NRL 2025 Round 26 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Just two rounds remain in the NRL season, but there is still plenty of water to go under the bridge in that time. There remains at least three and arguably four teams fighting for the final spot in the top four, while a little further down, the Roosters have the Dolphins and to a lesser extent the Sea Eagles right on their hammer in the fight for 8th spot. Round 26 begins with a big game between the Bulldogs and the Panthers, while the following day the Storm host the Roosters in another pivotal clash. Below, you can check out the NRL tips for the week from our rugby league expert at Australianbettingsites for every game over the weekend.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 28st of August
• Kick off: 7.50pm AEST
• Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Bulldogs Odds	Panthers Odds
	$1.08	$8.00
	$1.08	$8.00
	$1.08	$8.00

Match Analysis

Though the Bulldogs and the Panthers both harbour Premiership aspirations, they each come into this clash on the back of two consecutive losses and desperate to avoid a third. The Bulldogs were far from disgraced against the Storm in Melbourne last weekend, but a 12-0 half-time deficit was always going to be difficult to overcome and despite a strong finish, they went down by six points. They remain two games clear inside the top four, but with the Panthers this weekend followed by the Sharks next, it’s not unfeasible that they end up losing their last four games of the season to potentially lose their hold on the double chance.

The Panthers, meanwhile, looked like a near-certainty to snatch a top four spot a couple of weeks ago, and even jumped into 4th for a week. But an extremely tough stretch of games has brought them undone. A four-point loss to the Storm a fortnight ago was followed by a four-point loss to the Raiders last weekend, making this their third consecutive game against a top-three team. Their spot in the finals remains assured, but their top four hopes are all but gone.

This could have been a brilliant game, but unfortunately those losses for the Panthers have seen coach Ivan Cleary raise the white flag when it comes to the top four, resulting in the resting of the bulk of his first team this weekend. Stranger things have happened in sport, but it is hard to see the second-string Panthers beating the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Expert Tip

Panthers +20.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

This should be a comfortable win for the Bulldogs, but 20.5 is a big, big line to cover.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 44.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet
• Bulldogs to win by 1-12 @ $4.00 with Bet365

• Date: Friday, 29th of August
• Kick off: 6.00pm AEST
• Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Warriors Odds	Eels Odds
	$1.57	$2.40
	$1.54	$2.50
	$1.56	$2.44

Match Analysis

Despite having a spot in the top four there for the taking, the Warriors are not given all that much credibility in the Premiership race by betting sites, and the odds for this game are an extension of that. Currently one-game clear in 4th, the Warriors can lock up 4th spot with two wins in their last two games after winning their last two, but even on their home turf they’re only relatively slight favourites against the Eels.

Granted, the Eels have been a lot better over recent weeks since the return of Mitch Moses, and last weekend put in a really impressive showing in beating the Roosters 30-10. That took their record to 3-2 over the past five weeks, so they certainly won’t just roll over in Auckland this Friday night.

The Warriors have lost to lesser teams than the Eels in New Zealand recently, namely the Titans around a month ago, but with so much on the line this is a game they simply can’t afford to drop. Their average points difference means that if they lose either of their next two games, they’ll fall out of the top four if either the Broncos or Sharks win both of theirs, so with victory a must and against a team whose season ended long ago, the home side can surely get the points.

Expert Tip

Warriors -4.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

At home, with a top four spot on the line – surely the Warriors come out swinging.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Warriors 7+ @ $2.12 with PlayUp
• Over 43.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Date: Friday, 29th of August
• Kick off: 8.00pm AEST
• Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Storm Odds	Roosters Odds
	$1.67	$2.20
	$1.68	$2.20
	$1.68	$2.22

Match Analysis

The Storm and the Roosters have had no shortage of pivotal contests over the past decade, and this is another one. Perhaps that’s less the case for the Storm – they are, after all, already locked into the top two – but they are in the midst of an ideal warm-up for finals having secured five wins in a row, the last three against very good teams, and will be eager for that to continue – and to give themselves an outside chance at snatching top spot.

What’s on the line for the Roosters is a little more tangible. They had an opportunity to all but sew up 8th spot against the Eels last week after three wins on the trot, but put in a limp effort to go down by 20 points. They remain in the box seat in the hunt for the last finals spot, but the Dolphins and Sea Eagles are both just a game in arrears, and with the former of those boasting a superior points difference, one loss could spell disaster.

