Welcome back to Sportsbet’s NRL tips and predictions for Round 10.
Thankfully it was a much closer round of results than last week's blowouts across the competition, coming back with a handful of one-score results and some closer and more exciting games.
This week though, how can your eyes not go straight to Saturday night action where first takes on second.
For the latest round 10 analysis, news, odds, and betting tips, check out our NRL round 10 tips and predictions.
The Dolphins’ vs Manly Sea Eagles Predictions
Thursday, May 9, 7:50 pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium
Kicking off the round is a beauty between competition heavyweights the Dolphins and the Sea Eagles.
After the shock loss to the Raiders last week at home, the Sea Eagles risk losing their grip on a top-four position before Origin starts affecting the squads, making this business trip up north a must-win.
Rookie Dolphin halfback Isaya Katoa and veteran five-eighth Kodi Nikorima helped steer the competition's newest side home in a gripping contest against the Cowboys last week, with the duo having a hand in all the five tries they ran in.
The Dolphins are set to be boosted by the availability of Anthony Milford who has served his suspension. But, super coach Wayne Bennett is sweating on the fitness of Kiwi forward Kenny Bromwich who sat out the clash with the Cowboys through concussion protocols.
After coach Anthony Seibold said that his side “got what they deserved” after surrendering a 20-0-point lead vs the Raiders, the 2-week northern mission for Manly starts now.
Head-to-head prediction: Dolphins
Betting tip: SGM – Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima anytime try scorers.
Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury – Bankstown Bulldogs Prediction
Friday, May 10, 6:00 pm AEST – Bluebet Stadium
A Friday night doubleheader kicks off in Penrith taking on the Bulldogs in a local derby.
The Panthers machine tore through the hapless Rabbitohs last Friday night, taking full advantage of the Bunnies' sorry situation to run in seven tries to two after a slow start out of the blocks.
With three wins in a row, and starting to gain some championship momentum again, they come up against a team where they have enjoyed much success over in recent years, currently holding a staggering 18-game winning streak over their NSW rivals.
The Doggies took care of business against the Tigers to keep themselves in the top eight, but only just.
With Ricky’s Raiders breathing down their neck hoping to take their spot, it’s rotten timing for the Dogs to run into the Panthers. But Canberra sitting and having a bye this week presents a great opportunity to try to grow the gap between the sides.
Expect some friendly biff too with Stephen Crichton coming up against his former side for the first time too.
Head-to-head prediction: Panthers
Betting tip: Stephen Crichton anytime try scorer.
Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction
Friday, May 10, 8:00 pm AEST – CommBank Stadium
The bye week is meant to be a time when you can take a breath but that didn’t apply this time for Eels fans.
The news that Clint Gutherson was heading in for surgery on his knee and will be out of action for five weeks hit hard and made the upcoming task coming up against the traveling Broncos that bit harder.
The Broncos have been doing some soul-searching of their own after being blown off their home park by the Roosters last week, conceding 40 points despite their stacked lineup back in business.
This makes this matchup even more intriguing with the Broncs holding onto their spot in the top eight only just and the Eels sitting one game behind.
Despite the performance last week, the Broncs should have more scoring power than the Eels, who will be looking for other avenues to the try line now that Gutherson is out injured. A lot will fall on Sivo’s shoulders once again.
Head-to-head prediction: Broncos
Betting tip: Maika Sivo first try scorer.
West Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Predictions
Saturday, May 11, 3:00 pm AEST – Scully Park, Tamworth
Nothing is coming easy for Benji Marshall is it?
The Tigers were held scoreless and coughed up a lead, and two players against the Doggies to leave them languishing in third last place on the ladder.
The Knights are right this season, having held off the Warriors at home to be in the chasing pack just outside the top eight.
Which makes this game almost worth double for the Knights as, like last week, should be accounting for these like types if they are looking to make the jump into finals contention.
The Knights would have been particularly pleased with the performance of rookie fullback David Armstrong who has been tasked with filling the shoes of Kayln Ponga and done so with aplomb thus far.
But how sore and battle-ready will they be though after a short turnaround and playing in the heavy conditions?
