NRL 2025 Round 21 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Round 20 saw a top ten further establish itself on the NRL ladder, with the Dragons’ heartbreaking loss sending them three games out of the top eight and making it very likely that our finalists will come from that group of ten teams. The Roosters fell to 10th with a disappointing loss to the Sharks, who leapfrogged them into 8th, while further up the ladder the top four remained two games clear of the chasing pack – which is led by the in-form Panthers and Broncos. The majority of those finals contenders face lowly opposition this weekend, but a slip-up from any of them could prove costly in the race for finals positions. On this page, our resident rugby expert at Australianbettingsites has previewed and provided NRL tips for all eight games set to take place this weekend.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 24th of July
• Kick off: 7.50pm AEST
• Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Sydney Roosters Odds	Melbourne Storm Odds
	$2.45	$1.55
	$2.75	$1.45
	$2.62	$1.51

Match Analysis

The Roosters have had a decent season given their off-season departures, but last weekend’s loss to the Sharks was a really disappointing one given its importance. With those two teams likely to be battling it out for a spot in the lower half of the top eight, that was a quintessential eight-point game and they were beaten reasonably comfortably by the home side.

The Storm had a disappointing loss of their own, the Sea Eagles doing what few other teams have done for an extended period of time and picking up two points at AAMI Park. They remain inside the top four, but that loss saw them slip outside the top two and with the Panthers and Broncos winning every week at the minute, another loss would see their spot in the top four come into question.

So it’s safe to say that there is plenty on the line for both teams. Whether past matchups actually have any impact on present ones is debatable, but when the record is as lopsided as it is between these two there is no doubt both teams are aware of it. The Storm have won 11 of the past 12 clashes against the Roosters, and while they’ve not typically been as comprehensive in Sydney as in Melbourne and they will be without Cameron Munster, they should be able to get the chocolates here.

Expert Tip

Storm to win by 1-12 @ $3.00 with PlayUp

The Storm should win, but with Munster out they could be challenged.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 46.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365
• Storm/Storm half-time/full-time double @ $2.10 with PlayUp

• Date: Friday, 25th of July
• Kick off: 6.00pm AEST
• Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	North Queensland Cowboys Odds	St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds
	$1.58	$2.40
	$1.56	$2.45
	$1.58	$2.44

Match Analysis

The Cowboys’ tumble down the ladder continued last weekend, with a sixth loss in their past seven games sending them to 13th with a 6-1-11 record and the worst points difference in the league. Their effort against the Dolphins was uninspiring to say the least, their opponents opening up a 34-6 lead by early in the second half before the game meandered to the finish line.

The Dragons, meanwhile, began life with Valentine Holmes watching on from the sideline due to a season-ending shoulder injury in competitive fashion, going painfully close to knocking off the 2nd placed Bulldogs. But a 77th minute try to Jethro Rinakama snatched away that prospect, resigning them to a fifth loss in six games and making an already unlikely finals run more unlikely still.

These teams are both almost certainly too far back to challenge for a spot in the eight, but while the loser will really have their hopes snuffed out, the winner – particularly if it’s the Dragons – will keep their very slim hopes alive. Neither has been winning much at all lately, but the Dragons are consistently competitive and were really solid without Holmes last week, something which can’t be said for the Cowboys. The visitors look like good value to win this one at close to $2.50 with Aussie betting sites.

Expert Tip

Dragons to win @ $2.45 with Bet365

The Dragons have at least been competitive in their recent losses and at odds could very easily win this.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Dragons +4.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Dragons to win by 1-12 @ $3.75 with Bet365

• Date: Friday, 25th of July
• Kick off: 8.00pm AEST
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Brisbane Broncos Odds	Parramatta Eels Odds
	$1.25	$4.00
	$1.22	$4.20
	$1.25	$4.00

Match Analysis

The Broncos enjoyed a well-deserved week off in Round 20, picking up a couple of free points during the bye following five consecutive victories. What’s more, they’ll be boosted by a couple of significant returns this weekend, Payne Haas the most notable, and should really be expecting to pick up a big win against the struggling Eels.

The Eels too will be boosted by the return of Mitchell Moses, but his presence alone won’t likely be enough to turn things around. They’ve lost three games on the trot, and while admittedly they’ve had a couple of tough games in the past fortnight, back-to-back losses by 20+ points has made for relatively grim watching for Eels’ fans.

