2024 NRL Round 18 Betting Predictions
Another massive weekend of NRL action in Round 18 and it starts with a must-win clash between the Eels and Bunnies in Sydney on Thursday night footy.
Parramatta Eels (16th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (14th)
The Eels are hoping to break a four-game losing streak this Thursday night when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium to kick off Round 18. The Eels haven't beaten the Rabbitohs at this stadium since 2019 and have lost seven of their last eight games against them. On a positive note, Eels winger Blaize Talagi has been on fire, scoring at least one try in his last six NRL games.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are on a roll with a four-game winning streak that started with a big 42-26 win over the Eels in Round 12. They're coming into this match fresh off a bye, with Origin stars Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray back in action as they aim for their fifth straight win.
The Over is 5-1 when these two sides meet and I think it will be high scoring again.
Stadium Record
Parramatta are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. In their last 10 games at the CommBank Stadium, South Sydney hold a 6-4 record.
Head to Head Record
The Rabbitohs are 4-1 against the Eels in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (3rd) vs Gold Coast Titans (15th)
The Sharks are hoping for a change of luck when they host the Titans in Coffs Harbour after two close losses. They barely lost to the Dolphins by two points in Round 16 and then fell to the Bulldogs last Friday due to a Matt Burton field goal. Now sitting fourth on the ladder after losing four of their last five games, Cronulla is looking to recapture the form that got them seven straight wins. On the bright side, the Sharks have a strong track record against the Titans, winning their last nine matchups.
The Titans, on the other hand, are coming off a Round 17 bye and are ready to keep up the momentum from their massive 66-6 win over the Warriors in Round 16. AJ Brimson is back from a groin injury and will be playing at five-eighth, replacing Jayden Campbell. However, the Titans have struggled on the road this season, winning just two of their seven away games.
The Titans hold an 8-2 Unders record in their last 10 night games and come off allowing just 6 pts.
Stadium Record
Since 2018, Cronulla have a 1-0 record at this venue. Gold Coast are 0-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Sharks are 9-0 against the Titans.
Best Bet
Brisbane Broncos (10th) vs Penrith Panthers (2nd)
Coach Walters was proud of his team's defensive effort despite their 32-16 loss to the Warriors on Saturday, but he's excited to welcome back Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, and Patrick Carrigan for the big game. The Broncos haven't beaten the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium since 2019 and have lost three of their last four games there.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are also getting a boost with the return of four Origin stars as they aim to close the gap with the ladder leaders. Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai, and Liam Martin are all back, and Isaah Yeo returns to the starting lineup after coming off the bench post-Origin Two. The Panthers have had the upper hand against the Broncos, winning seven of their last eight matchups.
Also like the Under here, it's 5-0 when these two sides face off.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at the Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane hold a 6-4 record. Penrith are 9-1 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Panthers have won 4 games against the Broncos.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (5th) vs New Zealand Warriors (13th)
The Bulldogs' impressive 2024 comeback continued with a nail-biting win over the Sharks, and they're set to take on another of last year's finalists when they host the Warriors in Round 18. Cameron Ciraldo's team already has more wins than they managed in all of 2023, thanks to their solid defence—only the Panthers have conceded fewer points through 17 rounds. Plus, the Bulldogs have won their last six games at Accor Stadium.
The Warriors, on the other hand, found their groove with a 32-16 win over the Broncos, scoring six tries. With Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita leading the way, they've put their embarrassing 60-point loss to the Titans behind them. Despite sitting three points outside the top eight with eight games to go, the Warriors have a good track record against the Bulldogs, winning their last six matchups.
The Doggies are pushing for finals and it's hard to trust the inconsistent Warriors, especially away from NZ.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 7-3 in their last 10 games at this venue. New Zealand are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Warriors are 5-0 against the Bulldogs in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs -5.5 = $1.85
Wests Tigers (17th) vs Melbourne Storm (1st)
The Wests Tigers are coming off a rough Round 17 where they gave up 40 points to the Sydney Roosters, ending their two-game winning streak and dropping to last place on the ladder. However, they have a solid record against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval, winning eight out of thirteen games, and they’ve won their last three games at this venue.
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm are looking to widen their lead at the top of the NRL ladder as they head to Sydney to face the Tigers. Craig Bellamy's team secured their fourth straight victory with a 16-6 win over the Canberra Raiders last Saturday. The Storm have dominated their recent matchups against the Tigers, winning the last six. Storm centre Nick Meaney has been particularly effective, scoring six tries in his past seven games against the Tigers.
The Over is 6-1 with the Storm and the Tigers defence will probably struggle to keep up.
Stadium Record
Wests are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. Melbourne are 0-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Storm are 6-2 against the Tigers.
Best Bet
North Queensland Cowboys (7th) vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (9th)
The Cowboys jumped to seventh on the ladder after Sunday's surprise victory over the Panthers. Even without their Origin stars Val Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai, and Tom Dearden, and with Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue sin-binned, the Cowboys pulled off one of their best wins of the season. However, they've only won three of their last eight games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic in Townsville on Saturday night as he returns from his latest injury and looks to lead Manly to the finals. Trbojevic hasn't played since injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 10, and the Sea Eagles have won two and lost three in his absence. Manly has a great record in North Queensland, remaining undefeated in Townsville since 2016.
Manly have a great record in North QLD and have Tommy Turbo back, they can get an upset.
Stadium Record
North Queensland are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. Manly are 3-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Sea Eagles are 3-2 against the Cowboys in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles = $2.10
Sydney Roosters (4th) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (8th)
The Roosters have been on fire since their Anzac Day win, scoring 80 more points than any other team this year. Trent Robinson's squad is feeling confident after a solid 40-6 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday night, with halfback Sam Walker leading the charge for their star players. The Roosters have also dominated their recent matchups against the Dragons, winning 10 of their last 12 games.
The Dragons are looking for redemption when they return to Allianz Stadium to face the Roosters in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster. They were demolished 60-18 in their Round 8 Anzac Day clash, crashing back to earth after a strong start to the season. The Dragons have struggled at the new Allianz Stadium, conceding 87 points in just two games.
The Over is trending in this rivalry, it's 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. St. George are 0-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Roosters hold a 8-2 record.
Best Bet
Canberra Raiders (12th) vs Newcastle Knights (11th)
The Raiders put up a strong fight against top-of-the-table Melbourne but ultimately lost 16-6 at AAMI Park. After starting the season with three straight home wins, the Raiders have dropped their last three games at GIO Stadium and are eager to impress their fans again. They’ve conceded 118 points in these three consecutive home losses.
On the other hand, the Knights, led by a red-hot Bradman Best and impressive debutant Will Pryce, managed to hold off a determined Eels team in front of their home crowd. The Knights have struggled in Canberra, winning just two of their last seven matches there, but they did secure a solid 28-6 victory in Round 22 last year. However, they have allowed at least 24 points in each of their last five games.
Canberra are struggling at home this season and I think the Knights take them down too.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Newcastle are 2-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Knights are 6-4 against the Raiders.
Best Bet
