There are three rounds remaining in the 2026 NRL regular season and wobbling heavyweights Penrith and Cronulla will be desperate to recover from back-to-back losses this weekend against out-of-contention opposition.
Manly and Canterbury face must-win assignments, while South Sydney has a huge obstacle in front of them in the form of the Warriors.
Read on for our complete 2026 NRL Round 25 predictions, tips and best Rugby League bets to place this weekend!
The finals ship has all but sailed for Melbourne, but knocking over stumbling Penrith in their last home game of the season will provide ample motivation.
FORM: The Storm snapped a three-game losing run to trounce the Sea Eagles 42-20 in Perth in Round 23, after trailing at halftime. They had the bye last weekend.
The Panthers lost their grip on top spot courtesy of a 12-6 loss to the Roosters – their fifth loss in eight games.
INS AND OUTS: Melbourne gets a further boost with Harry Grant and Jack Howarth returning, which sees Tyran Wishart and Joe Chan revert to the bench. Trent Toelau will partner Cam Munster in the halves this week.
Casey McLean is a back in a timely lift for the Panthers, with Paul Alamoti (hamstring) ruled out.
KEY MATCH-UP: Different jersey numbers, but Origin adversaries and Test teammates Munster and Nathan Cleary will guide their teams’ fortunes.
HISTORY: The Storm have won four of their last six against the Panthers but crashed to a 50-10 loss at CommBank Stadium in Round 5.
KEY STAT: The Panthers have a 1-9 record at AAMI Park.
VERDICT: The two biggest heavyweights of the 2020s renew a fierce rivalry, though at a very different juncture than the out-of-contention Storm are used to. But the injury-ravaged side has been gallant in recent defeats and the win over Manly was well-deserved reward.
There’s plenty at stake for the Panthers, who could drop out of the top two with a loss and need to recover some momentum over the closing three rounds.
The Storm are a tempting option with a 7.5-point start after winning five of their last six at home, but the over appeals more with seven of 10 games at AAMI Park producing 52-plus points this season.
Predictions: Back Over 42.5 Total Points @ $1.90
SGM: STORM +7.5 / OVER 7.5 TOTAL TRIES / TOM JENKINS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / NICK MEANEY ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $16.31
Other teams’ stumbles have maintained a mathematical Top 8 chance for the Raiders after an upset victory last week, but the spiralling Broncos’ only remaining motivation is avoiding the wooden spoon.
FORM: The Raiders showed an abundance of spirit to roll Cronulla 24-20 on the road last Saturday just six days after a seemingly season-ending home loss to Newcastle.
The Broncos crashed to their 12th loss in 13 games last weekend, a 40-6 defeat to the Warriors in which enthusiasm and defensive desire appeared sorely lacking – as well as costing them Reece Walsh for the rest of a sorry title defence.
INS AND OUTS: The Raiders get Simi Sasagi back from injury, Ata Mariota comes in at lock for Morgan Smithies (concussion) and Josh Papalii will start at prop in his last home game. Corey Horsburgh has received a bench recall.
Hayze Perham slots in as Brisbane’s fullback for Walsh, while Ben Hunt replaces Tom Duffy at halfback.
KEY MATCH-UP: Big ‘Papa’ will be fired up to turn back the clock in his home farewell – and he and Joe Tapine will engage in a crucial battle up front against Broncos bookends Xavier Willison and Payne Haas.
HISTORY: The Broncos have won three of their last four against the Raiders, most recently taking out a golden point epic at GIO Stadium 29-28 last September.
KEY STAT: Broncos wingers have scored 14 tries in the club’s last seven clashes with the Raiders. Both wingers scored in four of those matches.
VERDICT: A heavy loss to Penrith in Mudgee aside, the Raiders have been very competitive over the past seven weeks – winning five games – and will still be alive in the finals race when this game kicks off.
Papalii’s farewell should also inspire the Green Machine as they hunt a fourth win in five games at GIO Stadium.
The Broncos have been increasingly terrible in recent weeks, and Walsh’s season-ending injury only compounds the futility of his road trip.
