<p>Just like that we’ve arrived at the penultimate round of one of the craziest and most entertaining NRL seasons in years.</p> <p>Yes, do not adjust your devices, NRL round 26 really is the second last round of the regular season, but fear not, Rugby League won’t be going quietly.</p> <p>There is still a plethora of massive matchups and season-long storylines that need to be played out.</p> <p>26 rounds in, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-minor-premiership-2025-8718318">minor premiership</a>, spots in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-top-8-finish-2025-8718007">the top eight</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-least-wins-wooden-spoon-2025-8718319">the wooden spoon</a> are all still up for grabs.</p> <p>With so much to look forward to, let’s take a look at all the upcoming action of NRL round 26 and see if we can find some diamonds in the roughies.</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRL round 26 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 28, 7:50pm AEST – Accor Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The opening game of NRL round 26 carries massive implications for the make up of the top four.</p> <p>After losing last week to the Raiders in arguably the most insane way ever seen on a Rugby League pitch, the Panthers remarkable revival has well and truly screeched to a halt.</p> <p>In scenes that had to be seen to be believed, it looked like Nathan Cleary had done it once again for the Panthers as his field goal soared towards the uprights two minutes into their golden point tussle with the Raiders.</p> <p>The Rugby League gods had other ideas, as it crashed off the post and fell to the Raiders who promptly went the length in the same play, scoring one of the tries of the season and winning the match 20-16.</p> <p>This leaves the defending champs in seventh and in real danger of missing out on the top four.</p> <p>They face the third placed Bulldogs this week, who finished their match against the strong like a house on fire, although it was a case of too little too late as they went down 20-14 in Melbourne.</p> <p>Still, if they can pick up where they left off here, we can see them ensuring Penrith miss out on the top four for the first time in over five years.</p> <p>That will also mean that if Ivan Cleary’s men want to make it five premierships on thew spin, they’ll have to make history, as no side outside of the top four has ever lifted the Provans-Summons trophy in the modern era.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-penrith-panthers-9540558">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Jacob Kiraz first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 29, 6:00pm AEST – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Does anyone else want to doubt the Warriors and make themselves look foolish? Written off at the start of the season, the kiwi club surged into title contention or a string of strong performances.</p> <p>Then, when star man Luke Metcalf was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, it was almost accepted as a well-known fact that the Warriors would eventually drop out of the top four.</p> <p>Well, with two games to go the Wahs still sit proudly in fourth and seem hellbent on taking a run on the title, regardless of who is fit and available for selection.</p> <p>If the Eels play like they did last week against the Roosters, they have the potential to play party poopers, but in New Zealand, we’re going to do the opposite of what most have done this year and back the Warriors in.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-parramatta-eels-9540559">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 29, 8:00pm AEST – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Look out Roosters’ fans, that mini revival might have been in vain. Last week’s shock loss to the Eels, paired with this trip to Melbourne, could spell the end for their finals’ hopes.</p> <p>A loss here, which seems likely given their record at AAMI Park, their current form and Melbourne’s refusal to seemingly ever lose at home, will see them drop out of the eight should the Dolphins win.</p> <p>Oh yeah, the Dolphins are playing the last-placed Titans, at home no less. Uh oh.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-sydney-roosters-9540560">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ryan Papenhuyzen first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 30, 3:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We finally believe. It’s taken 25 rounds of free flowing footy, an epic winning streak and the most remarkable golden point victory you’ll ever see, but we are now declaring 2025 the year of the Milk.</p> <p>Forget Melbourne, forget Penrith, the Green Machine and their bevy of young stars continue to get it done time and time again and we’re backing them for the minor premiership, the Provan-Summons trophy and unsurprisingly, for the win here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canberra-raiders-v-wests-tigers-9540561">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Ethan Strange first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 30, 5:30pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So, you’re saying there’s a chance? After a crazy 58-30 win over the Dolphins last week, Manly have retained a mathematical chance of playing finals footy in 2025.</p> <p>Luke Brooks, Lehi Hopoate and Tom Trbojevic all crossed for doubles last week and are all good value to find the line again here against a Dragons side who conceded 40 unanswered points to struggling South Sydney.</p> <p>This is just the match up required for the Sea Eagles to keep their slim finals hopes alive.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-manly-sea-eagles-9540563">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Manly 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 30, 7:35pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>NRL Round 26’s Saturday action comes to a close with a Queensland Derby up in Townsville as the Cowboys take on the Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.</p> <p>Despite losing both of their starting halves the Broncos have managed to stay in the top four race and will be hoping the Warriors lose to Parramatta so they can jump ahead of them with a win here.</p> <p>While it’s always handy to be able to sub in a veteran representative player like Ben Hunt into the halves, Billy Walters deserves his flowers for his recent performance at No.6.</p> <p>As does Reece Walsh who has finally hit top form at the back, really stepping up in the absence of both Reynolds and Mam to ensure the Broncos attack flair remains well and truly alive.</p> <p>With nothing left to play for, we don’t think the Cowboys will be able to upset the Broncs here, but don’t expect them to go quietly, these games always deliver drama of the highest order.</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-9540565">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Reece Walsh anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 31, 2:00pm AEST – Shark Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The penultimate match of the penultimate regular season round sees the Sharks welcome the Knights to the Shire on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Not much to report on here, the Knights are dreadful, and the Sharks are surging, as well as fully rested after a bye.</p> <p>We like Cronulla by plenty here, with the only thing between the Knights and the wooden spoon being the equally as hapless Titans.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-newcastle-knights-9540566">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Big win little win – Sharks 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 31, 4:05pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We’ve got another all-Queensland affair to conclude NRL round 26 as the Dolphins welcome the Titans to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.</p> <p>The Dolphins still harbour ambitions of playing finals football for the first time but will have to win here to have any chance of making that dream a reality in 2025.</p> <p>They were on the wrong side of an 88-point epic against Manly last start, which has left their destiny out of their hands, as they’ll need the Roosters to now drop points in either of their final two outings.</p> <p>Still, against a Titans side who are dead last and who have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/gold-coast-titans-sack-des-hasler">announced the dismissal of Des Hasler at season’s end</a>, this is the perfect opportunity to keep the heat on and maintain their goal of ultimately cooking the Chooks.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-gold-coast-titans-9540567">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Trai Fuller first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After their shock 40-0 shutout of St George last start, that should see them avoid the spoon, South Sydney get a well-deserved week off in NRL round 26.</p> <p>That means Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has just one match to break&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/most-nrl-tries">Ken Irvine’s all-time try scoring record</a> this season.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/alex-johnston-try-scoring-record">He’ll need to cross for a hat-trick against arch rivals the Roosters next week</a>, also known as a headline writer’s dream. Can he do it? Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>