NRL 2025 Round 27 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

And just like that, we’re down to the final week of the NRL season. Round 26 went a long way to deciding who will play finals, with the teams currently occupying the top eight spots almost set in place – a Roosters loss this weekend, however, opens the door for the Dolphins and technically the Sea Eagles, though the chances of the latter are almost purely mathematical. Further up the ladder, another battle remains live with three teams tied for points in the race for 4th spot – the Broncos have the advantage with a far superior points difference, but with the Storm awaiting them on Thursday night it’s far from guaranteed that they’ll remain there. That game looks like the highlight of the round, but numerous others will shape the eight over the course of the weekend. Below, you can check out the NRL tips for the week from our rugby league expert at Australianbettingsites for every game over the last round of the season.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 4th of September
• Kick off: 7.50pm AEST
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Broncos Odds	Storm Odds
	$2.00	$1.81
	$2.05	$1.78
	$2.02	$1.82

Match Analysis

What a way to kick off the last round of the season this is. The Broncos were made to work a little harder than they would have liked to beat the Cowboys last weekend, but they were ultimately able to secure their third win in a row and, with the Warriors losing, jump inside the top four. Their points difference being the third best in the league is proving to be very handy, meaning the ball is in their court when it comes to the top four, with victory in this game assuring them of the double chance. Unfortunately, the matchup is not exactly an easy one.

The Storm might not have shown it last weekend against the Roosters, but they are the short-priced Premiership favourites for a reason. Prior to that 40-10 loss they had won 11 of their last 12 games, including a dominant 22-2 win over the Broncos just a month ago. They theoretically have nothing to play for in this game – they are already locked into 2nd place – but Craig Bellamy was fuming after their uncharacteristic performance last weekend and a team with standards as high as the Storm will not likely be putting up a second consecutive showing of that standard.

Expect both teams to come out all guns blazing in this one – the Broncos desperately hoping to secure a top four spot, and the Storm eager to avoid back-to-back losses on the eve of the finals. With more tangibly on the line and a raucous crowd at their back the Broncos do have plenty going for them, but the Storm have been their bogey side for a long time, winning an incredible 17 of the past 18 against them. The better side can get the points here, and likely resign the Broncos to a do-or-die Elimination Final next week.

Expert Tip

Storm -1.5 @ $1.95 with PlayUp

17 wins from their past 18 against the Broncos is a hard stat to ignore and will no doubt be playing on the minds of both teams.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Storm 7+ @ $2.50 with PlayUp
• Storm 13+ @ $3.75 with EliteBet

• Date: Friday, 5th of September
• Kick off: 6.00pm AEST
• Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Eagles Odds	Warriors B Odds
	$1.48	$2.65
	$1.50	$2.60
	$1.50	$2.60

Match Analysis

Exactly what is on the line in this game will depend on Thursday night’s result, but regardless there will be something to play for – at least for the Warriors. As for the Sea Eagles, they are technically still in the finals hunt after two consecutive big wins, but they would not only need to win this game, they’d also need the Roosters to lose to the Rabbitohs, and the combined total of their victory and the Roosters’ loss to be a massive 82 points – and even then they’d probably need the Sharks to lose as well.

For the Warriors, top four will still be in their reach if the Broncos lose, but they’ve made it pretty hard for themselves by going down to the Eels last weekend. They’re tied for points with the Broncos and Sharks but have easily the worst points difference, so they really need both those teams to lose and to win themselves. Fortunately, with those two sides playing the Storm and Raiders, that’s not out of the realms of possibility.

If Thursday night goes the way of the Storm, there will be a lot more on the line for the Warriors, though even if the Broncos win that game, the Warriors will still be very keen to win this to potentially move up to 5th and avoid the Panthers in week one of the finals. The Sea Eagles will be internally aware that they need a huge win, but the improbability of them making the finals will not be lost on anyone. The Warriors have been disappointing of late, but with a lot on the line, they can cause an upset here.

Expert Tip

Warriors to win @ $2.65 with PlayUp

The Warriors have not exactly set the world on fire for some time now, but the Sea Eagles are erratic and unreliable and look too short with Aussie betting sites.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Warriors +5.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp
• Warriors 1-12 @ $3.85 with PlayUp

• Date: Friday, 5th of September
• Kick off: 8.00pm AEST
• Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Roosters Odds	Rabbitohs Odds
	$1.28	$3.70
	$1.30	$3.60
	$1.28	$3.70

Match Analysis

It all comes down to this for the Roosters, and what better team to fight for their spot in the finals against than the Rabbitohs. The Chooks have switched it on when they’ve needed it most, winning four of their last five games to put themselves in the box seat to play finals, their most impressive performance of the lot coming when they beat the Storm 40-10 to give themselves a one-game buffer in 8th heading into the last round. Thanks to that victory, a win here will assure them of a spot in the finals – and they could even get there with a loss.

