2024 NRL Round 8 Betting Predictions
Get ready for some ANZAC Day footy action as we kick off Round 8 with a huge triple-header. It all starts in New Zealand as the Warriors host the struggling Titans. Here's our betting predictions for every game of Round 8.
New Zealand Warriors (10th) vs Gold Coast Titans (17th)
The Warriors are still licking their wounds after copping a surprise defeat from the Dragons. But, they're fired up and raring to go, especially since they're hosting an ANZAC Day showdown for the first time since 2015. Now, the Warriors have been a bit of a mixed bag so far this season. Three wins, three losses and a draw – they're still trying to find their groove after that emotional charge to the preliminary final last year. Unfortunately, they'll be missing Kurt Capewell for the big game after he copped a nasty throat injury against the Dragons.
The Titans might be sitting at the bottom of the ladder with a 0-6 record, but they've been putting up a fair effort over the last few weeks. Coach Des Hasler has been singing their praises, reckoning they've shown real guts in those close losses to Canberra and Manly. But even with all that effort, they've still come up empty-handed. Now, defensively, the Titans have been leaking points like no tomorrow, conceding an average of 30 points per game this season. They'll need to tighten up big time if they wanna stand a chance against a Warriors outfit led by Shaun Johnson.
Gold Coast haven't shown much defensive effort on the road this season and I think the Warriors will be fired up to pile on the points for their first home game on Anzac Day since 2015.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Gold Coast are 1-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Titans are 3-2 against the Warriors in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
New Zealand Warriors -12.5 = $1.95
St. George Illawarra Dragons (9th) vs Sydney Roosters (11th)
The Dragons are riding high after smashing the Warriors 30-12 on home turf. They're starting to hit their stride in 2024 and it's got them feeling as proud as punch. With a solid 4-3 record so far, the Dragons are looking like a whole new team under the guidance of coach Shane Flanagan. They're fitter, tougher and more determined than ever, and you can bet your bottom dollar they'll be firing on all cylinders come Anzac day. These blokes always seem to find extra gear when it comes to this important national day clash and history's on their side too. They've got the edge over the Roosters, leading the head-to-head battle 12-9 since they first squared off in 2002.
Now, onto the Roosters. Trent Robinson's mob might be sitting a bit lower on the ladder in the 11th spot, but don't go writing them off just yet. Sure, they've been a bit up and down this season, struggling to string together consecutive wins. But with their annual ANZAC Day showdown on the horizon, they're hoping it'll be just the spark they need to kickstart a winning streak. They've got a couple of key players returning to the lineup just in time for the big game. Dom Young's back from suspension and Sam Walker's cleared to play after a stint on the sidelines with concussion.
The Over is 5-1 in this Anzac Day matchup and the trend should continue on Thursday.
Stadium Record
St. George have a 0-1 record at this venue. In their last 5 games at the Allianz Stadium, Sydney holds a 3-2 record.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Roosters are 8-2 against the Dragons.
Best Bet
Melbourne Storm (2nd) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (16th)
Now, the Storm have been the kings of the ANZAC Day clash, winning a whopping 10 outta 13 games since this tradition kicked off back in 2009. They're dead set on keeping that winning streak alive against the Rabbitohs. The Storm have been on fire lately and sit 2nd on the ladder. Coach Craig Bellamy's sticking with the same lineup, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona getting the nod to start and Christian Welch holding tight on the bench. And get this, the Storm are gunning for their 14th straight win at AAMI Park! Now, that's what I call domination.
Despite a tough start to the season, the Rabbitohs aren't gonna back down without a fight! They gave it their all in their last game against the Sharks and after a bye week to regroup, they're ready to rumble. Coach Jason Demetriou's still at the helm and there's some good news on the team front. Hooker Damien Cook's back in the starting lineup, shifting Peter Mamouzelos to the bench. Plus, Maroons legend Jai Arrow's set to make his comeback from a pesky shoulder injury and skipper Cameron Murray's passed all the concussion checks and is good to go. But, the Rabbitohs haven't had much luck down in Melbourne, losing all 18 games they've played there.
The Under is 4-0 when these two sides meet and the Storm have been tough to score against at AAMI Park this season, highlighted by an 18-12 scoreline last week.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 13-0 in their last 13 games at this venue. South Sydney are 0-4 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Storm are 8-3 against the Rabbitohs.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (5th) vs Parramatta Eels (14th)
The Sea Eagles have been on fire at 4 Pines Park, notching up a whopping 107 points in their last three games there. Last time around, the Sea Eagles were left with a sour taste in their mouths after copping a dodgy loss at CommBank Stadium in Round 3. Manly shot out to a cracking 14-0 lead, but then the Eels clawed their way back into the game. So revenge will be on the Sea Eagles minds come Friday night.
They've had the wood over the Sea Eagles, winning four outta their last five clashes. But, they're coming off a real shocker of a loss to the Dolphins up in Darwin. You can bet coach Brad Arthur's given them a fair dinkum spray after that one! With Mitch Moses still out for another month with a foot injury and Daejarn Asi likely sidelined with a head knock, the Eels are gonna have to shuffle the deck again in the halves to try and get a morale-boosting win.