Prediction: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (-10.5) @ $1.90
SGM: RAIDERS BY 13+ / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / JOSIAH KARAPANI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KAEO WEEKES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ZAC HOSKING ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.82
The Dolphins have pushed their way back into the Top 4 and will be acutely aware of becoming another Parramatta banana skin victim this Friday at Suncorp Stadium.
FORM: The Dolphins have pieced together a four-match winning streak over low-hanging fruit, backing up patchy wins over the Dragons and Broncos with a 22-0 shutout of Manly on the road.
The lowly Eels won a 32-30 thriller against eighth-placed North Queensland in Round 24 – their eighth win of the season and third in six games.
INS AND OUTS: Max Plath comes into the Dolphins second-row for Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring), while Jake Averillo and Brian Pouniu are new faces on the six-man bench with Tevita Naufahu dropping out.
The Eels’ only starting line-up change sees Jack de Belin return at lock, pushing Saxon Pryke to the bench. Kelma Tuilagi joins the interchange for Dylan Walker (wrist).
KEY MATCH-UP: Current NSW half Mitch Moses and future Blues playmaker Isaiya Katoa are set for an intriguing individual duel.
HISTORY: After going down 48-20 in the clubs’ inaugural 2023 clash on the Sunshine Coast, the Dolphins have won 44-16 in Darwin in 2024 and 20-16 at CommBank Stadium last season.
KEY STAT: The Dolphins are on a seven-match winning streak at Suncorp Stadium, taking out those matches by an average margin of 20 points.
VERDICT: Over the line for their first finals appearance, the Dolphins have been given a Top 4 leg up by Cronulla’s recent slump and they will be dialled in to consolidate their position ahead of a blockbuster against the Roosters next week.
The Eels are providing the same nuisance value that they did at the back end of 2025, but they are still giving up plenty of points and have not beaten a team currently sitting higher than eighth this year.
Prediction: Back the Dolphins to Score Over 32.5 Points @ $1.90
SGM: DOLPHINS -13.5 / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / JACK BOSTOCK ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KODI NIKORIMA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $11.27
Still in the Top 4 mix, the Knights shapes as a top-value option at home against the flailing ‘Fozball’ Sea Eagles.
FORM: The sleepers in the premiership race, the Knights have chalked up wins over the Broncos (30-6), Raiders (30-24) and Titans (36-26) over the past three weeks.
The Sea Eagles finals prospects have disintegrated with six straight losses, losing their last three to the Sharks, Storm and Dolphins by 22-plus margins. The were held to nil at home by the Dolphins last Friday.
INS AND OUTS: Bradman Best returns for the Knights in time to replace Dane Gagai (hamstring), while Jacob Saifiti is back from a six-week layoff. Rookie sensation Francis Manuleleua is out with concussion, so Tyson Frizell will start.
Tom Trbojevic is a surprise in for Manly, which sees Clayton Faulalo shift to five-eighth for the injured Joey Walsh. Ben Trbojevic returns with Corey Waddell sliding to the bench.
KEY MATCH-UP: ‘Turbo’s’ return changes the complexion of this match somewhat, particularly as he lines up opposite Knights captain and talisman Kalyn Ponga. The direct head-to-head stands at three wins apiece with one draw.
HISTORY: The Knights boast three wins and a draw from their last five matches against the Sea Eagles, including a rare victory in their dismal 2025 campaign (26-22) and a resounding Round 2 result this year (36-16) despite losing Ponga and Dylan Brown during the first half.
KEY STAT: Dom Young has scored 10 tries in his last six games against Manly.
VERDICT: The Knights haven’t exactly been setting the NRL on fire during their current winning streak, but they’ve been doing more than enough and another victory over a bottom-half team looms as they hunt their seventh win at McDonald Jones Stadium in eight matches.
Tom Trbojevic’s return could provide the circuit-breaker the Sea Eagles are desperately searching for, but the slide started well before his latest injury setback. They have offered very little on either side of the ball in recent weeks. The line looks far too small in this one.
