2025 NRL Round 20 Betting Predictions
Round 20 of the NRL season begins at Suncorp on Thursday night footy with a QLD derby as the Dolphins host the Cowboys. Both sides need a win to keep up with the top 8 so it should be a cracker. Here is a betting preview of the NRL action this weekend.
Dolphins (10th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (12th)
Coming off a tough 24-12 loss to the Sharks at Sharks Stadium, the Dolphins are looking to bounce back. They’ve been a mixed bag this season, sitting at 8-9 overall with a 4-4 record at home and 4-5 on the road. Currently 10th on the NRL ladder, they’re on a one-game losing skid but have gone 3-2 in their last five. The Dolphins have some serious firepower, ranking 2nd in the NRL for both points and tries scored, so expect them to come out swinging.
Get ready for a showdown as the Cowboys take on the Dolphins! Sitting 12th on the NRL ladder with a 6-10 season record, the Cowboys are in a rough patch, dropping their last two games, including a tight four-point loss to the Bulldogs at North Queensland Stadium. Their form’s been shaky, with a 1-4 record in their last five games. At home, they’ve got a 3-1-5 record (1 draw), and on the road, they’re 3-5. One big issue for the Cowboys is ball handling—they’re the second-worst in the league for errors made, which could spell trouble against a Dolphins side known for piling on points.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Suncorp. North Queensland are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since 2023, the Dolphins are 3-2 against the Cowboys.
Best Bet
Both sides have some firepower back on the park and the Over is 3-0 in this QLD derby.
Same Game Multi
Herbie Farnworth crossed the line last week and has scored a try in 3 of his last 5. He also scored in the Dolphins 58-4 win over the Cowboys last month. For the Cowboys, Murray Taulagi has a 6-0 record of scoring a try in his last 6 away games.
Over 48.5 pts / Herbie Farnworth Anytime Tryscorer / Murray Taulagi Anytime Tryscorer = $5.90
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (9th) vs Sydney Roosters (8th)
The Sharks are gearing up to face the Roosters, and they’re coming in with some momentum after a solid 24-12 win over the Dolphins at Sharks Stadium. Sitting 9th on the NRL ladder with a 9-8 record, they’ve been decent this season, especially at home, where they’re 6-2. On the road, though, it’s been tougher, with a 3-6 record. They’re on a one-game winning streak, but their last five games show a 2-3 split, so consistency’s been a bit of an issue.
The Roosters are ready to rumble against the Sharks, coming off a gritty 31-24 win over the Dragons in Round 19. Sitting 8th on the NRL ladder with an even 8-8 record, they’ve been solid but not spectacular this season. They’re 4-5 at home and a slightly better 4-3 on the road. The Roosters can light up the scoreboard, ranking 5th for points scored and 4th for tries in the NRL, but they’ve got a bit of a fumble problem, sitting 5th for errors made. With a 3-2 record in their last five, they’re looking to keep the momentum going.
Stadium Record
Cronulla are 7-3 in their last 10 games at Shark Park. Sydney are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Roosters are 8-2 against the Sharks.
Best Bet
The Over is a solid 6-2 in this matchup and both sides are in good enough form to score 20+ pts each.
Penrith Panthers (6th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (16th)
The Panthers are roaring into their matchup against the Rabbitohs, and they’re on fire with a perfect 5-0 record in their last five games, including a dominant 32-10 smackdown of the Parramatta Eels in Round 19. Sitting 6th on the NRL ladder with an 8-7 season record, they’ve been a mixed bag but are hitting their stride at the right time. At home, they’re 4-4, while on the road, they’ve got a solid 4-1-3 record. Riding a five-game winning streak, the Panthers are looking like a tough team to beat once again.
The Rabbitohs are limping into their clash with the Panthers, desperate to snap a brutal six-game losing streak after getting thumped 30-12 by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale in their last outing. Sitting 16th on the NRL ladder with a 6-11 record, it’s been a rough season for the Bunnies. They’re struggling big time on offence, ranking 16th in both points and tries scored, which isn’t a great look. At home, they’re 4-5, but on the road, it’s been grim with a 2-6 record. Their last five games? A big fat 0-5. Facing a red-hot Panthers side, the Rabbitohs have their work cut out for them.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 5-5 in their last 10 games at CommBank. South Sydney are 8-2 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Panthers hold a 7-3 record against the Rabbitohs.
Best Bet
The Panthers are looking back to their best and their defence should be the difference. The Under is now 6-0 in their last 6 at home so I like their chances of keeping the total under 45.5.
Canberra Raiders (1st) vs Parramatta Eels (15th)
The Raiders are charging into their showdown with the Eels like a team on a mission, sitting pretty at the top of the NRL ladder with a cracking 14-3 record. They’re riding a seven-game winning streak, fresh off a nail-biting 28-24 victory over the Dragons at Canberra Stadium. These guys are killing it at home with a 7-1 record and aren’t too shabby on the road either, rocking a 7-2 mark. The Raiders are an offensive juggernaut, ranking 3rd in both points and tries scored, and they’ve been super tidy with the ball, sitting 16th for errors made. With a perfect 5-0 run in their last five, they’re looking unstoppable.
The Eels are gearing up to take on the high-flying Raiders, but they’re in a bit of a rut after a hefty 32-10 loss to the Panthers at Western Sydney Stadium. Sitting 15th on the NRL ladder with a 5-11 record, it’s been a tough season for Parramatta. They’re struggling on the road with a 2-6 record and haven’t fared much better at home, going 3-5. Their last five games tell a grim story at 1-4, and they’re on a two-game losing streak. The Eels are also tripping over themselves with errors, ranking 3rd in the league for mistakes, and their attack’s been lacklustre, sitting 15th for both points and tries scored.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue. Parramatta are 2-8 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Raiders hold a 3-2 record against the Eels.
