2024 NRL Round 22 Betting Predictions
Here's a preview of all the NRL Round 22 action, starting with the Tigers and Cowboys on Thursday night footy.
Wests Tigers (17th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (6th)
The Tigers are struggling to avoid their third wooden spoon in a row, and things won't get any easier this Thursday when the powerful Cowboys come to Leichhardt Oval. Despite the challenges, the Tigers are introducing young talent as they aim to finish the season strong and build momentum for 2025. They've had some success at Leichhardt, winning three of their last four games there.
The Cowboys jumped from eighth to sixth with their win over the Sharks, making it four victories in their last five games. However, injuries to Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter dampened the win a bit, though the return of Heilum Luki from a hamstring injury will help. The Cowboys have only won once in their last 10 games at Leichhardt.
The Over is trending in this matchup, it's 5-0 and I think it will get up again.
Stadium Record
Wests are 4-6 in their last 10 games at this venue. North Queensland are 1-3 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the head to head is squared at 5-5.
Best Bet
New Zealand Warriors (12th) vs Parramatta Eels (16th)
Despite their struggles in 2024, the Warriors are still just three points out of the top eight with five games left before a bye in the final round. They really need a win against the struggling Eels, especially since they have tough away games against the Dolphins and Sea Eagles coming up. Getting star playmaker Shaun Johnson back from an Achilles injury and having Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad return are huge boosts for the Warriors. They’ve been solid at Go Media Stadium, winning three of their last four games there.
The Eels are on a six-game losing streak and are dealing with an injury crisis that interim coach Trent Barrett says is unprecedented in his experience. They fought hard at home last Friday, trailing by only six at halftime against the Storm, but two quick tries sealed their fate. However, the Eels have had a good record against the Warriors, winning four of their last five matchups.
The Warriors are hard to trust so despite the Eels struggles, I think they can keep it close.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Parramatta are 1-4 in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Eels are 4-1 against the Warriors in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Dolphins (8th) vs Sydney Roosters (3rd)
The Dolphins will be kicking themselves after blowing a 14-point lead and losing to the Titans on Sunday, which dropped them to the edge of the top eight. With a tough month ahead against the Roosters, Warriors, Bulldogs, and Storm, Wayne Bennett's team needs to shake off that disappointment and focus on their big goal: making the finals in just their second season. Despite being in eighth place, their recent form, with losses in four of their last five matches, leaves them vulnerable to the chasing pack.
The Roosters nearly threw away two competition points against Manly, with Luke Keary’s intercept passes allowing DCE and his team to close a 34-18 gap to just 34-30 with four minutes left at Allianz Stadium. However, they managed to hold on for their 12th win of the season, moving up to third place on the ladder. With star centre Joseph Manu back from a hand injury, the Roosters are in a good position to secure the vital double chance, especially with four of their remaining games against teams currently outside the top eight.
Looking for a high scoring clash in Perth on Friday night. The Over is 6-2 in the Roosters last 8 games.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 1-0 at this venue since 2018. Sydney haven't played here since 1995.
Head to Head Record
The head to head is tied at 1-1.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Titans (14th) vs Brisbane Broncos (13th)
The Titans will be feeling confident about their chances of upsetting the Broncos again at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday. They’ve already pulled off a surprise win over the Broncos earlier this season, beating them 36-34 at Suncorp Stadium when the Titans were in 16th place. The Titans have been in good form lately, winning four of their last seven games, and they’ve won three of their last four matches at Cbus Super Stadium.
It’s been a rough patch for the Broncos, who have managed just one win in their last six games and dropped to 13th on the ladder. Despite this, they've had a strong record at Cbus Super Stadium, winning seven of their last nine games there. Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has also been a standout against the Titans, scoring four tries in five games against them.
The Titans are coming into this derby as the form guide and I think they can cover, especially after beating them at Suncorp this year.
Stadium Record
Gold Coast are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Brisbane are 3-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Titans are 7-5 against the Broncos since 2018.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Titans +4.5 = $1.85
Melbourne Storm (1st) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (10th)
The Melbourne Storm are looking to cement their spot at the top of the NRL ladder when they host a desperate Dragons team on Saturday night. Currently four points clear of Penrith, the Storm are aiming for their first minor premiership since 2021. Despite not being at their best last weekend, they still managed a comfortable 32-14 win over Parramatta, with five-eighth Cameron Munster making a successful return from a groin injury.
The Dragons are eager to bounce back after a heavy loss to the Panthers last Sunday, which dropped them to 10th place. They’re still level on points with the eighth-placed Dolphins, so their finals hopes remain alive. However, the Dragons haven't won in Melbourne since 1999.
The Over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings and the Storm should be dangerous with their spine back.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 9-1 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 5 meetings, the Storm hold a 4-1 record against the Dragons.
Best Bet
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (15th)
The Cronulla Sharks are keen to make a winning return to PointsBet Stadium as they fight to stay in the top four when they take on South Sydney on Saturday. After falling to fourth place with a 30-22 loss to North Queensland in Townsville last weekend, the Sharks are aiming for both home and away wins against the Rabbitohs.
South Sydney is also under pressure to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Their chances took a hit last Sunday with a 32-12 loss to the Raiders, which was made worse by Alex Johnston suffering a season-ending Achilles injury early in the game. The Rabbitohs dropped to 15th on the ladder but are still just four points outside the top eight. They’ll need a strong run of wins in the final six rounds to make it to the finals.
Souths should be desperate to win and the Sharks are a bit out of form.
Stadium Record
Cronulla are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. South Sydney are 1-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Rabbitohs are 5-4 against the Sharks.
Best Bet
South Sydney Rabbitohs +10.5 = $1.95
Penrith Panthers (2nd) vs Newcastle Knights (11th)
After handling an early challenge from the Dolphins in Round 20, the Penrith Panthers seem to be back in top form, having outclassed the Dragons in their last match. Now, they're setting their sights on the Knights. The Panthers have had a strong record against Newcastle, winning 13 of their last 15 games against them.
The Knights are coming into this game off the bye, but their last performance was a tough one, with a 30-14 loss to the Broncos at home. They also suffered a significant injury blow, with Bradman Best, a star in Blues Game Three, going down with a hamstring injury. The Knights haven’t won at BlueBet Stadium since 2018.
The Panthers should be tough defensively, the Under is also 6-1 when these two sides meet at BlueBet Stadium.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 7-3 in their last 10 games at this venue. Newcastle are 1-3 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Panthers hold an 8-1 (1 draw) record.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (5th) vs Canberra Raiders (9th)
The Bulldogs really showed their attacking flair in a big 41-16 win over the Broncos, earning the nickname 'the Entertainers.' They’ve been unbeatable at home this season, winning all eight of their games at their home ground.
The Raiders cruised to a solid win over the Rabbitohs in their last match, with Jordan Rapana scoring twice and halfback Jamal Fogarty putting in another strong performance in his second game back from a biceps injury. The Raiders have also got a great record against the Bulldogs, winning their last nine matchups.
The Under is 4-0 in the Raiders last 4 games and hopefully, they turn this into a grind.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue. Since 2018, Canberra have a 1-0 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Raiders are 9-0 against the Bulldogs since 2018.
Best Bet
