<p>With NRL round 24 up next it means we are officially in the final month of the regular season.</p> <p>Some sides are already finals bound, while others can start booking their end of season holidays.</p> <p>There are a handful however who are still fighting for finals footy and every game over the next four weeks is simply do-or-die for them.</p> <p>NRL round 24 could spell the end of the road for some of these teams, while there is also a potential minor premiership deciding clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm to look forward to.</p> <p>With plenty of action on all parts of the table, there’s something for everyone in NRL round 24, so don’t miss it!</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, odds and more, check out our NRL round 24 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 15, 7:50pm AEST – Penrith Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What a way to kick off NRL round 24! Is this an early preview of the 2024 Grand Final?</p> <p>The odds as well as logic and reason would lead us to believe so. Melbourne currently sit just one win abovePenrith, with just a single unconverted try worth of cushioning in the points differential department.</p> <p>That means if Penrith win this game by five or more, they will steal top spot with just three games to play. Can they do it?</p> <p>Since the return of Nathan Cleary, the Panthers haven’t lost, but none of their wins have been super convincing scoreboard-wise.</p> <p>Their results since the halfbacks return have been 28-26 against the Dolphins, 46-10 against the Dragons, 22-14 against the Knights and 36-34 against the Eels.</p> <p>Only the Dragons result was commanding with the rest usually requiring some late game heroics. However, whenever they were required, late-game heroics were always produced.</p> <p>This highlights the resilience and most importantly, mentality of this side. The mentality of premiers, minor or regular.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-melbourne-storm-8459711">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar says:</strong>&nbsp;Panthers have conceded 35 tries on their right versus just 16 on their left. Anderson looking very comfortable on that left wing.</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Grant Anderson <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-melbourne-storm-8459711">Anytime Tryscorer</a>.</p>

<h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 16, 6:00pm AEST – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If it wasn’t already official, now it is, the Warriors are unfortunately finished for 2024.</p> <p>Any mathematical hope they had of scraping into the eight was ended last week by the Dolphins in one of the games of the season.</p> <p>At least the Wahs can say they went out swinging, with only a spectacular Sean O’Sullivan field goal in golden point the difference between them and the Phins in a 34-32 thriller.</p> <p>With nothing left to play for and away against a Sea Eagles side who very much still have a top four finish on their mind, it seems foolish to back the Kiwis in here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-new-zealand-warriors-8459716">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Manly 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 16, 8:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For a side with nothing to play for Parra certainly gave their all against the seemingly unstoppable Panthers in their most recent outing.</p> <p>If not for a final 14-minute fade out and Clint Gutherson shank in front of the sticks, they could very well have got the best of their Western rivals last time out.</p> <p>The manner in which they lost would be enough to destroy the confidence of any side, let alone one residing near the foot of the ladder.</p> <p>This week against a rested and ready Roosters side, it’s hard to see the Eels getting up here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-parramatta-eels-8459725">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sitili Tupouniua anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 17, 3:00pm AEST – Salter Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is a sneaky contender for the game of NRL round 24, with both of these sides playing eye-catching footy at the moment.</p> <p>The Dolphins pulled off a golden point miracle against the Warriors to launch themselves back into the eight last week, while the Bulldogs picked up their third straight win, to keep them in touch with the top four.</p> <p>The Dogs’ defence has been what has catapulted them towards the upper echelons of the table and in their string of three consecutive wins they are yet to concede over 20 points.</p> <p>The blue and white brick wall will need to be at its sturdiest if they are to contain the Dolphins’ numerous attacking weapons such as: Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jake Averillo.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-dolphins-8459726">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Bronson Xerri and Jake Averillo anytime try scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 17, 5:30pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Well that came out of nowhere. North Queensland ended a run of three straight wins with a cataclysmic implosion against Sunshine State rivals the Broncos.</p> <p>They were up 18-6, before conceding 36 unanswered points in front of their own fans to go down 42-18.</p> <p>Everyone is allowed an off week, so we’re not selling our stock in the Cowboys yet, but there could be a fire sale if they can’t win at home against the 11th placed Raiders this week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-canberra-raiders-8459739">North Queensland Cowboys</a>.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Raiders’ line.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 17, 7:35pm AEST – Campbelltown Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two teams who are run and done for season 2024, meet in round 24 with only pride on the line.</p> <p>Don’t be deterred from tuning in to this one though, there’s always drama when the Tigers take on the Rabbits.</p> <p>They met only a few weeks ago, with the Cardinal and Myrtle coming out on top of a 70-point epic.</p> <p>In the four weeks since however, the Rabbitohs have picked up ever more injures and at one of their spiritual homes in Campbelltown Stadium, the Tigers present excellent value to pick up their first win in eight games.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-8459745">Wests Tigers.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar says:</strong>&nbsp;Wingers against the Tigers are cashing in big time. Fletcher Sharpe got four&nbsp;last week, Murray Taulagi three the&nbsp;week prior and on it goes.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip:</strong> Fletcher Myers To <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-8459745">Score 2+ Tries</a>.</p>

<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 18, 2:00pm AEST – Wollongong Showgrounds</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ahh good old Fold Coast, you’ve done it again. Just as talk of a miracle run to the finals was building, you had to go and, shocker, fold.</p> <p>The titans backed up their epic win over M1 rivals Brisbane with a 44-0 stinker at home to the Sharks and now have to hit the road to take on the Dragons.</p> <p>The biggest concern for St George heading into this one will be the availability of five-eighth Kyle Flannagan who clearly missed out on the halftime oranges, after he was accused of biting Bulldogs’ captain Stephen Crichton last week.</p> <p>Despite this, seeing as they are very much still alive in the race for the eight, you’d expect the Dragons to really sink their teeth into this game, particularly at home.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-gold-coast-titans-8459746">St George Illawarra Dragons.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Zac Lomax to score 12+ points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 18, 4:05pm AEST – Shark Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No halfback, no problem. The Sharks romped to a 44-0 win away on the Gold Coast despite hooker Blayke Brailey deputising at no.7 due to injuries to both Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall.</p> <p>They wrap up NRL round 24 by welcoming the Newcastle Knights to Shark Park in a game that should produce more meat pies than your local bakery.</p> <p>Speaking of four-pointers, you could say the Knights attack looked very Sharpe in their win over the Tigers, with young flyer Fletcher Sharpe reeling in four of the best last start.</p> <p>He’s one to watch in your bet slips from here until regular season’s end, but probably not after that, as we’re tipping the Sharks to put a massive dent in any finals aspirations the Knights may have left in round 24.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-newcastle-knights-8459749">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar says:</strong>&nbsp;Are the Knights really going to score 20 points against&nbsp;Cronulla at Shark Park?</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip:</strong> Newcastle Knights <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-newcastle-knights-8459749">Total Points Under</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Broncos – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After a season-prolonging win against Queensland rivals the Cowboys, the Broncos get gifted another two crucial two competition points thanks to the bye this week. Can they still make the eight?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>