The Rabbitohs are actually coming off three consecutive wins, the latest of which was a 40-0 pumping of the Dragons prior to their bye, so the Roosters can’t expect to waltz in here and win it in second gear. But though they’re playing out the season well, the Bunnies are not exactly world beaters and should pose a relatively straightforward task for the in-form Roosters.

These two teams obviously have a long and storied history, but the Roosters have had their measure for a few years now. The Bunnies finally broke what was a five-game losing streak against the Chooks earlier this year, but it’s hard to imagine that repeating itself in this game. The Roosters have been excellent over the past month or so, and with their season on the line should be far too strong.

Expert Tip

Roosters -10.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Roosters should be far too good, particularly with a spot in the eight to play for, and this line looks like one of the better NRL tips this week.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 51.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Roosters 13+ @ $2.10 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 6th of September
• Kick off: 3.00pm AEST
• Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Dragons Odds	Panthers Odds
	$3.25	$1.34
	$3.25	$1.35
	$3.10	$1.37

Match Analysis

The Dragons gave the finals a bit of a nudge this season, but it’s indicative of just how tight the league is this year – or at least sections of it – that they’ve somehow dropped all the way to 15th after three consecutive losses. And with a matchup against the Panthers looming, they’re likely to finish the season with four defeats on the trot.

Having said that, the Panthers have lost three in a row themselves, and there is no guarantee they will play their best side this weekend. Two four-point losses to the top two teams in succession ended their top four hopes and resulted in Ivan Cleary resting his first team against the Bulldogs last weekend, predictably resulting in a heavy defeat, and they’re now guaranteed to finish either 7th or 8th.

But despite the fact that they can’t improve on their situation with a win this weekend, it’s hard to imagine the Panthers are particularly keen to enter the finals on the back of four consecutive losses, and certainly not with their starting team having not played in three weeks. Cleary might choose not to play every one of his stars a full game, but more than likely he’ll bring the bulk, if not all, of them back, and if that’s the case they should be far too strong for the Dragons.

Expert Tip

Panthers -8.5 @ $1.91 with EliteBet

If the Panthers have something resembling their best team, they should pump the Dragons.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Panthers 13+ @ $2.30 with EliteBet
• Under 47.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365

• Storm -1.5 @ $1.91 with PlayUp – A lot of quoted history in sporting matchups is pretty irrelevant, but when it’s as one-sided as it is between the Storm and Broncos, it needs to be considered. The Storm have won an incredible 17 of their last 18 against the Broncos, often easily, with their last two coming by 20 and 38. Though the Broncos have a lot on the line, the Storm will be keen to rebound from last week’s effort and should be too good.
• Roosters -10.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – The Roosters have played some really good footy of late, and have been picking up some hefty wins against teams far better than the Rabbitohs. The Chooks have won four of their last five games, and those wins have each been by 16 points or more, and an average of 29.5. That includes a 30-point win over the Storm and a 20-point defeat of the Bulldogs, so a line of 10.5 against the Bunnies looks well within their reach.
• Dolphins vs Raiders over 51.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365 – The Dolphins have been involved in plenty of high-scoring games this year, both as a result of their own offensive prowess and some pretty slack defence, and of late that’s only been amplified. Each of their last four games has yielded at least a massive 66 points, with the average game total in that time sitting at 74. This is a relatively high total set by betting apps, but they should clear it with ease.

• Date: Saturday, 6th of September
• Kick off: 5.30pm AEST
• Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Titans Odds	Tigers Odds
	$2.10	$1.74
	$2.15	$1.72
	$2.10	$1.75

Match Analysis

This is the first truly inconsequential game of the weekend, with neither the Titans nor the Tigers capable of having any impact on the finals race. All the Titans have to play for is the possibility of getting off bottom spot, which they would likely do with a win – assuming that the Knights lose. They have lost five on the trot, but they’ve actually been competitive in most of those, a couple of which were against good teams.

The Tigers, too, have been fairly competitive of late, though they’ve actually picked up a couple of wins along the way. Regardless of what happens in this game it’s been a much improved season for the three-time reigning Wooden Spooners, who could hit the double-figure win tally with a victory in this one.

But let’s be honest – we’re clutching at straws to find anything for either of these teams to play for. It could really go either way – the Titans have been competitive enough of late despite their poor record – but the Tigers deserve their slight favouritism and can eke out a 10th win of the season.