Prediction: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (-6.5) @ $1.90
SGM: KNIGHTS TO WIN / UNDER 50.5 TOTAL POINTS / DOM YOUNG TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / JASON SAAB ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.35
Souths are keeping their nose in front in the scramble for Top 8 spots, while the on-fire Warriors’ compelling minor premiership bid has been knocked by yet another halfback setback.
FORM: The seventh-placed Rabbitohs have won three of their last four, backing up a scratchy 28-24 defeat of the Eels with a shock 22-6 defeat of a surging, desperate Bulldogs outfit.
The Warriors have emerged from a minor form lull to win their last three, thrashing the Titans (42-6) and Broncos (40-6) and either side of a statement victory over the Panthers (28-12).
INS AND OUTS: Latrell Mitchell has been named in the reserves and is tipped to return for his first game since Round 11. Euan Aitken comes into the second-row for Adam Elliott (groin).
With Luke Metcalf succumbing to another injury, Te Maire Martin still sidelined and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad suspended, Luke Hanson comes into the halves for his second NRL game and Taine Tuaupiki will start at fullback.
KEY MATCH-UP: Matt Dufty has been a revelation at the back for the Rabbitohs in one of the season’s best individual storylines, while fellow livewire Taine Tuaupiki will be looking to rediscover the formline he found prior to breaking down with a foot injury in Round 21.
HISTORY: After winning just one of 15 matches against Souths from 2013-23, the Warriors took out sole encounters in 2024 (34-4) and 2025 (36-30) – both at Accor Stadium.
KEY STAT: Alex Johnston boasts 15 tries in 11 career games against the Warriors, including 10 in his last six. But Dallin Watene-Zelenziak’s opposing wingers have scored just two tries this year.
VERDICT: Frequent disruptions are halfback and fullback have barely made a ripple on the Warriors’ charge in 2026 – predominantly because their blue-chip forward pack is so high-performing.
Meanwhile, spine Wayde Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita have been consistently excellent, their wingers are scoring piles of tries and Leka Halasima has added another dimension since his recent shift to centre.
Last week’s win showed ample character, but the Rabbitohs remain a couple of notches below the teams above them on the ladder. It’s a big ask for Mitchell to return from a three-month layoff and deliver – it’s up to their high-profile forwards to lead the way.
Prediction: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (-5.5) @ $1.90
SGM: WARRIORS WIN / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / LEKA HALASIMA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JACOB LABAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MATTHEW DUFTY ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $52.99
Enjoying a late-season renaissance and an outside chance of offloading the spoon, the Dragons will be relishing the prospect of putting a spanner in the works of the Bulldogs’ Top 8 bid.
FORM: The Saints have doubled their season win tally in the past fortnight, chalking up back-to-back victories for the first time via a 24-16 upset of Cronulla and a 24-22 eclipse of Wests Tigers.
The Bulldogs’ resurgence has hit a roadblock over the past two rounds courtesy of a valiant 20-18 loss to the Roosters and an upset 22-6 defeat to the Rabbitohs.
INS AND OUTS: Dan Atkinson is at fullback and Mat Feagai on the wing for the Dragons with Clint Gutherson out again. Josh Kerr replaces Blake Lawrie on the bench.
The Bulldogs have lost Jethro Rinakama for the season, so Enari Tuala goes to the wing, and Bronson Xerri comes back at centre. Sean O’Sullivan joins the six-man interchange.
KEY MATCH-UP: The initial spike has faded slightly after Stephen Crichton’s move to five-eighth for the Bulldogs, while Lykhan King-Tongia is thriving in the Dragons’ No.6 jersey.
HISTORY: The Bulldogs are on a six-match winning streak against the Dragons, including a controversial 15-14 golden point escape in Las Vegas in Round 1.
KEY STAT: Four of the last six Dragons-Bulldogs encounters have produced totals of 38 points or less.
VERDICT: Last week’s flat performance from the Bulldogs came out of nowhere after a highly impressive month of football that had some proclaiming them a genuine dark horse. This is a non-negotiable must-win clash for the ninth-placed outfit, who face Penrith next week.
The Dragons are showing real fight with a talented young pack standing tall, but they are likely to come up short against a team with everything to play for and boasting a slew of game-breakers.
