2023 NRL Round 8 Betting Predictions
The Anzac Day round starts with a blockbuster in Sydney as South Sydney battle Penrith on Thursday night footy.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (5th) vs Penrith Panthers (2nd)
The Rabbitohs are back in form after two massive wins over the Fins (36-14) and Dogs (50-16). But this clash against the Panthers elite defence will be a true test of their improvement in attack. Koloamatangi is also out with an injury and that hurts their forward pack.
The Panthers outlasted the Knights in golden point as Nathan Cleary nailed a game-winning field goal. They've now won 3 games on the trot and their defence will be the key against Souths. Penrith are allowing just 13 points per game. Liam Martin is out with injury again so their forward pack will need to re-adjust.
This is usually a tough battle between these two sides and Thursday's clash should be no different. Ultimately, the Round 2 meeting totalled just 26 points so I do like the Under. Penrith are giving up just 13 points per game and they've shown that they can handle Souths attack in a 5-game winning streak over them.
Stadium Record
South Sydney are 15-4 at this venue since 2021. Penrith are 8-1 in their last 9.
Head to Head Record
The Panthers are 11-2 against the Rabbitohs since 2018 and beat them in Round 2, 16-10.
Best Bet
Parramatta Eels (12th) vs Brisbane Broncos (1st)
The Eels cruised to victory last Sunday as they beat the Dogs 30-4. They're coming off 2 easy wins over teams at the bottom of the table so this matchup against Brisbane will be a lot tougher. They do get Hodgson back at hooker.
The Broncos found their attack in the second half of a big win over the Titans in the QLD derby last week. They scored 33 pts in the second half as the likes of Walsh dominated. They now get Oates back on the wing and should enjoy another favourable matchup.
There's rain predicted for Darwin on Friday which should make this a low-scoring grind. The Under also has an excellent 7-1 record when the Eels travel to this venue.
Stadium Record
Parramatta are 1-1 at this venue. Brisbane lost 46-6 in their only game at this venue in 2021.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Eels hold a 7-3 record against the Broncos.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (15th) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (6th)
The Dogs seem to be back to their old ways as they've given up 80 points in their last 2 games. But injuries have made it tough. They've now lost Kiraz and Averillo has a knee issue. So their backline stocks are taking a massive hit at the moment.
The Sharks returned from the bye with a massive 22-12 win over the Roosters. After giving up 32 pts against the Warriors, their defence showed much improvement by keeping the Roosters to just 12 pts.
Injuries have hurt the Dogs depth and I don't see them getting close to a strong Cronulla unit. The Sharks are also 9-2 against the Dogs and kept them to 0 points last season.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. Cronulla holds the same record over their last 10.
Head to Head Record
The Sharks are 6-2 against the Bulldogs since 2018.
Best Bet
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks -14.5 = $1.90
North Queensland Cowboys (16th) vs Newcastle Knights (11th)
The Cowboys poor start to 2023 continued on the weekend as they fell to their 3rd straight defeat. After just 1 win in their last 6 games, they'll need to find some winning momentum against the Knights, which won't be easy. Losing Taumalolo to injury won't help either.
The Knights gave the Panthers a scare last week but ultimately, fell short by a point in the 15-14 result. However, they're playing good footy at the moment and get Ponga back into the lineup for this crucial clash.
Newcastle almost beat the Panthers last week and are the form team coming into this matchup. The trip to North QLD hasn't been tough for opposing sides in 2023 so the Knights can cause an upset, especially with Ponga back.
Stadium Record
North Queensland are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Since 2021, Newcastle have a 0-2 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Cowboys are 4-3 against the Knights.
Best Bet
Newcastle Knights +2.5 = $1.85
Dolphins (8th) vs Gold Coast Titans (10th)
The Dolphins are coming off a 36-14 loss against Souths and they would be disappointed after leading 14-6 at the break. They'll go into this clash as favourites despite their 1-3 record in their last 4. They seem to get up for the QLD derbies no matter their form and Kaufusi slots into their back-row after a long suspension.
The Titans will be looking to bounce back after a 43-26 loss against the Broncos. They're wildly inconsistent after a 3-3 start to 2023 so it's hard to trust them at the moment.
Sunday afternoon footy should present good conditions for a high-scoring QLD derby. Both sides are giving up plenty of points and that should see the Over salute.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 1-2 at this venue. Gold Coast are 2-3 at this venue since 2021.
Head to Head Record
This is the first meeting in the NRL.
Best Bet
Wests Tigers (17th) vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (4th)
The Tigers are back from the bye and will be eager to get their first win of the season. However, an ACL injury to the unlucky Adam Doueihi is another blow in what has been an already tough start to 2023.
The Sea Eagles showed a great response after a 44-12 loss against the Panthers with a gritty 18-8 victory over the Storm. They're now massive favourites against the Tigers and if the DCE/Turbo come to play, this could get ugly for Wests.
Last season's meeting at this venue was a 30-4 Manly victory and this should be a similar result. Wests have a woeful record at this venue and have now lost Doueihi to injury. If Manly turns up, they can easily put up 30+ points.
Stadium Record
Wests are 0-5 in their last 5 games at this venue. Manly are 4-1 in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Sea Eagles are 4-1 in the last 5.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles -10.5
Sydney Roosters (9th) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (13th)
The Roosters are looking to bounce back on Anzac Day after 2 straight defeats against the Storm and Sharks. Their attack is simply off at the moment and as a result, they've dropped Sam Walker. However, they do get Crichton and Tupouniua back into the lineup.
The Dragons have lost back-to-back games by close margins so they'll be looking to keep up with the Roosters for the 80 minutes. They'll take confidence into this matchup after beating the Roosters 14-12 last Anzac Day. But it's hard to trust their form at the moment.
Last year's Anzac Day clash saw a 14-12 scoreline so I like the Under this season as well. The Roosters attack is struggling and hopefully, the Dragons defence can come to play.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. St. George are yet to play at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Roosters are 4-1 against the Dragons in the last 5.
Best Bet
Melbourne Storm (7th) vs New Zealand Warriors (3rd)
The Storm's 3-game winning streak ended in Manly last week as they were shut down by the Sea Eagles in the 18-8 result. However, they love playing on Anzac Day, highlighted by a 70-10 victory last season. They'll also be boosted by the return of Meaney at fullback, Munster back in the halves and Asofa-Solomona is back.
The Warriors are one of the surprises of 2023 thus far and come off a nice 22-14 win over the Cowboys in NZ. They've now won 4 of their last 5 and head into Anzac Day with a lot of confidence. After last year's 70-10 humiliation, it feels like this improved Warriors team could cause an upset this time.
While the Storm are the Warriors bogey side, this is arguably one of their best chances to finally break through. Shaun Johnson is in great form and I can see them getting within 2 tries.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 6-4 in their last 10 games at AAMI Park. New Zealand are 3-9 in Melbourne in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Storm have a dominant 13-0 record against NZ and haven't lost against them since 2015.
Best Bet
