NRL Round 21 is shaping up to be one of the rounds of the season, with derbies aplenty and the race for the top 8 taking centre stage.

Champions-elect Penrith will be out to bounce back from last week’s shock loss to the struggling Broncos when they take on the equally struggling Eels in the Battle of the West.

Speaking of the Broncos, they’ll be looking to go back-to-back when they square up against Sunshine State rivals the Cowboys in the original Queensland derby.

Other memorable matchups this week include the free scoring Sea Eagles and Sharks going toe-to-toe and a couple of master coaches in Wayne Benett and Craig Bellamy trying to outwit one another when the Rabbitohs welcome the Storm to Sydney.

With this many cracking contests on the cards some expert analysis and betting advice wouldn’t go astray, so here you go!

For all the latest news, analysis, and predictions ahead of this week's action, check out our NRL Round 21 tips and predictions below. 

Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers Prediction

Thursday, July 23, 7:50pm AEST – CommBank Stadium 

NRL Round 21 opens with the latest instalment of ‘The Battle of the West’ as the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers do battle at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night. 

The Eels will be fully rested and should have their ducks in a row after last week’s bye, but this week off might not be as big of an advantage as it seems.

A quick look at recent stat lines and you’ll find that Penrith has won each of their last six matches when playing with a rest disadvantage. 

They will also be desperate to atone for their shock loss to Brisbane last start, going down by two points on their own patch despite sitting some 13 places above the Broncos at the time.

With the Eels sitting even lower than the Broncos were, we can’t see the table-topping Panthers dropping points against cellar-dwellers in back-to-back matches. 

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers. 

Betting tip: Thomas Jenkins first try scorer.

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Prediction

Friday, July 24, 6:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium

Friday’s NRL Round 21 action gets underway with a clash that will have huge bearings on the race for the top four.

Both the Knights and the Roosters have been touted as top four contenders for a large chunk of the season, and the Chooks are certainly living up to that billing. 

They have a two-point buffer in third and are still right in the minor premiership race as well. 

Meanwhile, back-to-back two-point losses have somewhat derailed the Knights quaddie hopes, and we’re backing the Roosters, who are set to welcome back reigning Dally M Medallist James Tedesco this week, to land a nearly fatal blow to those aspirations this week. 

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters. 

Betting tip: James Tedesco anytime try scorer.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Prediction

Friday, July 24, 8:00pm AEST – Accor Stadium

Two of the game’s greatest minds will meet when Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney side welcome Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne outfit to Accor Stadium on Friday night. 

Melbourne have an imposing record over the Rabbitohs, but only in Melbourne. The stats show that the Bunnies love bouncing their opponents at this venue and have won each of their last six matches at this venue.

Add to this record the fact that the Storm are seriously decimated at the moment, with both Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes out of this one and it becomes far less surprising to see that Souths are expected to win this one. 

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Betting tip: Cody Walker to score and assist. 

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers Prediction

Saturday, July 25, 3:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium

Just in case you forgot, the Tigers were sitting second after the first six rounds of this season.

If you did forget, we don’t blame you. Since then, a collapse for the ages has erased any evidence of a team that were once being whispered of as under the radar title contenders.

You can trace the Tigers downfall back to the news of Luai’s defection to PNG (via the Eels) a downfall which hit a new low last week.

Their 32-0 loss to the 11th placed Bulldogs was not only a complete shutout, but also their fifth defeat in a row.

Up against a Raiders side who are rocketing up the rankings, we aren’t holding out much hope for the Tigers are their tortured fan base. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canberra Raiders.

Betting tip: Kaeo Weekes first try scorer. 

Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction

Saturday, July 25, 5:30pm AEST – Accor Stadium

The Warriors will look to continue their push for top spot on the ladder when they travel across the Tasman to take on the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

Despite being below their best, the Wahs keep getting the job done, something which is the hallmark of a championship side.

Their sluggish 20-12 win over the last-placed Dragons wasn’t pretty but was enough to help them keep pace with the Panthers.

We anticipate another low scoring slog here against the Bulldogs and we no longer doubt the Warriors ability to find a way to win, particularly in games such as this. 

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors. 

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction

Saturday, July 25, 7:30pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Surely not? With the full contingent finally back on deck, could the Broncos be about to mount another unlikely late-season charge? Stranger things have happened, so get the toilet water on standby just in case. 

It’s no surprise that having Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and Ben Hunt all back together yielded a positive return for Brisbane, but it is a surprise that said return was against Penrith.

That two-point away win could be the catalyst for a late-season revival from the Broncs, starting here against local rivals the Cowboys.

Despite main man Tom Dearden returning (and scoring) from a long injury layoff, North Queensland couldn’t best a recently beat-down Dolphins team. 

We’re tipping them to lose back-to-back Queensland Derbies, with the Brisbane sneaking home in a thriller, which is typical whenever these two meet. 

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Broncos. 

Betting tip: SGM – Reece Walsh and Tom Dearden anytime try scorers. 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction

Sunday, July 26, 2:00pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium

Sunday’s Round 21 action starts with everyone’s favourite whipping boys the Dragons searching for just their third win of the season. 

Standing in their way are the Titans, who finally found a result to match their recent effort. 

They outlasted Manly in a 70-point shootout and will head down to Jubilee Stadium full of confidence after running in some stunning tries against a stunned Sea Eagles side.

With the last-placed Dragons still firmly on the no-tip list, our decision is an easy one here. 

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Titans. 

Betting tip: Jojo Fifita to score 2+ tries. 

Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction

Sunday, July 26, 4:05pm AEST – Brookvale Oval

The final game of NRL Round 21 sees the Sea Eagles return home desperate to rediscover the magic of Fozball against a red-hot Cronulla side. 

The Sharks swam further into the top four last start with a hard-fought win over Newcastle, while the Sea Eagles dropped outside of the eight altogether.

The blows kept coming for Manly with talisman Tommy Turbo suffering yet another hamstring injury, which will rule him out of this one. 

It appears the Sea Eagles seem destined to finish their season as they started it, with a losing streak, unless they can find a way to stop the bleeding, quickly.

Unfortunately, we can’t see them getting the best of a Shark’s side who are gunning for win number four on the spin, particularly without the services of Turbo who opened the scoring in the first minute last week.  

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks. 

Betting tip: Sione Katoa first try scorer. 

The Dolphins – BYE 

After bouncing back from their 66-0 mauling from the Sharks with an impressive 36-16 win over the Cowboys, the Dolphins have certainly earned their week off in NRL Round 21.