See you next year Origin. Bye bye major bye rounds. It’s now time for nothing but eight weeks of full-schedule club footy with no interruptions. 

This footy fiesta to see out the 2026 season proper starts with NRL Round 20 and its bevy of mouthwatering matchups. 

We’ve got Penrith vs Brisbane, Cronulla vs Newcastle and Melbourne vs Sydney on the cards this week, just to name a few.

Games of this calibre deserve some expert analysis, so that’s why we’re serving up some NRL Round 20 tips and predictions with the hope of finding some diamonds in the roughies. 

For all the latest news, analysis, and predictions ahead of this week's action, check out our NRL Round 20 tips and predictions below. 

Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction 

Thursday, July 16, 7:50pm AEST – CommBank Stadium 

It’s the reigning premiers versus the heir apparent to their throne to open up NRL Round 20. Well, defending is a strong word, because the Broncos have done anything but defend their title this season.

In one of the worst premiership defences in recent memory, the Broncos losing streak ticked over to eight straight in their most recent outing against Cronulla.

They’ve had a bye since then to lick their wounds and regroup, but we are giving them little to no hope on the road against the table-topping Panthers who will be equally as fresh after their own week off. 

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers. 

Betting tip: Thomas Jenkins 2+ tries.

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Friday, July 17, 6:00pm AEST – Shark Park 

NRL Round 20 rolls on with what we are tipping to be a high-scoring encounter between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights.

Sitting side-be-side in the standings, the winner of this one will move to outright fourth on the ladder. These are huge implications, so we expect both sides to be well and truly up for this one.

Newcastle have been very impressive this season, but Cronulla have been building nicely over the last few weeks. 

Their purple patch came to a head in the shape of a 66-0 demolition of the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium last week, in a result literally no one saw coming. 

That attacking masterclass has now thrust them into premiership contention and the Knights will have their work cut out for them trying to contain them here.

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks. 

Betting tip: Over total match points. 

Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Prediction

Friday, July 17, 8:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium 

NRL Round 20 will serve up an absolute beauty under Friday night lights when the Sydney Roosters welcome the Melbourne Storm to Allianz Stadium.

One of the great modern rivalries, these two teams have been at each other’s throats over the last decade.

A few months ago, this would have been an epic mismatch with the Storm languishing near the foot of the ladder. However, they’ve won six of their last eight to rocket back into finals contention. 

The official team lists will shed more light on this one, with the potential participation of Roosters skipper James Tedesco the biggest question mark hanging over this contest.

The reigning Dally M medallist failed a HIA during Origin Game 3 and is in doubt for this one. 

Melbourne have injury problems of their own however, with news breaking that their own Origin star, Cameron Munster is set to miss the next six weeks with a knee problem. 

This would be a statement win for the Storm and a warning shot to the rest of the competition; however, we are doubtful they will be able to get it done here on the road without their main man Munster. 

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters. 

Betting tip: Daniel Tupou first try scorer. 

Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction 

Saturday, July 18, 3:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium 

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will look to stay in the race for the top four when they travel to the nation’s capital on Saturday to face the Raiders.

Meanwhile, operation “save some face” has been going well for the Green Machine who have won their last two games to move away from the foot of the ladder.

Their 40-16 away win against Canterbury last start was particularly impressive, as was lock Zac Hosking, who crossed for a quick-fire hat-trick out of seemingly nowhere. 

Despite this performance, we think a win over a South’s side set to welcome back assist machine Cody Walker from suspension is a bridge too far for the Raiders whose season was effectively over a month ago. 

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Betting tip: Zac Hosking anytime try scorer. 

New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction 

Saturday, July 18, 5:35pm AEST – Go Media Stadium 

Saturday’s action continues with a massive mismatch when the second-placed Warriors welcome the dead-last Dragons to Go Media Stadium.

The Wahs appear to be the NRL’s last great hope of ensuring the Penrith dynasty doesn’t start up again and to their credit they won’t go away. 

Still in the minor premiership race, the Warriors are odds on to pick up another vital win here to keep in touch with the purring Panthers.

For St George, their 2026 season flatlined many months ago, but they did pick up their second win of the campaign last start.

We’re tipping that winning streak to end at one, with the likes of Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and James Fisher-Harris ready to run riot here. 

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors. 

Betting tip: Alofiana Khan-Pereira 2+ tries. 

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers Prediction 

Saturday, July 18, 7:35pm AEST – Accor Stadium 

The latest installment of the ‘Disappointment Derby’ takes place at Accor Stadium on Saturday when the Bulldogs and Tigers go toe-to-toe.

There’s always plenty of promise, high profile recruits and signs of life in and around both of these sides. 

It’s just always followed with nothing but disappointment unfortunately. This season has been no different.

The Bulldogs preseason hype gave way to nothing but patchy performances, while the Tigers bright start to the season, quickly transformed into a four-game losing streak. 

Both teams got belted last week and to be honest we don’t fancy tipping either side here.

In time like this we always turn to the odds, and the Bulldogs are solid favourites, so we’ll be taking them in what is sure to be a scrappy affair. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs. 

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction

Sunday, July 19, 2:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium 

Sunday gets started with two teams who were pipped at the post last start looking to get back on the horse.

Fozball took another hit when Scott Drinkwater’s field goal sailed through the posts in the first minute of golden point to condemn the Sea Eagles to their third loss in four games.

Meanwhile, the Titans couldn’t hang on down in Melbourne as a last-minute Meaney try kept them sitting in 16th.

We think Manly will be more up for this despite their recent shaky form. They are one win outside the eight and simply have so much more to play for than the Titans who have been drawing dead for some time now. 

Keep an eye on Sea Eagles flyer Jason Saab too who seems to have rediscovered his try-scoring touch.

Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles. 

Betting tip: Jason Saab first try scorer. 

The Dolphins vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction 

Sunday, July 19, 4:05pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium 

The final game of NRL Round 20 is an all-Queensland affair with the Dolphins welcoming the Cowboys to Suncorp Stadium.

Now, we knew the Phins would miss main man and halfback Isaiya Katoa, but not this much.

In their first game since Katoa was sidelined with a fractured wrist, the highly rated Redcliffe outfit inexplicably lost 66-0 to the Sharks, at Suncorp no less.

There have been some truly shocking results this season, but that one takes the cake by some distance. 

It also slams the Dolphins straight in the “do not tip” basket., particularly against a Cowboy’s side who will be riding high after their golden point victory over Manly last week. 

Head-to-head prediction: North Queensland Cowboys. 

Betting tip: Scott Drinkwater anytime try scorer. 

Parramatta Eels – BYE 

After last week’s loss to the Roosters, their 11th of the season, Parramatta fans get some reprieve this week in the form of the bye.