2024 NRL Round 27 Betting Predictions
The last round of the NRL season is here and the top 8 won't be decided until the last game when the Knights host the Dolphins. It starts on Thursday night footy with the Storm looking to build finals form against the dejected Broncos.
Brisbane Broncos (12th) vs Melbourne Storm (1st)
The Broncos are playing for pride in the last round of the season after a disappointing season. The Dolphins smashed them 40-6 last week, which kind of summed up the Broncos season. Just a year ago, the Broncos almost beat the Panthers in the Grand Final so it's been all downhill since then. They'll give their younger players some experience in this clash.
The Storm have locked up top spot on the NRL ladder so this game doesn't matter in terms of ladder positioning. But they're still going to have a strong squad on Thursday night. After resting most of their starters in a 38-30 loss against the Cowboys, the likes of Hughes and Grant are back to form the Storm's spine, that will be the key as they march towards a potential Grand Final.
Melbourne have a strong team this week and I think this will get ugly, Storm by plenty. Brisbane is 0-9 ATS at Suncorp too.
Stadium Record
Brisbane are 3-7 in their last 10 games at this venue. Melbourne are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Storm are 9-1 against the Broncos.
Best Bet
Wests Tigers (17th) vs Parramatta Eels (16th)
The Tigers are on a nice little 2 game-winning streak and will be desperate to avoid the spoon. They've beaten the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles in back-to-back games. The squad should also be rested after having the bye last week.
The Eels ended their 3 game losing streak with a crazy 44-40 result against the Dragons in Round 26. They let in 34 pts during the second half and they have been leaking pts like no tomorrow recently. Just like the Tigers, they'll be aiming to avoid the spoon.
The battle for the spoon should be high scoring and the Eels are 4-0 against the Over.
Stadium Record
Wests are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue. Parramatta are 0-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Eels have won 3 games against the Tigers.
Best Bet
South Sydney Rabbitohs (15th) vs Sydney Roosters (3rd)
The Rabbitohs disappointing season ends on Friday night and that will be aiming to give the Roosters a challenge. However, they've lost 6 straight and will be missing the likes of Murray/Mitchell.
The Roosters top 2 hopes took a hit with a 14-12 loss against the Raiders last week. But I think their attack will get back to its best against a struggling Bunnies side. Sydney are the top scoring team in the NRL and have scored 34+ pts in 4 of their last 5 games.
Souths are 0-6 and I don't think they have the squad to compete with the Roosters.
Stadium Record
South Sydney are 4-6 in their last 10 games at this venue. Sydney are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Roosters are 4-1 against the Rabbitohs in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
St. George Illawarra Dragons (10th) vs Canberra Raiders (11th)
It's been a tough 2 weeks for St George fans after back to back defeats against the Eels and Sharks. Last week was extra disappointing as Parra had nothing to play for and scored 44 pts. The Dragons made a comeback in the 2nd half but it was all too late.
The Raiders are finishing off the season in style with wins over the Roosters 14-12 and Panthers 22-18. They probably can't make the finals, but it should give them confidence going into 2025.
Raiders form looks good and I think they can beat the struggling Dragons.
Stadium Record
St. George are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Canberra are 3-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Raiders have won 7 games against the Dragons.
Best Bet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (5th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (6th)
The Dogs 5 game winning streak came to end in Round 26 with a 34-22 loss against the Sea Eagles. But they can still get a home final if they beat the Cowboys. They'll go into favourites and have won 10 of their last 11 against them.
The Cowboys head to Sydney with a home final up for grabs. They've won their last 2, beating the under-strength Storm 38-30 and Raiders 42-4. Their away form looks very good, winning their last 5, including a win in Penrith.
The Under is 4-0 in this matchup and the Dogs defence should stand up after last week.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. North Queensland are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Cowboys are 3-2 against the Bulldogs in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Penrith Panthers (2nd) vs Gold Coast Titans (14th)
The Panthers could be playing for a top 2 spot on Saturday night so they won't be taking the Titans lightly. There's still no Cleary but they come off a 32-12 win over Souths, ending a 2 game losing streak.
The Titans are playing for pride in the last round of the season. They've lost their last 4 games and have conceded 32+ pts in all 4 games.
The Under is 7-2 in the Titans last 9 games, so hopefully their defence comes to play.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 0-0 at this venue since 2018. Gold Coast are 0-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Panthers are 7-1 against the Titans since 2018.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (7th) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4th)
The Sea Eagles have won 3 of their last 4 games so they'll be confident of beating the Sharkies. Last week, they beat the Dogs 34-22 and love playing at Brooky, winning 9 of their last 10.
The Sharks 4 game winning streak came to an end with a heartbreaking 30-28 loss against the Warriors at home last week. This is the first meeting since 2023 and the Sharks won the last clash at this venue, 20-14.
The Over is 4-1 in the Sea Eagles last 5 games and I think this will be high scoring too.
Stadium Record
Manly are 9-1 in their last 10 games at this venue. Since 2018, Cronulla have a 2-1 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Sharks have won 3 games against the Sea Eagles.
Best Bet
Newcastle Knights (9th) vs Dolphins (8th)
The Knights top 8 hopes come down to the last game of the season and they must beat the Dolphins to make the finals. Their form is excellent having won 3 of their last 4 games and scoring 34+ pts in all of those wins. They've also won the last 2 against them, including an 18-14 win at Suncorp in late April.
The Dolphins kept their top 8 chances alive with a crushing 40-6 win over the Broncos last week at Suncorp. A few team changes by the master coach was a key factor and they bounced back nicely after losing 48-6 in Melbourne. If they can upset the Knights, it will be their first finals appearance in club history.
I think this is a true 50/50 matchup so I like the chances of a high scoring affair. The Dolphins are 5-0 against the Over interstate and the last clash at this venue totalled 56 pts.
Stadium Record
Newcastle are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. The Dolphins are 1-0 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Knights hold a 2-1 record.
Best Bet