Unfortunately, they might be in for more of the same this weekend. A three-week stretch of games against the Panthers, Raiders and Broncos would test the best of teams – and they have the Storm to come next week, too – but the Eels haven’t been able to remotely challenge the first two of them, and that trend will likely continue this weekend. Points difference may well be relevant for the Broncos as they jostle for a potential spot in the top four, and this is a great opportunity to give theirs a major boost.

Expert Tip

Broncos -13.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

The Broncos should be licking their lips at this one fresh off the bye.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Broncos -22.5 @ $3.00 with Bet365
• Over 47.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• Kick off: 3.00pm AEST
• Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	New Zealand Warriors Odds	Gold Coast Titans Odds
	$1.34	$3.25
	$1.36	$3.20
	$1.33	$3.40

Match Analysis

The Warriors didn’t have it all their own way against the Knights last weekend and were made to come from behind to earn the two points, but come from behind they did to score a last-minute, game-winning try and maintain a two-game gap over their pursuers in the top four. That made it two on the trot, and they have an excellent opportunity to extend that to three back on home soil against the worst team in the league.

The Titans remain a game clear on the bottom of the ladder after a fourth consecutive defeat last weekend, though they did go agonisingly close to a rare win against the Tigers. But despite scoring more tries than their opposition and leading by four points with five minutes to go, a second try to Jerai Skelton tied the scores at 20, before Adam Douehi made amends for his missed conversion with a game-winning field goal in the 79th minute.

Though they were solid enough in that game, this week will pose a much sterner test, and one the Titans won’t likely have the capacity to pass. The Warriors are the weakest team in the top four and are no guarantee to remain there given the form of the Panthers and Broncos, but they should be able to remain two games clear with an easy win over the Titans.

Expert Tip

Warriors -9.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Warriors are a tough team to beat at home and should pick up the two points comfortably against the Titans.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Warriors 13+ @ $2.15 with Bet365
• Over 48.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet

• Dragons to win @ $2.45 with Bet365 – It’s always a long trip up to Townsville, but the Cowboys’ worst is as bad as anyone’s and after displaying that kind of form last week, the Dragons look like really good value as the underdog in this one.
• Broncos -13.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp – The Broncos headed into the bye in excellent form having won five on the trot, and as we know they often grow an extra leg at home. Contrast that with the form of the Eels, and this could be a big victory for the home team.
• Panthers -12.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp – The Panthers are firing on all cylinders and have taken advantage of a couple of easy matchups over the past fortnight with consecutive 20+ point wins. The Tigers have won a couple of their last three games, but despite winning last week, if they play like they did against the Titans the Panthers will make them pay.
• Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles under 43.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365 – The Bulldogs have been consistently involved in reasonably low-scoring games of late, with a huge six in a row going under the low points total set on the betting apps for this game. With plenty on the line for both teams, it would be no surprise to see both teams lock in defensively and make scoring very difficult.

Same Game Multi Tip

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• Kick off: 5.30pm AEST
• Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Penrith Panthers Odds	Wests Tigers Odds
	$1.27	$3.80
	$1.24	$4.00
	$1.26	$3.90

Match Analysis

The Panthers have won six games on the trot, and with each passing week are looking increasingly intimidating in their quest for an extraordinary fifth consecutive Premiership. After a few close wins to start this winning streak, they’ve unleashed the shackles over the past fortnight and last weekend smacked the Rabbitohs by 20 points a week after beating the Eels by 22.

The Tigers, in contrast, just keep finding themselves in nail biting finishes, but after losing most of them earlier in the season they’ve found themselves on the right side of the ledger a couple of times recently. After beating the Roosters by two points a couple of weeks ago, they came from behind to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat last weekend, and while a one-point win over the Titans at home is nothing to write home about, it did at least keep their very slim finals hopes alive.

But the powerhouse that is the Panthers is beginning to fire on all cylinders, and will be looking to snuff out those hopes this weekend. Already they’ve been looking imposing of late, and with a couple of pretty handy ins this weekend in the form of Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, they’re only going to get better. Jahream Bula may be a more-than-useful return for the Tigers, but that won’t be nearly enough to get them close to Penrith.

