As we prepare for another big weekend in the NRL, you can’t help but be sucked into the battle for the top 8 spots on the ladder.
This is a race that is going to go all the way down to the wire, especially when you consider just how tight things are at the moment.
My Analysis for Round 21 top games
The Sharks and Panthers are in a battle for the top spot, but when you look below the top two, the next 8 teams are separated by just 6 points.
A team that wins a couple of games in a row can make a big move, while a team that loses a couple can find themselves outside the top 8 rather quickly.
There are some big matchups coming our way this weekend, so let’s take a look at some of the best games on the NRL Week 21 schedule.
^North Queensland Cowboys -145 vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks +115
The Sharks come into this weekend sitting in 3rd on the ladder, just 2 points out of second place. They will be looking to keep the pressure on, but they have just 1 win in their last 3 games.
They are, though, 5-3 on the road, so certainly not out of this one, even as then underdog.
The Cowboys have won 2 of their last 3, but they are down in 8th and clinging to that final spot. They have gone 4-4 at home, so it is certainly not a given that they will win in their own building.
^MyBookie NRL Betting Odds to Win
Sydney Roosters -263 vs Manly Sea Eagles +200
This is definitely one of the better matchups in the NRL this weekend, with these two teams sitting in the top 5.
The Roosters are in 4th, one point up on their opponent this weekend, and they will be looking to improve on their 6-3 home record this season after winning 3 of their last 4 games.
The Sea Eagles are in a similar vein of form, winning 3 of 4, but the problem that they have here is that they have not been great on the road, going just 2-5 away from home.
^St George Illawarra Dragons +275 vs Penrith Panthers -385
As it stands at the moment, the Dragons are sitting below the cut line in 9th, although they are still very much in striking distance.
With a win here, they could potentially move up to as high as 6th, but this is one of the toughest matchups they could have asked for, despite winning 2 of their last 3.
The Panthers are sitting in 2nd, 4 points out of the top spot, and come into this weekend having won 2 of their last 3 games.
They have also been very good on the road, going 6-3 away from home.
^Canberra Raiders -167 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs +132
As we mentioned at the top of this piece, being below the cut line does not mean being out of the race for the top 8.
The Raiders are in 10, just 2 points back of the #8 spot, but they are heading in the wrong direction after losing 3 of their last 4 games.
They are, though, 5-4 in home games. The Rabbitohs are down in 12th, 2 points back of the Raiders, and they are in good form, going 3-1 in their last 4.
South Sydney are, though, just 2-6 on the road this season.
^Rugby League NRL Winner Odds
- Penrith Panthers +196
- Sydney Roosters +320
- Melbourne Storm +320
- Brisbane Broncos +1375
- Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks +1375
- Manly Sea Eagles +1550
- North Queensland Cowboys +2100
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs +2500
- Dolphins NRL +3200
- South Sydney Rabbitohs +9500
- St George Illawarra Dragons +9500
- New Zealand Warriors +12000
- Canberra Raiders +15000
- Newcastle Knights +10000
- Gold Coast Titans +48000
- Parramatta Eels +150000
- Wests Tigers +225000
Isaako puts the moves on the Bulldogs! 🕺#NRLThrowback pic.twitter.com/AO9k8vcnj7
— NRL (@NRL) July 24, 2024
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