NRL Round 25 Preview – Who Will Take The Minor Premiership?

With the final round of the season upon us we find ourselves in an interesting situation.

Four teams, two points and one title. Who will win?

Lets start by looking at the draw along with some insights for this week and then we’ll tell you where your team can finish at the end of the round.

THURSDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm

After consecutive loses to the Roosters, Broncos and Raiders, the Rabbitohs are back at home to try and gain some momentum going into the finals. The Tigers had their finals hopes dashed last week with the Broncos and Warriors both winning, however, they can gain some satisfaction by doing the double over the Rabbitohs after defeating them 22-6 in Round 19. They will also be buoyed by the re-signing of club heroes Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

Insights:

• South Sydney have won four of their last five home matches by a margin of 1-12 points.
• Nine of the last ten matches at ANZ Stadium have been won by the home team.
• Each of South Sydney’s last five Thursday night matches have gone OVER the total match points line.
• The Tigers have covered the line in eight of their last nine matches as underdogs following a win.

Tip: Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $3.10     Multi: Rabbitohs 1-12 + Over 40.5 total match points @ $7.25

FRIDAY

Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm (AEST)

The Raiders should be full of confidence heading to New Zealand to face the Warriors as they are looking for three consecutive victories. After defeating two of the market leaders in the Roosters and the Rabbitohs, the Raiders will be looking to go four from six against the Warriors and finish the season in fine form. However, the Warriors will also be full of confidence after a strong victory against the Panthers and will have a point to prove heading into the finals.

Insights:

• The Warriors have won five of their last six matches as favourites against the Raiders.
• The Warriors have won six of their last eight night matches at Mt Smart Stadium.
• Five of the Warriors last six home matches against Canberra have gone Over the total match points line.
• Blake Austin has scored a try in each of the Raiders’ last two matches in New Zealand

Tip: Warriors 13+ @ $3    Multi: Warriors 1-12 + Over 42.5 total match points @ $4.75

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park, 7.55pm

The Storm only has one thing to do if they want to win the minor premiership and that is… win! If they can do so they will make it three consecutive premierships. The Panthers look to have history against them here as they haven’t beaten Melbourne since 2013 and haven’t won in Melbourne since 2005.

Insights:

• Melbourne have won each of their last five matches against Penrith by a margin of 13+ points.
• Each of Penrith’s last six Friday away matches have gone OVER the total match points line.
• Penrith has failed to cover the line in five of their last six away matches.
• Melbourne has covered the line in each of its last four Friday night matches at AAMI Park.

Tip: Storm 13+ @ $3.75     Multi: Storm 13+ + Addo-Carr anytime try-scorer @ $4.75

SATURDAY

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

The Dragons will be looking to breath fire after an embarrassing loss to the Bulldogs last week. It was reported that the senior players group were disappointed in a number of their younger team mates failing to take in the gravity of the loss which led to a heated exchange between James Graham and Matt Dufty. A win here could show fans that they are back on track and ready to play finals football. The Knights are back at home and will take confidence out of this season after three consecutive seasons as ‘wooden spooners’.

Insights:

• The Dragons have won six of their last seven matches against the Knights.
• Newcastle has covered the line in five of their last six Saturday matches as underdogs.
• Twelve of the Dragons’ last 15 Saturday away matches have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• Tariq Sims has scored a try in each of his last two appearances against the knights.

Tip: Dragons 1-12 @ $3     Multi: Dragons 1-12 + Tariq Sims anytime try-scorer @ $13

Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

It will be the end of an era for the Cowboys with Jonathan Thurston set to retire after this game. The future immortal was impressive in his last home game last week and will surely replicate it here. The Titans almost caused the upset of round against the Storm last week when keeping them scoreless until half-time before falling 10-8.

Insights:

• The cowboys have won each of their last six encounters with the Titans.
• Nine of Gold Coast’s last 10 night matches have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• Gold Coast has lost seven consecutive Saturday night matches.

Tip: Cowboys 13+ @ $3     Multi: Cowboys 13+ + Over 44.5 total match points @ $4

Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm

After a disappointing performance last week the Eels will finish the season as ‘wooden spooners’ and with this game looking to be another tough test, the fans look likely to walk away from this season very disappointed. The Roosters have a possible premiership to play for if they can win here and the Storm lose against the Panthers.

Insights:

• The Roosters have won six consecutive night matches at ANZ Stadium.
• The Eels have covered the line in four consecutive home matches against the Roosters.
• Nine of the Roosters last 12 Saturday night matches have been decided by a margin of 1 to 6 points.

Tip: Roosters 13+ @ $1.91     Multi: Roosters 13+ + Latrell Mitchell anytime try-scorer @ $2.62

SUNDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium, 2pm

The Bulldogs are looking for three successive wins to finish the 2018 season on a positive note, while the Sharks have the chance to secure a spot in the all important top four if they can put a controversial week behind them and get the job done at Homebush.

Insights:

• The Sharks have won four of their last five matches against the Bulldogs.
• The Sharks have a 69.2% win record as favourites.
• Clashes at ANZ Stadium average 36.3 total match points

Tip: Sharks 1-12  @ $3.10     Multi: Sharks 1-12 + Over 42.5 total match points @ $7

Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium, 4.10pm

Wayne Bennett’s Broncos are galloping towards the finals and look to be hitting peak form after defeating the Rabbitohs and Roosters in recent weeks to firm as a genuine title threat. The Sea Eagles are on the other end of the scale, narrowly escaping a wooden spoon.

Insights:

• The last 5 encounters is 3-2 in favour of the Broncos.
• Both teams average over 43 total match points.
• Clashes at Suncorp Stadium average 45.2 total match points.

Tip: Broncos 13+ @ $2.10     Multi: Broncos 13+ + Over 44.5 total match points @ $3.40

With only four points between eight teams there is so much to play for in the last round of the season.

Here’s where your team can finish:

Storm: Best 1st / Worst 4th

Roosters: Best 1st / Worst 8th

Rabbitohs: Best 1st / Worst 8th

Sharks: Best 1st / Worst 8th

Panthers:  Best 2nd / Worst 8th

Dragons: Best 2nd / Worst 8th

Broncos: Best 2nd / Worst 8th

Warriors: Best 2nd / Worst 8th