Expert Tip

Tigers to win by 1-12 @ $3.50 with Bet365

Anything could happen in this game really, but a Tigers’ close win looks as likely as any outcome.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 51.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Tigers to win outright @ $1.75 with EliteBet

• Date: Saturday, 6th of September
• Kick off: 7.35 pm AEST
• Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Bulldogs Odds	Sharks Odds
	$1.74	$2.10
	$1.72	$2.15
	$1.75	$2.10

Match Analysis

The Bulldogs were the lucky recipients of the Panthers waving the white flag last weekend, bouncing back from two consecutive defeats with a 28-4 thumping of the reigning Premiers’ seconds. Incredibly, given they’ve spent so much time on top of the ladder this year, they actually needed that win to assure them of a spot in the top four, but with it they’ve locked themselves into third spot and a Qualifying Final against the Storm in Melbourne.

The Sharks’ future, in contrast, is a little more uncertain. Heading into the final round of the year they find themselves in 5th, tied for points with the Broncos in 4th and the Warriors in 6th. They’ll finish in one of those three positions, and by the time this game comes around they’ll know exactly what they need to do. If the Broncos lose, victory here would see the Sharks move into 4th. If the Broncos win, Cronulla can’t finish higher than 5th, but if the Warriors also win they could drop to 6th with a loss here, meaning a probable matchup with the Panthers in week one of the finals.

With the situation for the Sharks not yet known, this is a tough game to pick, but there is every chance that they have a top four spot to play for. The Bulldogs, in contrast, can’t change their situation regardless of what happens here. Add to that the fact that the Bulldogs have not exactly been playing like a top four team of late, and the Sharks look like a decent value underdog.

Expert Tip

Sharks to win @ $2.15 with Bet365

A lot rides on earlier games in the round, but the Sharks will possibly have a lot to play for here.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Sharks +2.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Sharks 1-12 @ $3.50 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 7th of September
• Kick off: 2.00pm AEST
• Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
• Broadcast info: Fox League

Bookmaker	Dolphins Odds	Raiders Odds
	$1.35	$3.20
	$1.35	$3.25
	$1.35	$3.25

Match Analysis

Sunday’s first game is another for which we won’t know the full permutations until the first few games of the round have taken place. The situation is pretty simple for the Dolphins; they need the Roosters to lose, or they can’t play finals. If the Roosters lose, the Dolphins need to win this game and make up 15 points on the Chooks, and they’re in. Unfortunately, with the Roosters playing the Rabbitohs, there is every chance this will be a dead rubber for the league’s newest teams.

For the Raiders, it will be a dead rubber regardless. Already they’ve locked away top spot, having opened up a two-game lead over the Storm, and as a result they will rest at least a handful of their best players and potentially quite a few more.

Had things unfolded slightly differently this could have been a massive game, but as it stands it will more than likely be entirely inconsequential. The Dolphins will be hoping that isn’t so and will be gearing up for it as though a finals spot is on the line, but more than likely, come Friday night, those hopes will be dashed. Still, they’ll probably play out the year with a full-strength team regardless, and against a depleted Raiders outfit should be too strong.

Expert Tip

Dolphins -9.5 @ $1.91

The Raiders have nothing to play for and won’t field nearly their best team.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 51.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Dolphins 13+ @ $2.20 with PlayUp

• Date: Sunday, 7th of September
• Kick off: 4.05pm AEST
• Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Nine, 9Now, Fox League

Bookmaker	Eels Odds	Knights Odds
	$1.22	$4.30
	$1.22	$4.35
	$1.22	$4.40

Match Analysis

Not much needs to be said about the final game of the 2025 regular season. Neither the Eels nor the Knights have ever been in the hunt for the finals this year, though they have switched places over the course of the season. The Eels looked set to be fighting it out for bottom spot a few months ago but have given their fans something to cheer about of late, last weekend’s four-point win over the Warriors their fourth from their last six games.

Not so for the Knights. While the Eels have benefited from the return of Mitch Moses, the Knights have fallen in a heap in the absence of Kalyn Ponga, and have lost their last eight on the trot to fall down to second last. Not only that, they’ve been getting pumped; last week’s 24-point defeat was the closest they’ve got to anyone in their last five games.

It’s not often that this Eels team would head into a game as such short-priced favourites, but given the recent form of the Knights it’s well and truly justified. The Knights haven’t been putting up a fight against anyone of late, and the Eels should be able to secure a comfortable win to round out the season.

Expert Tip

Eels -11.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

Given the Knights have lost their last five games all by 24+, the line set by betting sites looks relatively short.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Eels 7+ @ $1.50 with PlayUp
• Over 48.5 total match points @ $1.91 with Bet365