With so much on the line the visitors will come out swinging, and given how they’ve played of late – last week being a notable exception – can give the Storm a serious challenge. But just two visitors have left AAMI Park with a win this year for a reason. The Storm are Premiership favourites and grow an extra leg at home, and should be able to hold off a plucky Roosters outfit in an entertaining game.

Expert Tip

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

The Storm rarely lose at home, but the Roosters can give them a scare.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 44.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet
• Storm to win by 1-6 @ $5.20 with EliteBet

• Date: Saturday, 30th of August
• Kick off: 3.00pm AEST
• Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Raiders Odds	Tigers Odds
	$1.25	$4.00
	$1.25	$4.00
	$1.24	$4.10

Match Analysis

The list of those doubting the Raiders’ Premiership legitimacy has gradually dwindled over the course of the year, and a few of the remaining sceptics would have had their minds changed last weekend. They fought back from a 16-6 deficit against the four-time reigning Premiers to tie things up after 80 minutes, and a Kaeo Weekes try in the 83rd minute gave them a win which will potentially secure top spot.

The Tigers, in contrast, suffered a really disappointing defeat at the hands of the Cowboys, giving up 18 points in 6 minutes late in the second half to go from a 28-16 lead to a 34-28 loss. Had they won that they would have held onto their very slim finals ambitions, but with the loss they are officially out of the race for what would have been an unlikely finals berth.

The Raiders are on top of the ladder for a reason and have been absolutely dominant at home of late, so it would have been hard to see the Tigers winning this regardless of last week’s result. But the disappointment of their season officially ending after a late-game collapse makes this an even tougher task for the visitors, and it would be no surprise to see the Raiders giving them a bit of a bath.

Expert Tip

Raiders -12.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Raiders have won six in a row at home by an average of nearly 20 points.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 50.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365
• Raiders over 30.5 total match points @ $1.85 with Bet365

• Broncos -5.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – The Broncos are making a strong charge for a top four spot in recent weeks, with a number of big wins over average teams helping put them right in the frame for the double chance. Their last three wins have come by double-figure margins and the two against teams of the Cowboys’ ilk have been by 46 and 34 points, so the 5.5-point line looks like cannon fodder for them.
• Sharks -17.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – This is a whole lot of points to make up, but the Knights don’t appear to have the motivation nor ability to compete with any half-decent sides of late. They’ve only got within this line once in their last six games and haven’t got near it in the last four, and with the Sharks fresh off a 32-point win and needing every point they can get, they should be pumping the visitors on Sunday.
• Dolphins vs Titans over 52.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet - The Dolphins have been involved in plenty of very high-scoring games of late, both as a result of their own scoring and their defensive shortcomings. Their last three games have yielded an average of nearly 77 points, while going back even further, eight of their last 11 have seen at least 52 points scored. Three of the last four Titans games, meanwhile, have seen 50+ points scored, so expect plenty of scoring in the last game of Round 26. Many bookies have this line set at 53 or 54 points, but some new betting sites like EliteBet have been a little more generous for over-bettors, putting it at 52.5.

Same Game Multi Tip

• Date: Saturday, 30th of August
• Kick off: 5.30pm AEST
• Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Dragons Odds	Eagles Odds
	$1.90	$1.90
	$1.87	$1.95
	$1.89	$1.95

Match Analysis

The Dragons have been a consistently competitive team this year, but with their finals hopes officially dashed they appeared to have little left to give last weekend. In probably their most listless performance of the season, they went down 40-0 against the Rabbitohs, failing to give a yelp in an uninspiring Thursday night affair.

In complete contrast, the Sea Eagles enjoyed their best performance in over a month by a country mile, snapping a four-game losing streak with an enthralling win over the Dolphins to keep their slim finals hopes alive. The Dolphins were powerless to stop the Manly onslaught, with ten tries – including nine in succession – leading them to an incredible 58-30 win.

The Sea Eagles remain a game and points difference out of the eight with two games less, so they would need everything to go right to play finals. But with the Roosters facing a tough game against the Storm, a victory here will very possibly see Manly draw level on points entering the final round of the season. With plenty on the line and coming off a strong performance, they look like good value at even money on the betting apps here.

