to take it to the Sharks this week.
Stadium Record
Cronulla are 4-6 in their last 10 games at Suncorp. Parramatta are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Eels are 3-2 against the Sharks in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
The Sharks should be fired up after last week's loss and the Eels don't have a great record in Magic round. As such, the Over is 5-0 in the Eels last 5 at Suncorp and I think the opener will be high scoring.
Same Game Multi
The Sharks are 5-0 ATS as a favourite against the Eels and I think they'll get the job done. Sharks winger Samuel Stonestreet has scored 4 tries in his last 3 games and he should be able to get opportunities on the wing.
Over 46.5 / Sharks -5.5 / Stonestreet Anytime Tryscorer = $4.40
Sydney Roosters (13th) vs Dolphins (12th)
The Roosters head into their clash with the Dolphins sitting 13th on the ladder and looking to build some momentum after a big 46-18 win over the Dragons last round. That result snapped a bit of a rough patch and gave them their third win of the season. Over their last five games, they've managed two wins but dropped three, so consistency has been an issue. They've actually been a bit better on the road this season with two wins from four away games, while their home form has been shaky with just one win from four. They'll be hoping to ride the confidence from last week's strong performance into this one.
The Dolphins sit just ahead of the Roosters in 12th spot on the ladder, with a 3-5 record so far this season. They've won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Raiders in Canberra. While they've been solid enough at home with two wins from four, their away form hasn't been as strong, managing just one win from four on the road. They'll be looking to bounce back this week and keep themselves in the finals hunt, but they'll need to lift against a Roosters side coming off a big win.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 8-8 at this venue since 2018. The Dolphins are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Suncorp.
Head to Head Record
The Roosters are 2-1 against the Dolphins.
Best Bet
Tough game to pick in the head to head but I like the attack for both sides. The Roosters come 46 pts and the Dolphins scored 42 pts against the Storm at Suncorp a few weeks ago.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (11th) vs Newcastle Knights (15th)
The Rabbitohs come into this clash with the Knights sitting 11th on the ladder and needing a turnaround after three straight losses. Their most recent defeat was a tough one against the Storm, going down 24-16 in Melbourne. Despite a decent 4-4 record overall, their attack has been an issue , they're ranked dead last for points scored and second-last for tries, which tells the story. At home, they've been solid with three wins from four, but away from home, it's been a different story with just one win from four attempts. They'll be keen to bounce back this week and get back on track before slipping further down the ladder.
The Knights are doing it tough right now, sitting 15th on the ladder and coming into this one on a five-game losing streak. Their last outing saw them go down 26-12 to the Warriors at Rugby League Park, and things haven't been clicking for them in attack , they're ranked last in the comp for both points and tries scored. On top of that, they lead the league in errors, which hasn't helped their cause. With just two wins from seven games this season and only one win each at home and away, they'll need a serious lift if they're going to get past the Rabbitohs this week.
Stadium Record
South Sydney are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Suncorp. Newcastle are 6-4 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Rabbitohs are 3-2 against the Knights in the last 5.
Best Bet
I like the Rabbitohs in this matchup but the Under looks a safer bet. The Knights have looked like the worst attacking side in the league and I think Souths defence will keep them in check too.
New Zealand Warriors (4th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (6th)
The Warriors are flying high at the moment, sitting 4th on the ladder and riding a two-game winning streak. They've won four of their last five and are coming off a solid 26-12 victory over the Knights at home. Speaking of home games, they've been unbeatable there so far this season with a perfect 4-0 record. Away from home, it's been a bit tougher with one win from three, but overall they've put together a strong 5-2 start to the year. One of their big strengths has been their discipline , they're ranked 15th in the NRL for errors made, which shows how tidy they've been with the ball. They'll be looking to keep that momentum going against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys are starting to hit their stride, climbing to 6th on the ladder and coming into this clash with the Warriors on a four-game winning streak. They've won four of their last five and absolutely dominated the Titans last round with a huge 50-18 win at home. Their season record now sits at 4-3, and they've been solid both home and away , grabbing two wins from three at home and splitting their four away games evenly. With their attack firing and confidence building, they'll be keen to keep the streak alive, even against a Warriors side that's been tough to beat.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue. North Queensland are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Suncorp.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Warriors hold an 8-2 record against the Cowboys.
Best Bet
Should be points in this top 8 matchup. The Cowboys scored 50 pts last week and the Over is 4-1 in the Warriors last 5 games on Australian soil.
Wests Tigers (9th) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (10th)
The Tigers are sitting just outside the top eight in 9th spot and looking to build some consistency after a mixed run of form. They've gone 2-3 over their last five and are coming off a win over the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, holding them scoreless in a gritty performance. Their season record is evenly split at 4-4, but there's a clear home-and-away contrast , they've been much better on the road with three wins from four, while struggling a bit at home with just one win from four starts. They'll be hoping to keep that away form rolling when they take on the Dragons.
