NRL Round 26 Top Games: Expert Picks and Odds

There are just 2 rounds of games remaining in the NRL regular season, and while the #1 seed has been clinched, there is still a lot to figure out before we find out which 8 teams move on to play beyond the end of the regular season.

The penultimate weekend of action is coming our way, and there are a ton of big games on the schedule.

My Analysis for Round 26 top games

It is getting down to the wire for a lot of teams, several of whom might see their hopes of a top 8 finish come to an end this weekend.

For the other teams, it’s all about jockeying for position and getting the highest seed possible.

With all of that said, let’s take a look at 4 games we like in Round 26 of the NRL.

North Queensland Cowboys -435 vs Melbourne Storm +331

Thursday, August 29, 5:50 AM | As mentioned at the top of this piece, the #1 spot has been clinched, with the Storm wrapping things up with another win. With that in mind, you do have to wonder how motivated they will be to go on the road and try to pick up another victory.

They have won 4 of their last 5 and are an impressive 8-2 on the road this season. The Cowboys are down in the #6 spot and will finish in the top 8, but they do have a shot at moving up the ladder.

They have won 3 of their last 4, but they have been better on the road, with 7 wins versus 6 at home.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs -159 vs Manly Sea Eagles +133

Friday, August 30, 4:00 AM | Both of these teams will finish in the top 8, but this one is still huge, as seeding very much comes into play.

The Bulldogs are about as hot as it gets right now, winning 5 in a row ahead of this one. With that run, they have moved into 5th, just 2 points back of the team in 2nd.

The Bulldogs are a perfect 10-0 at home this season. All of those stats look like bad news for the Sea Eagles, who are down in the #7 spot and just 2-2 in their last 4 games. They have not been great away from home, going 3-7.

"They don't have the talent other teams have got, but right now they can trump that with confidence" 💪

Can the Bulldogs win the Premiership? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AJuZNkaOe1
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 27, 2024

Dolphins (Nrl) +193 vs Brisbane Broncos -250

Saturday, August 31, 3:30 AM | Matchups do not come much bigger than this one. The winner of this game will remain alive in the push for a playoff spot, while the loser will be officially eliminated.

Both teams are sitting 2 points out of the final spot, with the Dolphins having a bit of an advantage at home.

That said, they have just 1 win in their last 5 games and are 5-6 at home. The Broncos are on the same point total as their opponent and are 5-6 on the road.

They have been decent of late, going 2-2 in their last 4 games.

Sydney Roosters -667 vs Canberra Raiders +400

Sunday, September 1, 5:50 AM | On the face of it, this looks to be a rather lopsided matchup, but desperation can make things very different.

The Roosters are comfortable in the #2 spot on the ladder and have been great of late, winning each of their last 4 games. They have also been solid at home, going 8-3 in their own building.

The Raiders are below the cut line but are still in the hunt for a top 8 finish given that they are just 2 points back of that final spot.

This, though, could be the end for them.