2023 NRL Round 7 Betting Predictions
Round 7 begins on Thursday night footy as the Dolphins look for another upset over South Sydney at Suncorp.
Dolphins (4th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (10th)
The Dolphins successfully ended their 2-game losing streak with a huge upset over the Cowboys in North QLD. The Hammer dominated his former side with 2 tries in the 32-22 result. They will be underdogs against Souths but they've shown so far, that doesn't always matter.
The Rabbitohs finally showed some spark in attack as they piled on 50 pts against the Dogs on Good Friday. Latrell Mitchell celebrated 150 games with a hat trick and they now get Arrow/Johnson back into the side this week.
The Dolphins are 5-1 ATS and Wayne Bennett should have them fired up against his former side.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 1-1 at Suncorp. South Sydney are 5-4 at this venue since 2021.
Head to Head Record
These two sides are yet to play in the NRL.
Best Bet
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (11th) vs Sydney Roosters (7th)
The Sharks are back from the bye and they'll be eager to get back on the park after a disappointing collapse against the Sharks. They led 20-0 at one stage but got run down in the 32-30 result. So that will be a focus against the Roosters.
The Roosters were poor against the Storm in Melbourne as they lost 28-8. Their attack struggled without James Tedesco but the good news is, he's back for this clash.
Tedesco's return should get the Roosters attack back in order and the Sharks are 7-1 against the Over so look for a high-scoring battle.
Stadium Record
Since 2021, Cronulla have a 9-4 record at this venue. Sydney are looking for a 5th straight win in Cronulla.
Head to Head Record
The Roosters have won 7 straight against the Sharks.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (9th) vs Melbourne Storm (3rd)
The Sea Eagles are out of form at the moment and come off a 44-12 defeat against the Panthers. With Tommy Turbo struggling with a back issue, the Sea Eagles attack just hasn't been the same.
The Storm are back to their best after 3 straight wins. Their defence has been elite in their last 2 as they've kept the Rabbitohs and Roosters to just 18 total pts. They will miss Meaney at the back with an injury but Munster is a perfect replacement.
Melbourne's defence should be the key in this matchup being fairly low scoring. The Under is also 5-0 in their last 5 night games and Turbo's back issues will likely hurt Manly's scoring ability.
Stadium Record
Manly are 4-4 in their last 8 at home. Melbourne has won 6 of their last 8 at Brooky.
Head to Head Record
The Storm are 7-3 against the Sea Eagles since 2018.
Best Bet
New Zealand Warriors (5th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (15th)
The Warriors fell short against the Knights on Sunday in the 34-24 result and that ended a 3-game winning streak. They need to figure out their slow starts but the return of Tohu Harris will help their forward pack.
The Cowboys sluggish start to 2023 continued on Friday night as they lost to the injury-riddled Dolphins. They now head to NZ with a tough clash against the Warriors, a team they lost to a few weeks ago at home.
The odds are close in this one but the Warriors are tough to beat at Mt Smart. They also defeated the struggling Cowboys a few weeks ago.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Since 2012, the Cowboys are 2-3 at Mt Smart.
Head to Head Record
The Warriors are 6-3 against the Cowboys since 2018 and beat them 26-12 a few weeks ago.
Best Bet
Newcastle Knights (8th) vs Penrith Panthers (2nd)
The Knights are into the top 8 after 2 wins and a draw in their last 3. However, this will be a tougher challenge against the in-form Panthers and losing Brailey to an ACL doesn't help their cause.
The Panthers attack is back to its best after 2 crushing wins. They've scored 44 pts against Manly and 53 pts against Canberra. Their defence has also been impressive as they've allowed just 12.8 pts per game in 2023.
The Over is 10-2 in Newcastle and it's hard to see the Knights defence stopping the Panthers juggernaut either.
Stadium Record
Newcastle are 3-7 in their last 10 games at this venue. Penrith are looking for a 6th straight win at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Panthers are 4-0 (1 draw) against the Knights in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Titans (6th) vs Brisbane Broncos (1st)
The Titans come off a great home victory over the Dragons in the 20-18 result. They've been hard to predict in 2023 but they always seem to get up for this rivalry matchup.
The Broncos come off their first loss of the season after going down to the Raiders 20-14. So they'll be fired up to respond against the Titans on the GC.
Gold Coast usually perform well against Brisbane at home and get them at a good time after they lost against the Raiders. The home team is also 5-0 ATS in this rivalry.
Stadium Record
Gold Coast are 13-12 at this venue since 2021. Brisbane are 6-2 on the Gold Coast since 2015.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Titans hold a 5-4 record against the Broncos.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Titans +10.5 = $1.85
Canberra Raiders (16th) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (12th)
The Raiders picked up their best win of the season as they upset the undefeated Broncos in Brisbane last week. The key against the Dragons will be backing up that performance with another defensive display. The return of Wighton and Tapine also helps them.
The Dragons head to Canberra on the back of a close 20-18 loss on the Gold Coast. They've now lost 3 of their last 4 so they'll need to improve in this one.
Sunday afternoon footy should be conducive for a high-scoring affair and the Over is 4-1 in the Dragons last 5.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 10-9 at this venue since 2021. St. George has lost 3 straight in Canberra since 2017.
Head to Head Record
The Raiders are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings since 2019.
Best Bet
Parramatta Eels (14th) vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (13th)
The Eels outlasted the Tigers on Easter Monday for their 2nd win of the season. They get another favourable matchup against a Dogs side that just gave up 50 pts and the likes of Moses will be liking their chances of doing the same.
The Dogs were poor defensively against Souths on Good Friday in the 50-16 loss. To make matters worse, Josh Addo-Carr is out for a while and that hurts their scoring ability.
The Under is 10-0 when the Eels are the home side and hopefully the Dogs bring their defence after last week's woeful display.
Stadium Record
Since 2021, Parramatta have a 10-4 record at this venue. Canterbury are 2-3 at this venue since 2021.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Eels hold a 7-3 record.
Best Bet
