<p>NRL round 18 will be running at a reduced schedule due to the imminent arrival of the State of Origin decider.</p> <p>Both Queensland and New South Wales will duke it out for Origin glory a week and a half from now, meaning most of the games brightest stars will be unavailable this week, as they head into camp for their respective states.</p> <p>As a result, the 10 teams who will run out this week will be a little undermanned. Still, this gives those waiting in the wings of first grade a chance to impress and also somewhat throws the formbook out of the window.</p> <p>Picking winners is always a little trickier around a rep round, but we’re up for the challenge.</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRL round 18 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 4, 8:00pm AEST – Accor Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A tantalising clash on paper, but one that will not be an accurate representation of where both sides are truly at.</p> <p>Both the Bulldogs and the Broncos are two of the teams who have been hit hardest by the call to arms that is State of Origin.</p> <p>Stephen Crichton, Max King, Jacob Kiraz, and Kurt Mann have all been called from the kennel, while Payne Haas, Gehamat Shibasaki, Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh have been summoned from the Stable.</p> <p>The final team lists will make this one a bit easier to tip. But as things stand, the Broncos have been hit just a little harder in the key position for us and the Bulldogs also have the advantage of being at home for this one. We’re taking them by a nose.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-brisbane-broncos-9347735">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Lachlan Galvin anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 5:30pm AEST – GIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ricky’s Raiders have rolled right to the top of the standings after last round, which saw them win a thriller and the Bulldogs lose one.</p> <p>Those two results have finally seen the Doggies usurped from first, a place they’ve held nearly all season long.</p> <p>Getting to the top of the mountain is one thing, staying there is another. The first team looking to knock the Green Machine from their newfound perch is the Dragons, who will visit GIO Stadium on Saturday evening.</p> <p>The Dragons are coming off a rare win, albeit against the lowly Eels, and will be looking to build off the back of that.</p> <p>Origin won’t play too much a factor here either, which is surprising considering Canberra are the form team in the competition.</p> <p>Still, only two of their players have been called up, both forwards – Hudson Young and Josh Papali’i</p> <p>While the Dragons are only missing Val Holmes, we’re not giving them much hope on the road against the rampaging Raiders.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canberra-raiders-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-9347736">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Kaeo Weekes first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 7:35pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>North Queensland finally managed to stop the bleeding last start, holding on for a nerve-wracking 30-24 win in the Desperation Derby.</p> <p>Hopefully they’ve still got the tourniquet handy this week, because they’re going to need it with the Melbourne Storm rolling into town.</p> <p>Yes Melbourne will be sans Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu, but the Cowboys will be just as undermanned.</p> <p>Reece Robson, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai are all of to the Origin arena too and if anyone forgot how the Cows got on last time without their Origin stars, let us remind you.</p> <p>They were pummelled 58-4 on their own patch by the Dolphins in one of the worst showings of the season.</p> <p>Melbourne have the depth to cover for the absences that North Queensland simply do not. We like the Storm by plenty here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-melbourne-storm-9347737">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Melbourne 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 6, 2:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Not only are the Roosters coming off a bye, but they have the luxury of having their best and most in form player, James Tedesco, untouched by Origin commitments.</p> <p>Tedesco has been one of the form players of the competition in 2025 and certainly had a case for reclaiming his NSW No.1 jersey from Dylan Edwards.</p> <p>It wasn’t meant to be, and NSW loss is certainly the Roosters gain. We’re backing Teddy to lead his chargers to a commanding victory over a Tigers side who not only continue to struggle but will be without marquee man Jarome Luai.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-wests-tigers-9347742">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> James Tedesco to score 2 or more tries.</p>

<h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 6, 4:05pm AEST – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of the shortened NRL round 18, sees the Manly Sea Eagles welcome the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs.</p> <p>For whatever reason, the Bunnies just can’t find their bounce and while they continue to show plenty of fight week in week out, they just can’t lock up a win.</p> <p>It’s now been five games since they last tasted victory and their seesawing 50-28 loss to the Dolphins last start showcased their inability to string a full 80 minutes together.</p> <p>They’ll have to try and find 80 minutes of consistency this week without the services of their main man Latrell Mitchell, who will be in Blues camp.</p> <p>Unable to find it with him, we fear how they’ll get on without him, especially seeing as Manly are coming off a win and unlike years gone by, have both Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic on deck, as both have avoided conscription to the Origin arena.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-9347746">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tom Trbojevic anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins, Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Cronulla Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, New Zealand Warriors – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final major bye round of 2025 will take place in NRL round 18, meaning no less than seven teams will get the week off ahead of Origin III.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>