No doubt about it, the Eels were woeful last week and I think they'll struggle to stop the Sea Eagles as well in what should be a high-scoring clash.
Stadium Record
Manly are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Since 2018, Parramatta have a 1-4 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Eels are 4-1 against the Sea Eagles in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Wests Tigers (13th) vs Brisbane Broncos (6th)
The Tigers should be desperate to end their losing streak. Three losses on the trot ain't doing them any favours. Now, they're up against a Broncos side that's as confident as ever after smashing the Raiders. Benji Marshall's side was disappointing against the Panthers last week, making a total of 15 errors. They're gonna need some composure and consistency to square up with the big boys. However, the Tigers have come out on top in four outta their last five clashes against the Broncos so that should give them some confidence.
With Reece Walsh on fire and Jock Madden stepping up big time at halfback, the Broncos outplayed the Raiders fair and square last week. But now, they're off to Campbelltown after enjoying a couple of home games. They're dead keen to snag their first road victory after copping losses in Las Vegas, Penrith, and Melbourne. The Broncos have won their last seven games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium so they'll want to make it eight in a row, no doubt about it.
Wests are 7-0 against the Under at this venue and do have a good record against the Broncos. So hopefully, they bring their A game in defence.
Stadium Record
Wests are 1-9 in their last 10 games at this venue. Brisbane are 1-0 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Tigers hold a 4-1 record against the Broncos.
Best Bet
North Queensland Cowboys (8th) vs Penrith Panthers (4th)
Well, the Cowboys copped a real shocker against the Sharks. Todd Payten's mob need to shake off that setback and come back with a vengeance against the reigning champs, Penrith. Now, the Cowboys might be sitting pretty inside the top eight with a 4-3 record, but let's face it, their defence has been woeful. They've coughed up a whopping 129 points in their last four games.
On the flip side, the Panthers have been going from strength to strength. They're building their success on a rock-solid defence, only letting in 15 points per game this season. Even without their star halfback Nathan Cleary, they've managed to get two wins outta three games. Brad Schneider's been doing a top-notch job steering the ship, backed by a mighty pack that's set to dominate the middle of the field in Townsville. Cleary's back from a hammy injury and fullback Dylan Edwards is good to go too, despite copping a knock against the Tigers. The Panthers have had the wood over the Cowboys lately, winning five outta their last seven clashes.
Cleary is back for the Panthers and the Over has saluted in the Cowboys last 5 games so I think this will be a high-scoring affair up in North QLD.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, North Queensland hold an 8-2 record. Penrith are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Panthers have won 6 games against the Cowboys.
Best Bet
Dolphins (3rd) vs Newcastle Knights (15th)
Despite copping injuries left, right and centre, the Dolphins pulled off a huge win against the Eels in Round 7. Now, the Dolphins might've been missing a few big names, including their coach Wayne Bennett, but they didn't let that slow them down. After a bit of a sluggish start, they turned on the heat and gave Parramatta a right thrashing. Their forward pack was on fire,, laying down a solid foundation for a top-notch performance. They're leading the NRL for average points scored in 2024 and that will be the key against the struggling Knights.
It was a different story for the Knights. They couldn't match the Bulldogs' energy and copped their fifth loss of the season in Sydney. To make matters worse, they lost their star fullback Kalyn Ponga to a foot injury, putting him out of action for months. The Knights haven't had much luck without Ponga. They've only won three outta their last 10 games without him. So they need to find something to turn it around.
Both sides are struggling with key injuries but the Dolphins are coming off a 44 pt haul and the Knights are 0-4 away from Newcastle.
Stadium Record
In their last 5 games at the Suncorp Stadium, the Dolphins hold a 2-3 record. Newcastle are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The head to head is squared at 1-1.
Best Bet
Canberra Raiders (7th) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (1st)
The Raiders have been absolute legends at GIO Stadium lately, winning five out of their last six games there. And check this out, they've knocked over the Sharks in their last four matchups in Canberra. Coach Ricky Stuart's got some tricks up his sleeve, reckon he'll give young gun Kaeo Weekes a crack in the halves to shake things up. Last week, the Raiders copped a double whammy up in Brissie. Not only did they cop a flogging from the Broncos 34-10, but their halfback Jamal Fogarty copped a bicep injury. But hey, Stuart's gonna hit a massive milestone with 500 NRL games as coach so hopefully his Raiders can play well for him.
The Sharks have been smashing it, scoring a whopping 112 points in their last three games. They're flying high after demolishing the Cowboys 42-6. They've got some big guns coming back from injury too. Sione Katoa's back after his suspension and Daniel Atkinson's teaming up with Nicho Hynes in the halves. Keep your eyes peeled for Sharks winger Ronaldo Muiltalo, he's bagged nine tries in 10 games against the Raiders.
Always a tough battle between these two teams and I expect nothing less on Sunday. Ultimately, the Raiders are 5-0 against the Sharks at home and should be able to keep the margin within a converted try.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. In their last 5 games in Canberra, Cronulla holds a 1-4 record.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Raiders hold an 8-2 record against the Sharks.
Best Bet
