While all eyes will be on Origin I this week, there is still plenty of regular season footy to be played after the fact.
After the dust settles on Wednesday night’s interstate action, NRL Round 13 will get underway, with plenty of mouthwatering matchups on the cards.
It really is a case of saving the best for last this week, with easily the headline fixture of NRL Round 13 being the top of the table clash between the Panthers and Warriors on Sunday night.
As always, there will also be plenty of buzz around who might or might not back up from the Origin opener, with certain results bound to hinge on particular personnel.
For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRL Round 13 tips and predictions below.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction
Friday, May 29, 8:00pm AEST – Shark Park
NRL Round 13 opens with a battle of the beaches, as Cronulla welcome Foran’s flourishing Sea Eagles to town on Friday night.
The Dally M Coach of the Year race is surely already a wrap, with Foran winning eight of his first nine matches as an NRL head coach.
In a matter of months he’s taken what was a salvage situation and turned it in a title tilt, one we are tipping to continue here.
Cronulla at home are always tricky, but they lack the consistency their opposition have found this season and after winning last start are due to drop points any second now.
Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles.
Betting tip: Clayton Faulalo first try scorer.
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Prediction
Saturday, May 30, 3:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium
This season’s surprise packets Newcastle look to continue solidifying their reputation as one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the land when they welcome Parramatta to McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Early news out of NSW Origin camp is that Eels star Mitchell Moses is in doubt for Game I meaning he has almost zero chance of backing up for this game, if he does play.
The Eels have struggled with Moses on deck this year and we all know how they go without him, so we’re not exactly champing at the bit to tip a Blue and Gold ambush here.
They could potentially have a peak if Ponga doesn’t pull up 100% from Wednesday, but even so, we don’t fancy Parra’s chances of an upset on the road.
Head-to-head prediction: Newcastle Knights.
Betting tip: Greg Marzhew 2+ tries.
Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction
Saturday, May 30, 5:30pm AEST – CommBank Stadium
After a promising start to the season, the cracks are starting to show for the Tigers, as injury and expectation begin to take their toll.
They’ve lost their last three in a row and each by substantial margins (the smallest being 24 points), which has their finals aspirations in tatters.
Speaking of finals aspirations in tatter, ladies and gentlemen, the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Touted as pre-season top four locks and potential premiership contenders, it only took a matter of weeks for Cameron Ciraldo’s side to unravel and crash to the bottom quarter of the ladder.
Still, they did produce an impressive comeback against the Storm last week (although that isn’t quite the feat it once was), so could this be the start of their revival?
Wests are carrying plenty of injury and if Doggies skipper Stephen Crichton makes it out of the Origin arena in one piece, they could be an astute value tip this weekend.
Head-to-head prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs.
Betting tip: Stephen Crichton anytime try scorer.
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Prediction
Saturday, May 30, 7:35pm AEST – AAMI Park
This Round 13 clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters will very much be decided by who does and does not back up from Origin I.
With the likes of Tedesco, Robson, Radley, Toia, Munster, Walker, Grant, Collins and Loiero all set to represent either QLD or NSW, meaning both coaches will be sweating on each and every collision on Wednesday night.
With the Roosters having six players selected, it’s very unlikely all of them will be able to back up. Meanwhile we can’t see the Storm resting the likes of Munster and Grant if they remain healthy, due to their need to win games to make the finals.
Put this all together with the home ground advantage of AAMI Park and a Melbourne upset could just be the way to go.
Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Storm.
Betting tip: Sualauvi Faalogo first try scorer.
Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction
Sunday, May 31, 2:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium
Ok, this is getting worrying. We’re officially entering “delete the club” territory. We’re in Round 13 and the Dragons are still yet to win a game.
They’ll face reigning Premiers Brisbane this weekend up at Suncorp Stadium and there’s no prizes for guessing who we are tipping.
For the first time in what feels like forever, every member of the Broncos spine have dodged Origin Selection, with livewire fullback Reece Walsh being the biggest surprise inclusion for the Broncos after missing out on the QLD No.1 jersey.
Blues enforcer Payne Haas is also tipped to return from injury in this one, which is a week too late to play Origin, but just in time to run riot against the hapless Dragons.
Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Broncos.
Betting tip: Reece Walsh 2+ tries.
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction
Sunday, May 31, 4:05pm AEST – GIO Stadium
For whatever reason, last season’s minor premiers the Canberra Raiders just can’t seem to get going this season.
They backed up from their bye with a loss against the Dolphins and now have to face a North Queensland side who are coming off two impressive wins against Sydneysiders the Roosters and the Rabbitohs.
Those twin wins, have the Cows up to sixth, while the Green Machine languish in 12th. The Raiders lost to one Queensland team at home last week and we’re tipping them to lose to another here.
Head-to-head prediction: North Queensland Cowboys.
Betting tip: Scott Drinkwater anytime try scorer.
Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction
Sunday, May 31, 6:15pm AEST – CommBank Stadium
What a way to close out NRL Round 13. The first placed Penrith Panthers will welcome the second placed New Zealand Warriors to CommBank Stadium on Sunday night in what is sure to be one of the games of the season.
Will the Warriors swallow their pride and reinstate wantaway half Luke Metcalf for this one? They’ll have to if they want to win.
As for Penrith, they’ll be hoping this game is far removed enough from Wednesday’s Origin opener for the likes of Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Issah Yeo.
As it stands, they should have enough time in the ice bath to be ready to rock here and get the W, but should they fail to back up, then expect the odds to swing heavily in the Wahs favour, particularly if Metcalf is recalled.
Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers.
Betting tip: Thomas Jenkins first try scorer.
The Dolphins, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gold Coast Titans – BYE
Thanks to Origin, three teams get a bye in NRL Round 13. The Dolphins, Rabbitohs and Titans all get to sit back and rest this week and pick up a free two points.