Prediction: Back Over 43.5 Total Points @ $1.90
SGM: BULLDOGS WIN / JACOB PRESTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MATT BURTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TYRELL SLOAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $17.46
The Sharks desperately need to get back on track after dropping out of the Top 4 and suffering a brutal injury blow, while the Titans appear to be meandering to the end of the season.
FORM: The Titans have lost three straight to the Warriors (42-6), Cowboys (30-8) and Knights (36-26), at least showing some fight in the latter.
The past fortnight has been a disaster for the Sharks, crashing 24-16 to the Dragons and losing Braydon Trindall in a 24-20 defeat at home to the Raiders.
INS AND OUTS: Arama Hau has received a recall for the Titans, but Josh Patston (concussion) is out. Cooper Bai is set to start at lock with Chris Randall benched, and Luke Sommerton comes onto the interchange for Sam Verrills.
Niwhai Puru replaces Trindall in the halves, while Addin Fonua-Blake’s return from suspension pushes Oregon Kaufusi back to the bench.
KEY MATCH-UP: Puru was excellent in Nicho Hynes’ absence and now partners the linchpin. He lines up opposite Titans spearhead Jayden Campbell.
HISTORY: The Sharks have won 12 of their last 13 against the Sharks, including a 50-10 rout in Round 1 at Ocean Protect Stadium.
KEY STAT: The Sharks have scored 36-plus points in six of their last 10 games against the Titans – and 44-plus in their last three.
VERDICT: Just when the Sharks had seemingly proven their credentials, they’ve sunk to disastrous consecutive losses that has likely pitched them into a week one elimination final scenario. Trindall’s injury is another huge blow and Hynes and co. need to make a statement here.
The Titans put in an improved showing last week but have proved an unreliable proposition throughout 2026 despite some notable form spikes. Meanwhile, the last four visitors to Cbus Super Stadium have scored 30-plus points.
Prediction: Back the Sharks to Score Over 28.5 Points @ $1.96
SGM: SHARKS WIN / OVER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / SIONE KATOA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / PHILLIP SAMI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TEIG WILTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $20.63
The minor premiership is the Roosters’ to lose after a couple of high-profile wins – and the floundering Tigers shape as lambs to the slaughter this Sunday.
FORM: The Roosters’ eight-match winning streak has carried them to the top of the table, following up a 20-18 win comeback win over the Bulldogs with a gripping 12-6 defeat of the Panthers – both without James Tedesco.
The Tigers have lost eight in a row, losing narrowly to fellow also-rans the Eels (16-13) and Dragons (24-22) in their last two.
INS AND OUTS: Tedesco returns from a two-game layoff, pushing Cody Ramsey to the Roosters’ bench.
Jock Madden has been recalled by the Tigers with Adam Doueihi out due to a shoulder injury, while Alex Twal returns with Sione Fainu going to the bench and Jeral Skelton starting on the wing with Sunia Turuva on the interchange.
KEY MATCH-UP: Daly Cherry-Evans stood tall against the Panthers as his NRL career winds down. Jarome Luai will be eager to show some sort of leadership at the tail-end of his Tigers stint – particularly now with Doueihi out.
HISTORY: The Tigers bagged a 30-28 upset at Allianz Stadium in the teams’ only 2025 clash, snapping an eight-match losing streak against the Roosters.
KEY STAT: The Tigers have kept the Roosters to less than 28 points just four times in the clubs’ last 16 encounters.
VERDICT: The Roosters are one of the shortest favourites of the season – and for good reason. While belatedly proving their premiership chops in hard-fought wins in the past two rounds, if there’s one thing the Roosters are good at its putting points on ordinary teams.
The Tigers are limping towards the finish line and have conceded a total of 136 points in their last three matches against the other three current Top 4 teams.
Prediction: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (-24.5) @ $1.90
SGM: ROOSTERS TO SCORE OVER 38.5 POINTS / OVER 9.5 TOTAL TRIES / SAM WALKER ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ROBERT TOIA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SIUA WONG ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $15.74