Best Bet
Should be a tough matchup for the Eels in day conditions and the Over is 5-0 in the Raiders last 5 home games.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (3rd) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (11th)
The Bulldogs are ready to rumble against the Dragons, coming off a gritty 12-8 win over the Cowboys in Round 19. Sitting pretty at 3rd on the NRL ladder with a strong 12-4 record, these guys are in top form. They’ve been rock-solid at home with a 5-2 record and even better on the road, boasting a 7-2 mark. With a 3-2 record in their last five and a one-game winning streak, the Bulldogs are looking sharp.
The Dragons are gearing up to face the Bulldogs, but they’re coming in a bit bruised after a 31-24 loss to the Roosters at Jubilee Stadium. Sitting 11th on the NRL ladder with a 6-10 record, it’s been a rocky season for the Red V. They’re 4-4 at home but have struggled on the road with a 2-6 record. With a 1-4 mark in their last five games and a two-game losing streak, the Dragons are desperate to turn things around. Taking on a high-flying Bulldogs side, they’ve got their work cut out for them.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 5-5 in their last 10 games at Accor Stadium. St. George are 2-8 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs are 4-1 against the Dragons in the last 5.
Best Bet
The Dragons were decent against the Roosters last week and they have a good record against top 8 sides, covering the handicap in their last 7.
St. George Illawarra Dragons +8.5 = $1.90
Melbourne Storm (2nd) vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (7th)
The Storm are absolutely buzzing as they gear up to take on the Sea Eagles, riding a red-hot six-game winning streak after smashing the Knights 32-14 in Round 19. Sitting 2nd on the NRL ladder with a cracking 12-4 record, these guys are a force to be reckoned with. They’re nearly untouchable at home with a 7-1 record and solid on the road at 5-3. The Storm are an offensive juggernaut, topping the NRL in both points and tries scored. With a perfect 5-0 run in their last five, they’re looking like a nightmare for any opponent.
The Sea Eagles are soaring into their clash with the Storm, fresh off a cracking 30-12 win over the Rabbitohs at Brookvale, giving them a two-game winning streak. Sitting 7th on the NRL ladder with an even 8-8 record, Manly’s been solid at home with a 6-3 record but a bit shaky on the road at 2-5. Their last five games show a decent 3-2 run, so they’re bringing some momentum. Facing a red-hot Storm side, though, this is gonna be a tough test for the Eagles.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 10-0 in their last 10 games at AAMI Park. Manly are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Storm hold a 7-3 record against the Sea Eagles.
Best Bet
Should be tough scoring conditions in the unpredictable Melbourne winter and the Under is 10-1 in the Sea Eagles last 10.
Wests Tigers (14th) vs Gold Coast Titans (17th)
The Tigers are limping into their matchup with the Titans after a rough 34-14 loss to the Warriors at Mount Smart. Sitting 14th on the NRL ladder with a 6-11 record, it’s been a tough season for the Wests crew. They’ve struggled at home with a 2-6 record, though they’ve been a bit better on the road at 4-5. With a 1-4 mark in their last five games and a one-game losing streak, the Tigers are desperate for a spark. Their attack has been a weak point, ranking 14th in both points and tries scored.
The Titans are rolling into their clash with the Tigers on a rough patch, having dropped their last three games, including a 12-point defeat to the Broncos at Robina Stadium. Stuck at 17th on the NRL ladder with a 4-12 record, it’s been a grim season for the Gold Coast boys. They’re struggling both at home and away, with identical 2-6 records at each. Their last five games haven’t been much better, going 1-4. Facing a Tigers side that’s also been battling, this could be a golden chance for the Titans to snap their losing streak.
Stadium Record
Wests are 5-5 in their last 10 games at Leichhardt. Gold Coast are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Titans are 4-1 against the Tigers in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
This should be a great chance for the Titans to get a win. They have a nice 4-1 ATS record in Sydney against the Tigers as well.
Gold Coast Titans +5.5 = $1.90
Newcastle Knights (13th) vs New Zealand Warriors (4th)
The Knights are gearing up to take on the Warriors, but they’re coming off a rough 32-14 loss to the Storm at home in Newcastle, marking their second straight defeat. Sitting 13th on the NRL ladder with a 6-11 record, it’s been a tough season for the Novocastrians. They’re 2-7 at home, which is a real sore spot, though they’ve been more competitive on the road with a 4-4 record. Their last five games show a 2-3 split, so they’re not completely out of it. But the Knights have some serious issues, leading the league in errors made and ranking dead last (17th) in both points and tries scored.
The Warriors are charging into their showdown with the Knights, fresh off a dominant 34-14 smackdown of the Tigers at Mount Smart, giving them a one-game winning streak. Sitting pretty at 4th on the NRL ladder with an 11-5 record, these guys are looking strong. They’ve been rock-solid at home with a 6-2 record and aren’t too shabby on the road either, posting a 5-3 mark. Their last five games show a solid 3-2 run, and they’re keeping things tight with the ball, ranking 17th for errors made in the NRL.
Stadium Record
Newcastle are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue. New Zealand are 4-7 at this venue since 2010.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the head to head is squared at 5-5.
Best Bet
To finish off the round, the Under has an impressive 9-2 record when these two sides meet.