Expert Tip

Panthers -12.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

The Panthers are gearing up at the right time of the season and will view this as a good opportunity for another statement win.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Panthers 7+ @ $1.60 with PlayUp
• Under 46.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Date: Saturday, 26th of July
• Kick off: 7.35pm AEST
• Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds	Cronulla Sharks Odds
	$3.90	$1.26
	$4.20	$1.23
	$4.10	$1.24

Match Analysis

Things are going from bad to worse from the Rabbitohs. Their hefty defeat at the hands of the Panthers last weekend was their seventh in succession, and an already long injury list grew even longer with the additions of Peter Mamouzelas and Keaon Koloamatangi.

In contrast, it’s been a pretty rosy fortnight down in Cronulla. The Sharks have picked up a couple of pivotal wins in a row against similarly placed teams to them, backing up a win against the red-hot Dolphins with a really solid showing against the Roosters last weekend. That victory saw them jump inside the top eight, but their position there is precarious to say the least; though they’re just a game behind the Broncos in 5th, they’re also only a game ahead of the Roosters in 10th.

A win is important for both of these teams for different reasons, but the Bunnies in their current state just don’t look capable of matching it with any half-decent teams. In neutral territory up in Gosford, this is a great opportunity for the Sharks to solidify their spot inside the top eight with a fourth consecutive win, though there is some value to be had in the Rabbitohs keeping it reasonably close.

Expert Tip

Sharks to win by 1-12 @ $3.20 with PlayUp

The Sharks shouldn’t have any problems winning, but they don’t often blow teams out.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Rabbitohs +12.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Under 46.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Date: Sunday, 27th of July
• Kick off: 2.00pm AEST
• Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Canberra Raiders Odds	Newcastle Knights Odds
	$1.20	$4.60
	$1.25	$4.00
	$1.20	$4.60

Match Analysis

This is the second time in under a month that the Raiders will take on the Knights, their last matchup resulting in a tight, four-point win for the visitors down in Newcastle. Since then, Canberra have continued on their winning ways with two consecutive victories, the latest a comfortable 24-point defeat of the Eels.

The Knights’ fortnight has not been as positive, consecutive home losses to first the Storm and then the Warriors making it three in a row against top four teams. But for the second time in that three-game stretch, they very nearly picked up an upset win last weekend, only going down as the result of a last-minute try to the Warriors in a pulsating game.

Given the quality of players out through injury list, the Knights have been really gallant during a tough stretch of games, and a trip to Canberra to take on the team currently sitting on top of the ladder is probably the last thing they need. The Raiders have lost just a single game at home this season, and while plenty of those have been close, it’s easy to see them running away with this one comfortably against a Knights team deflated after a heartbreaking loss.

Expert Tip

Raiders -12.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Raiders have a habit of winning close, but they showed what they’re capable of in the second half against the Eels last weekend.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 44.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365
• Raiders over 28.5 total match points @ $1.95 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 27th of July
• Kick off: 4.05pm AEST
• Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Canterbury Bulldogs Odds	Manly Sea Eagles Odds
	$1.67	$2.20
	$1.62	$2.30
	$1.66	$2.26

Match Analysis

Round 21 concludes with probably its most significant game, with both the Bulldogs and the Sea Eagles desperate for a win to consolidate their positions inside the top four and the top eight respectively. The Bulldogs enter it on the back of an incredible fifth consecutive game decided by a single score, and for the second time in a row the were on the right side of it against a plucky Dragons’ outfit. They were far from convincing in that win, but with the Storm losing they were able to jump up a spot to 2nd.

It was the Sea Eagles doing the Bulldogs that favour against the Storm, with a really impressive performance culminating in a two-point victory at AAMI Park – probably the most difficult test in the league. That made it three wins on the trot for the Sea Eagles, who have bounced back as well as possible following their woeful 20-point loss to the Titans a month ago. But their spot in the top eight remains far from assured, and a loss here will likely see them fall to 9th.

The Bulldogs have been really tough to beat at home for a couple of seasons now, but they have not been playing their best lately while the Sea Eagles are riding a wave of really strong form. A few weeks ago this would have loomed as an easy win for the Bulldogs, but this is far from a fait accompli. I’m backing the home side to get the job done, but it would be no surprise to see this one go down to the wire.

Expert Tip

Bulldogs to win by 1-12 @ $3.10 with PlayUp

The Bulldogs deserve to be favourites, but they’ve made a habit of being in close games of late and the Sea Eagles are in cracking form.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 43.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365
• Sea Eagles/Bulldogs half-time/full-time double @ $7.50 with Bet365