The Dragons head into their clash with the Tigers sitting 10th on the ladder and looking to bounce back after a heavy 46-18 loss to the Roosters last round. They've had a decent run over their last five games with three wins, but that latest result would've stung. Their season record stands at 3-4, and while they've been okay at home with two wins from four, they've only managed one win from three on the road. One area that's been letting them down is their ball control , they rank 4th in the comp for most errors. They'll need to tighten that up if they want to come away with the points this week.
Stadium Record
Wests are 3-7 in their last 10 games at this venue. St. George are 5-8 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the head to head is tied at 6-6.
Best Bet
Another 50/50 call in the head to head and while I think the Tigers can get the win, I prefer the Under. It's 6-1 in the Dragons last 7 interstate games and I'm sure they'll be working on their defence at training this week after a woeful display on Anzac Day.
Gold Coast Titans (14th) vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (1st)
The Titans are struggling at the moment, sitting 14th on the ladder with a 2-5 record for the season. They're on a four-game losing streak and are coming off a heavy 50-18 loss to the Cowboys. Despite their poor run of form, they've been decent when it comes to ball control, ranking 16th in the NRL for errors made, which is a positive. However, their overall form has been shaky, with just one win from four home games and one win from four away. They'll need to turn things around quickly if they want to start climbing the ladder and break their losing streak.
The Bulldogs are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder in 1st place with a solid 6-1 record for the season. They've been in great form, winning four of their last five games, although they did suffer a tough 42-18 loss to the Broncos last round. One of their biggest strengths has been their attacking game , they're ranked 5th in the NRL for both points and tries scored, showing just how dangerous they can be with the ball in hand. At home, they've been perfect so far with three wins from three, and they've also been solid on the road with three wins and just one loss. Despite their strong start, they'll be eager to bounce back from last week's loss and keep their place at the top.
Stadium Record
Gold Coast are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. Canterbury are 1-9 in their last 10 games at Suncorp.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Bulldogs have won 4 games against the Titans.
Best Bet
The Doggies should bounce back against a Titans side that leaks points like no tomorrow. But if the Titans come to play, this should be high scoring and the Dogs are 4-0 against the Over at Suncorp.
Penrith Panthers (17th) vs Brisbane Broncos (5th)
The Panthers are struggling this season, sitting near the bottom of the ladder in 17th place with a 2-6 record. They're coming off a tough 16-point loss to the Sea Eagles at home, which adds to their frustrations. Over their last five games, they've only managed one win, and they've now lost their last game, leaving them on a losing streak. Both at home and on the road, their record is identical , just one win from four games. One of their biggest issues has been making too many errors, as they rank 2nd in the NRL for most mistakes. If they're going to turn things around, they'll need to clean up their game and find a way to be more consistent.
The Broncos are in strong form, sitting 5th on the ladder with a 5-3 record this season. They've been a powerhouse in attack, ranking 2nd in the NRL for both points and tries scored, making them one of the most dangerous teams going forward. They've won three of their last five games, with their most recent result being a dominant 42-18 victory over the Bulldogs at Lang Park. At home, they've been near perfect with three wins from four games, and they've been solid on the road as well, with two wins. With a winning streak on the line, the Broncos will be looking to keep the momentum going against the Panthers.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 8-2 in their last 10 games at this venue. Brisbane are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Panthers are 7-3 against the Broncos.
Best Bet
The Panthers are definitely beatable this season but the Broncos can be inconsistent. So I like the low scoring trend in this matchup, the Under is 6-0 when they play each other at Suncorp.
Melbourne Storm (2nd) vs Canberra Raiders (3rd)
The Storm are looking strong, sitting 2nd on the ladder with a 5-2 record for the season. They're coming off a solid 24-16 win over the Rabbitohs at home, which helped extend their winning streak to one. The Storm are dominant in attack, sitting 1st in the NRL for both points and tries scored, showing just how lethal they can be going forward. At home, they've been perfect, winning all four of their games, while their away form has been a bit mixed with one win and two losses. Despite their attacking strengths, they've struggled with errors, ranking 4th in the NRL for mistakes. Still, with their current form and firepower, they'll be tough to beat when they face the Raiders.
The Raiders are in fantastic form, sitting 3rd on the ladder with a 6-2 record for the season. They've been firing on all cylinders, with one of the best attacking setup in the competition, ranking 3rd in both points and tries scored. They've also been great at avoiding mistakes, ranking 14th in the NRL for errors made. Over their last five games, they've won four and are currently riding a four-game winning streak, although they did take a tough loss to the Dolphins in their most recent match. The Raiders have been perfect at home, winning all four of their games, but they've been solid away too with two wins. With their strong form and impressive attack, they'll be looking to challenge the Storm for a top spot.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 18-6 at this venue since 2018. Canberra are 5-7 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Storm hold a 7-3 record.
Best Bet
The last game of Magic Round should be a thrilling contest with two of the best attacking teams on show. Which should see a high scoring affair and the Storm are 4-0 against the Over at Suncorp.
