<p>The race for the 2025 NRL minor premiership is heating up to all new levels. The Raiders keep rolling, the Bulldogs are back, the Storm have slipped, and the Warriors will not waiver.</p> <p>That’s not the only race being run right now. There’s a serious log jam from 7th to 10th as four sides all scrap to make the eight.</p> <p>Then there’s the race nobody wants to win. The good old race to the bottom, the battle for, or well, to avoid, the wooden spoon.</p> <p>There’s realistically five teams that can still finish bottom of the pile, so points have never been more important for the serial strugglers looking to avoid one last shot of ultimate shame.</p> <p>With plenty of plots to be played out across the full length of the ladder, there’s arguably never been a better time to hook into our expert NRL tips and predictions.</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our NRL round 21 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, July 24, 7:50pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Start as you mean to go on. The opening game of NRL round 21 is an absolute beauty, with old foes the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm meeting at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.</p> <p>Both lost last week in games they would have fancied their chances in before kick-off.</p> <p>There’s not a whole lot of shame for the Chooks losing to the Sharks on the road, but for the Storm they would have fully expected to beat Manly, particularly at AAMI Park.</p> <p>That slip up could cost them the minor premiership, but Storm supporters relax, your boys are still the outright favourites for the Provan-Summons trophy.</p> <p>They’re also outright favourites to win this one, which we think they will, but don’t expect the Roosters to go quietly in front of their own.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-melbourne-storm-9416617">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Xavier Coates first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 25, 6:00pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s effectively curtains for North Queensland in season 2025 and the Dragons are all but on their last life.</p> <p>The Cowboys continued their recent trend of conceding piles of points against the Phins last week, in a showing that pretty much put a big red line through their finals hopes.</p> <p>Speaking of finals’ hopes, the Dragons top eight chances are on life support after their last gasp loss to the Bulldogs.</p> <p>It was a result that was not befitting of their efforts and there’s even an argument that the last pass that led to their undoing floating a fraction forward.</p> <p>Fired up from that potential injustice and with slightly more to play for than their hosts in NRL round 21, we’re going against the odds and tipping the Dragons to win up in Townsville.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-9416618">St George Illawarra Dragons.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyrell Sloan first try scorer.</p>

<h2>Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Friday, July 25, 8:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Back from their bye the Brisbane Broncos get to welcome the electric-less Eels to Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>Fresh from a week off, on a five-game winning streak, and with all their stars now back on deck, could this be where the Broncos mount a charge for the top four and potentially the title?</p> <p>The potential is certainly there, particularly as they should be picking up the points this week against an Eels side that are drawing dead in season 2025 and as a result have decided to throw the baby out with the bath water.</p> <p>The baby in this case is departing million-dollar man Dylan Brown, who has been dropped to allow others to gain experience in first grade as Jason Ryles sees little benefit in providing opportunities for a player who will not be at the club in 2026.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-parramatta-eels-9416625">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Broncos 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 26, 3:00pm AEST – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Credit where credit is due, regardless of what ends up happening with the Warriors this season, they deserve their flowers.</p> <p>Written off at the start of the season, then written off again once Luke Metcalf’s season was cruelly ended by injury, the Wahs simply refuse to roll over.</p> <p>This resilience was on full display last start as they produced one of the most insane passages of play at the death against the Knights to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.</p> <p>Trailing 15-14 with the siren about to sound, Tanah Boyd attempted to fire off a miracle field goal to tie up proceedings. His effort was charged down by the Newcastle defenders, but the ball then fell to backrower Leka Halasima who took off and scored a solo stunner to win the game.</p> <p>Riding high off this remarkable result we anticipate that at home the Warriors will be far too good for a Titans side freefalling towards the wooden spoon.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-gold-coast-titans-9416635">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 26, 5:30pm AEST – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The party Penrith have decided to throw in the second half of the season just keeps on raging after they picked up win number six on the spin last week against South Sydney.</p> <p>Their opponents this week the Tigers grabbed a rare win last week, with a last gasp Adam Doueihi field goal seeing them to a dramatic 21-20 win over the Titans.</p> <p>You’d imagine if the Tigers are to pull off an insane upset here, it would have to be by a similar margin to the one they won by last week.</p> <p>Unfortunately for the Tigers faithful, we can’t see them even remotely getting in range of such a scoreline. A seventh straight victim loading for Penrith? We think so.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-wests-tigers-9416637">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Taylan May first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 26, 7:35pm AEST – Industree Group Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Speaking on Penrith victims, that’s what South Sydney became last week, with the Panthers condemning them to a seventh straight defeat.</p> <p>There’s only so much they can do in their current predicament, and it appears not even the master coach Wayne Bennett is equipped to deal with an injury crisis of this magnitude.</p> <p>The only silver lining is that veteran winger Alex Johnston continues to inch closer to become the NRL’s all-time leading try scorer.</p> <p>Against the Sharks this week we are tipping for Johnston to take another step towards breaking Ken Irvine’s record and for Souths struggles to continue with the Sharks circling.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-cronulla-sharks-9416641">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Alex Johnston anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 27, 2:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Raiders left it late to roll the Eels last week, but once they did click into gear, they reminded everyone why they are currently top of the pops.</p> <p>From trailing 16-12 with 60 minutes played, to winning 40-16 thanks to a 20-minute blitz, Canberra can really pile on the points when they get going and now the Knights are next on the chopping block.</p> <p>We can’t see Newcastle picking themselves up off the canvas and offering much resistance here after the way in which they went down to the Wahs last week. So, we’ll be taking Canberra by plenty at home.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canberra-raiders-v-newcastle-knights-9416643">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Canberra 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 27, 4:05pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 21 should be one of the closest as the Bulldogs welcome the Sea Eagles to Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Both of these sides recorded stunning victories last week, both by a margin of two points, meaning we should be in for an absolute corker here.</p> <p>The Sea Eagles ambushed the Storm down in Melbourne, while new Bulldogs recruit silenced his critics with a match winning display that included a try and a game-stealing assist.</p> <p>If young gun Galvin continues this kind of form, it could be enough to not only catapult the Doggies to victory here, but also their first minor premiership since 2012.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-manly-sea-eagles-9416644">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Lachlan Galvin anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>The Dolphins – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After another high-scoring victory that keeps them in touch with the top 8, The Dolphins get a well-earned week off to put their phins up and relax.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>