<p>Footy fans get ready, because NRL round 23 is set to be headlined by a number of local derbies.</p> <p>First there is the always ferocious “Battle of the West” between Penrith and Parramatta on Friday night.</p> <p>Then we head north for the always thrilling and high-scoring Queensland Derby between the Broncos and the Cowboys on Saturday arvo.</p> <p>In addition to these two must-watch matches, there are also a number of other games that will have huge bearings on the race for the eight, top four and the wooden spoon.</p> <p>As always, NRL round 23 is simply not to be missed, so let’s take a look at how proceedings may unfold this weekend.</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, odds and more, check out our NRL round 23 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 8, 7:50pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Starting things off in NRL round 23 are the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.</p> <p>The Bunnies season officially flatlined last week after their loss to the Sharks. Injuries and suspensions put an end to their remarkable mid-season revival which saw them go from dead-last, to genuine top eight contenders.</p> <p>With nothing left to play for and virtually an entire salary cap worth of talent sidelined, they have little to no hope here against the table-topping Storm, despite Melbourne losing to St George last week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-melbourne-storm-8444162">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Big win little win – Melbourne 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 9, 6:00pm AEST – Robina Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The kids are alright on the Gold Coast, with young flyers Keano Kini, Jojo Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira tearing shreds out of Sunshine State rivals Brisbane last time out.</p> <p>The Titans simply embarrassed the Broncos, while all but ending their season with a dominant 46-18 win on the Glitter Strip.</p> <p>Injuries have hit their opponents this week, Cronulla, at exactly the wrong time. They find themselves without a halfback heading into NRL round 23 after second-choice no.7 Braydon Trindall went down on the weekend with a hamstring injury.</p> <p>He was deputising and in some style for main man Nicho Hynes who won’t be back until at least potentially the first week of the finals.</p> <p>There are whispers that dummy-half Blayke Brailey will now step into the halfback role for Craig Fitzgibbon’s men.</p> <p>This spine shake up could be enough for the resurgent Titans to get over the line here and keep their once seemingly impossible finals dream alive.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-cronulla-sharks-8444171">Gold Coast Titans.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Keano Kini, Jojo Fifita and Khan-Pereira anytime try scorers.</p>

<h2>Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 9, 8:00pm AEST – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eels picked up a rare win without Mitchell Moses last week against the Warriors, but it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do so again here.</p> <p>With the Storm slipping up, the Panthers are once again on the hunt for top spot as Nathan Cleary turned in yet another match winning performance since returning from injury.</p> <p>Even though Parra do have a surprisingly good recent record against their western rivals, they’ve won two out of their last three against the perennial powerhouse, all the hoodoo in the world won’t be able to save them here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-penrith-panthers-8444172">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Blaze Talagi anytime try scorer and Nathan Cleary 12+ points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 10, 3:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The fully rested Sea Eagles will try and capitalise on the downtrodden Raiders, who were pipped by the Doggies last week in a 22-18 thriller.</p> <p>That loss might prove to be a cruel blow to their top eight aspirations as they now sit two points outside of equal eighth.</p> <p>The Sea Eagles sit in seventh and will want to sure up their position with a number of teams breathing down their neck heading into the final month of the season.</p> <p>This should be a close one, but we’re backing the Sea Eagles to do just that and scrape their way to victory here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canberra-raiders-v-manly-sea-eagles-8444173">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 10, 5:30pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>That’s all she wrote for Brisbane in 2024. Last year’s grand finalists appear destined to miss out on finals footy after their loss to the Titans last week left them in 14th with four rounds to play.</p> <p>To make matters worse both Payne Haas and Ezra Mam both failed to even make it to half time of the defeat on the Gold Coast, due to injury and will most likely be unable to face the red-hot Cowboys.</p> <p>Todd Payten’s men have won their last three in a row and at home against their local rivals who are in complete disarray are good value to make it four.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-brisbane-broncos-8444175">North Queensland Cowboys.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>Feldt, Nanai &amp; Mariner to combine for 3+. Both the Cowboys and Broncos left hand sides having all sorts of defensive problems. $2.88. Yes please.</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Kyle Feldt/Jeremiah Nanai/Deine Mariner <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-brisbane-broncos-8444175">Player A, B or C to combine for 3+ Tries</a>.</p>

<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 10, 7:35pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Looks like the Bulldogs are the real deal. They’re quickly closing in on the top four and have won four of their last five, including their most recent game against the Raiders.</p> <p>Defence has been the key to the Doggies recent success, and it was on show once again as they held on to a one try lead against a fast-finishing Green Machine to see out the match 22-18.</p> <p>The form of star signing Stephen Crichton mirrors that of his side at the moment, with the NSW centre producing a number of magic match-winning plays last start.</p> <p>When he and his teammates are in this sort of form, they can beat nearly any side in the competition. With the Dragons being one of them.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-canterbury-bulldogs-8444179">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>12 of the 19 Buldogs matches in ‘24 their opponent has scored between 11-20. We won on this last week and at the $2.70 be rude to not go back to the well.</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>St George Illawarra Dragons <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-canterbury-bulldogs-8444179">11 to 20 Points Totals Points Band</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, August 11, 2:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After being involved in one of the craziest games of rugby league you are ever likely to see, the Dolphins return to Queensland to host the New Zealand Warriors.</p> <p>They went down 40-34 in a see-sawing encounter to the Roosters that had no less than nine different try scorers and saw the lead change multiple times.</p> <p>Meanwhile, what has happened at the Warriors this season? They went down at home to cellar dwellers Parramatta, in a showing that effectively ends their season.</p> <p>With nothing to play for here and on the road to a Dolphins side who will be desperate to play finals foody in just their second ever season in the NRL, we expect them to offer minimal resistance.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-new-zealand-warriors-8444186">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Jack Bostock first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 11, 4:05pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 23 sees the Newcastle Knights welcome everyone’s favourite whipping boy, the Wests Tigers to the Hunter Valley.</p> <p>The Knights can still make the eight, despite losing last week, but they can’t really afford to drop any more points from here on out.</p> <p>Luckily, they get to face the Tigers this week who are winless in their last six and seem destined to win their third consecutive wooden spoon.</p> <p>That being said, they did battle bravely in their most recent loss, a 78-point contest, in which they simply would not go away, despite having to play most of the second half down a man, after Justin Olam was sent off.</p> <p>There were signs of improvement despite tasting defeat, but not enough to convince us they are capable of winning here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-wests-tigers-8444192">Newcastle Knights.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After their crazy 74-point thriller against the Dolphins, which is right up there as a contender for the game of the season, the Sydney Roosters get a well-deserved week off in NRL round 23.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>