<p>The race to the finals is heating up! But, with three weeks to play in the 2025 NRL season, is the top eight set?</p> <p>Losses from the Dolphins in the battle of Brisbane and the Sea Eagles dropping one to the Tigers have seen the top eight teams take shape. While there's still a mathematical chance that this could change, it appears to be a jostle for starting positions on the grid now.&nbsp;</p> <p>It sets up a juicy start to Round 25, with a blockbuster double-header on Friday night, followed by a virtual Elimination Final early Saturday –&nbsp; where someone's hopes will be extinguished for good.&nbsp;</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRL round 25 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons&nbsp; Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 21, 7:50pm AEST – Accor Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We said it was a hot start, but the fixture makers are making us wait a bit for the good stuff.. We’ve got the Bunnies and the Dragons to kick us off here first.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bunnies have been looking to next season for a few weeks now, but the rise they would have gotten off two wins in a row and lifting themselves off the bottom of the ladder is surely giving fans some late-season nourishment.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wayne Bennett will continue to experiment, mixing kids around his old core and try to teach them a few new tricks. The instruction might be to feed Alex Johnston as he edges closer to the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/most-nrl-tries">all-time try-scoring record.&nbsp;</a></p> <p>The Dragons were pipped by the Warriors last week, ending their faint finals chances, and you’d suspect they will be out to blow off some steam against the lowly Bunnies here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-9508034">St George Illawarra Dragons</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>under total match points</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 22, 6:00pm AEST – Glenn Willow Oval, Mudgee</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A country blockbuster to kick off the Friday double-header.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Panthers' first half against the Storm last week might have been the best half of footy played this season. Yet, they didn’t come away with their 11th win on the bounce courtesy of a late penalty, and some witchcraft &amp; wizardry from a bloke called Harry.&nbsp;</p> <p>With their winning streak now broken as they hit the road for their annual trip to Mudgee to host the ladder-leading Raiders, their game is still in very good order.</p> <p>Although Ricky Stuart would be imploring his side not to let an opportunity like this slip. Not just because of how well they’re going, but they can put Penrith’s season back onto thin ice with little margin for error.&nbsp;</p> <p>Speaking of errors, how rare was it to see Dylan Edwards make them last week against the Storm? Someone get that man some grippo, please! We expect him to bounce back in a big way.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-canberra-raiders-9508043">Penrith Panthers</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Scott Sorensen anytime try scorer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 22, 8:00pm AEST – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Harry Houdini did it again!</p> <p>Not for the first time this season, the Storm skipper dived deep into his bag of tricks and pulled out the matchwinner in ‘Golden Point’ to lock in yet another top-four finish for the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>Now, after locking that in, they get some perfect preparation in the form of a late-season top-four clash against the Bulldogs at home. A dress rehearsal ahead of the finals if you will.</p> <p>The Dogs have been so good all year, but appear to be faltering at the wrong time.</p> <p>A 20-point loss to the Roosters has seen their grip on a top-four spot loosen ever so slightly, making the need to get a result highly desirable.&nbsp;</p> <p>Boom recruit Lachie Galvin has continued to settle in the Blue and White. Tyran Wishart has performed admirably, filling the massive shoes of Jahrome Hughes, as it’s set to be another interesting battle between the two 7s.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Storm are hopeful, too, that their main man, Pappi, will be back from his latest setback.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Both these sides will be there come September, but the result of this one might just determine who stays at home during week one.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hot tip Victorians, the game at the G isn’t great this Friday night… It’s across the road where you want to be!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9508046">Melbourne Storm</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Eliesa Katoa anytime try scorer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 3:00pm AEST –&nbsp; 4 Pines Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s knockout footy to start our Saturday’s action as the Dolphins come down to play the Sea Eagles in what is virtually an Elimination Final.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both these sides are in last-chance saloon territory. While making the finals remains mathematically possible for both sides (more so for the Dolphins), a loss here would be curtains for the 2025 campaign.&nbsp;</p> <p>Injuries are hitting the Dolphins at the wrong time of the season. They’re looking deep within their stocks to field a competitive team that can give them a fighting chance to be there for a maiden finals appearance.&nbsp;</p> <p>Manly’s season is on life support, but a win here could give them one final throw at the stumps with two to play.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-dolphins-9508073">The Dolphins</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow first try scorer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans vs NZ Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 5:30pm AEST – CBus Super Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I guess there’s only one way of getting any lower than dropping to last place on the NRL ladder. That’s getting a half-century put on you by the opposition.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s been another long season for Titans fans, who the attention now turns to Des and his coaching future again… are these the final throws of his stint up on the coast?</p> <p>The tasks don’t get any easier coming up against the Warriors. While they’re locked into finals, they still have much to play for in the bid to lock up a top-four spot. That home final for the Wah’s might be the difference in how far they go this season.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-new-zealand-warriors-9508074">NZ Warriors</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win/ little win, Warriors 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 7:35pm AEST – Commbank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's too little too late for the Eels in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>If only there was a way they could ensure that Mitch Moses doesn’t get injured and miss a chunk of footy mid-season? Maybe then they would have a fighting chance.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roosters have hit a nice patch of form as they look to sew up their finals spot. Three wins in a row now, they’re finishing the home and away season full of running.</p> <p>While they’re not 100% safe yet, a win here gets them closer. And then who knows what can happen from there.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-sydney-roosters-9508075">Sydney Roosters</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM: Daniel Tupou + Mark Nawaqanitawase anytime try scorer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 24, 2:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Knights might have avoided the indignity of moving out of the wooden spoon position, but they’re still battling away trying to find something to smile about.&nbsp;</p> <p>Six losses on the bounce, and it’s hard to see them coming up with something special here as they host the Broncos.</p> <p>While still sitting comfortably enough in the top - eight, the Broncos have yo-yo’ed the win/ loss column over the past six weeks. A mixture of injuries to star players and facing some good teams will do that to you.</p> <p>That said though, if they lose here, then ask yourselves, will they really deserve their place in the finals if they do get there?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-brisbane-broncos-9508080">Brisbane Broncos</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Kotoni Staggs anytime try scorer&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 24, 4:05pm AEST – Leichhardt Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers and Cowboys finish us off for the weekend with a fairly inconsequential clash in the context of the remainder of the season.</p> <p>You have to give credit to the Tigers, they’ve fought hard this season and taken a few strides under Benji… while they’re still, kind of, technically, mathematically still a chance to make the eight at the moment, they just don’t have many good players that can take them to winning games consistently.</p> <p>Winning three games in a row for the first time in god knows how long would be a really nice thing.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-9508081">West Tigers</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Scott Drinkwater first try scorer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It'll be a nervous bye week for the Sharkies. On a couple of fronts.</p> <p>The First, working out how on earth they are going to replace Cam McInnes for the finals after he suffered a dreaded ACL injury.</p> <p>The Second… sitting in a vulnerable position inside the top eight and almost having fate dictated to them.</p> <p>While they aren’t at risk of falling out of the eight this week, it’s all about positioning and becoming the team at most risk of finding yourself on the road for the first week of finals, or even missing out at all.</p> <p>So, they’re barracking for the Eels this week to give them some more breathing room.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds:</h2>