The Tigers will need to tidy up on their discipline after two second-half sin bins cost them dearly as they were overrun last week. That, plus the loss of Brent Naden who is facing a lengthy ban for a crusher tackle should give the Knights the advantage in this one.
Head-to-head prediction: Knights
Betting tip: Jahream Bula anytime try scorer
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Predictions
Saturday, May 11, 5:30 pm AEST – Nestrata Jubilee Stadium
There was no new-coach bounce for the Rabbitohs after the mid-week decision to finally part ways with coach Jason Demitriou.
Instead, despite starting positively with the first two tries of the match, they went on to concede the next seven and suffer more pain in a sorry season.
The Dragons themselves are wading their way through their own rollercoaster start to the season and will be looking to gain some momentum and join the competition in feasting on the Bunnies.
The Dragons will be buoyed by the performance of ex-Storm man Tom Eisenhuth, who made an incredible 63 tackles in his first game at second row for the Red V, giving coach Shane Flanagan an extra magnet to spin at selection and in-game move.
Can we make a case for the Bunnies and their interim coach Ben Hornby? The return of superstar Latrell Mitchell should give them some confidence with something special. But with limited reinforcements available due to injuries, it’s tough to see them coming up here.
Head–to–head prediction: Dragons.
Betting tip: Over 47.5 Points
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions
Saturday, May 11, 7:35 pm AEST – AAMI Park
What a beauty this one is shaping up to be.
First vs Second, Primetime Rugby League. It doesn’t get any better than that surely.
The Storm is now unbeaten in their last five matches and survived an almighty scare against Dessy’s Titans last week to hold on to a narrow win. But despite escaping with the premiership points, are set to lose star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen with another injury.
Already without Xavier Coates, the home side could be down a third star with Jahrome Hughes also no certainty to take his place with a minor calf injury.
The table-topping Sharks will start as outsiders because Melbourne is that good at home, but we do not need to look far down the line to see some intimate knowledge of how to break the home side down.
With the Storm’s injury list piling up, that could give the Sharks the impetus and edge the first time to beat the hosts on their home ground this season.
I think we have to back the home side in though, just because they know how to get it done don’t we? Either way, expect fireworks.
Head-to-head prediction: Storm.
Betting tip: Cameron Munster 2+ tries.
Sydney Roosters vs NZ Warriors Prediction.
Sunday, May 12, 2:00 pm AEST – Allianz Stadium
The Chooks are flying high after their shock mauling away at Brisbane and return home with renewed confidence.
Meanwhile, the Wahs hype train has derailed almost as quickly as it was put together with three consecutive losses seeing them go tumbling down the ladder.
The assignments don’t get any easier though, as they continue their stay across the ditch in what shapes to be a not-very-fun afternoon for the Kiwi-based team.
The Chooks have piled on the points in recent weeks and are dripping with plenty of scoring prowess with Crichton, Manu, and Terrell May joining in the scoring party.
We’re tipping the home side here, and comfortably.
Head-to-head prediction: Roosters.
Betting tip: Total match points 40 +
Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions
Sunday, May 12, 4:05 pm AEST – CbusSuper Stadium
Rounding out the weekend is the Queensland derby where the struggling Titans host the only slightly better Cowboys.
After finally breaking their duck two weeks ago, The Titans almost did the impossible when they came back to give the Storm an almighty scare but fell just short at the end.
Knowing they can do that to a title contender should fill them with hope that they are taking some steps with Des right?
They’d fancy themselves here against the Cowboys who despite starting favourites, are desperate for a win and have been conceding points and dropping winnable games at an alarming rate.
Despite their defensive woes, we think the Cowboys should be too good here. But expect it to be less than a couple of tries in it come the end.
Head–to–head prediction: Cowboys.
Betting tip: Cowboys 1 to 12
Canberra Raiders – Bye
The Raiders win away at Manly sees them hitting the bye just outside the top eight waiting to see some teams ahead of them slip up. They are also a game ahead of the chasing pack below them so they will be keeping a keen eye on how their rivals go before linking up in Magic Round.