Expert Tip

Sea Eagles to win @ $1.95 with EliteBet

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Sea Eagles 7+ @ $2.70 with PlayUp
• Over 48.5 total match points @ $1.90 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 30th of August
• Kick off: 7.35pm AEST
• Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Cowboys Odds	Broncos Odds
	$2.55	$1.52
	$2.60	$1.50
	$2.66	$1.49

Match Analysis

It had been nearly four months since the Cowboys last won back-to-back games, but six minutes of dominance late in last week’s game against the Tigers saw them fight back from a 12-point deficit to secure their second consecutive victory. This week’s clash, however, will be a much more difficult challenge.

The Broncos are gearing up at the right time of the season, last Sunday’s 46-12 thumping of the Knights their third win in four games. With the Panthers losing a couple in a row, they now find themselves next in line to snatch a top four spot if the Warriors slip up, with their strong points difference meaning if they can win both of their last two and the Warriors lose one, the Broncos will finish 4th.

Their talent has shone through on the offensive end of late, with an incredible 144 points coming in those three victors in the past month – though granted they scored just 2 points in the solitary loss, against the Storm. The Cowboys have been solid over the past fortnight, but they have still conceded more points than every team in the league but the Titans, and will likely concede another big one this weekend.

Expert Tip

Broncos -5.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Broncos are in good form and beating average teams with ease of late.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Broncos 13+ @ $2.55 with Bet365
• Over 48.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 31st of August
• Kick off: 2.00pm AEST
• Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Sharks Odds	Knights Odds
	$1.11	$6.50
	$1.13	$6.00
	$1.13	$6.20

Match Analysis

The Sharks enjoyed a well-deserved week off last round following a 32-point drubbing of the Titans in which they put up a mammoth 54 points. That made it six weeks with just a solitary blemish, and with the free points they picked up for the bye last weekend – combined with the Panthers’ second straight loss – they moved into sixth spot. With the Bulldogs to come next week, both they and the Warriors are theoretically within reaching distance inside the top four if the Sharks go two from two, though with points difference potentially relevant they’ll be keen to beat the Knights as well as possible this weekend.

Based on how the Knights have been playing of late, it shouldn’t be too difficult to pick up a hefty win. Last week’s loss to the Broncos was their seventh in a row, and the last four have been pretty horrendous, each coming by at least 26 points and by an average of 32.5.

That bodes well for the Sharks. They don’t always capitalise with big wins against weak opposition, but they showed they’re more than capable of it against the Titans, and given how the Knights have been playing this is a great opportunity to pick up a big win. The visitors could be in for another drubbing on Sunday.

Expert Tip

Sharks -17.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

This is a big line, but the Knights haven’t got near covering it for over a month.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Sharks 13+ @ $1.62 with Bet365
• Over 49.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 31st of August
• Kick off: 4.05pm AEST
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Dolphins Odds	Titans Odds
	$1.53	$2.50
	$1.52	$2.55
	$1.54	$2.50

Match Analysis

Depending on what happens in the Roosters vs Storm game, the final game of Round 26 could well be the Dolphins’ opportunity to jump inside the top eight with just a week remaining in the season. Heading into the round they sit a game back following three consecutive defeats, but with a slightly superior points difference to the Chooks. And though their defence has been a huge concern over that time, they’ll be confident in their ability to prevent the Titans from putting up the kinds of totals they’ve been conceding of late.

The Titans remain firmly planted on the bottom of the ladder after losing their last four games, and though they have actually been finding the scoreboard in that time, they too have struggled to contain opposing offences. They have conceded 54 and 32 points over the past fortnight, which doesn’t bode well for a clash against the second highest scoring team in the league.

The Dolphins have had patches of brilliance this season but have not shown it over the past three weeks, but their season is on the line in this game against arguably the worst team in the league. With both sides having consistently given up big totals of late it would be no surprise to see plenty of points on the board after 80 minutes, but the Dolphins are much more potent with ball in hand and with so much to play for, look like great value on the betting apps to pick up a solid, and pivotally important, victory.

Expert Tip

Dolphins -5.5 @ $1.88 with EliteBet

They might be on a three-game losing streak, but the Dolphins should be too good with plenty on the line.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 52.5 total match points @ $1.90 with EliteBet
• Dolphins 13+ @ $2.60 with EliteBet