<p>As we head into NRL round 27, somehow the top eight is still not settled. In fact, it’s the furthest thing from being settled, with four teams from last week’s log jam technically still alive.</p> <p>Due to points difference, the winner of the Dolphins vs Knights game should be the one to take the last finals spot, but monster scores and monster upsets elsewhere could bring one of the Dragons and yes, even the Raiders into the picture.</p> <p>Canberra are fast becoming the Keith Richards of the NRL, no one has any clue how they are still alive. But where there’s hope there’s life and after some legendary upsets in the past month that include wins over the Panthers and the Roosters, the Green Machine still draws breath.</p> <p>This is it, all or nothing. The final round of the regular season is upon us. For the latest news, analysis, odds and more, check out our NRL round 27 tips and predictions below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, September 5, 7:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Our NRL round 27 tip and predictions get underway with a game that should have so much more on the line.</p> <p>The Broncos had miraculously put themselves in the frame to make the eight, but then imploded at home against the Dolphins to finally bring their finals hopes to a close.</p> <p>They were torn limb from limb by the Phins with two former Broncos, the architects of their downfall. One was on the field while the other was in the coach’s box, with both Herbie Farnworth and Wayne Bennett’s fingerprints all over the 40-6 shellacking.</p> <p>They’ll come up against an understrength Storm side, who will be missing key men due to injuries as well as squad rotation, as this is a dead rubber for both sides. Regardless, with nothing left to play for and confidence at an all-time low, we can see the Broncs getting up for this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-melbourne-storm-8519490">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyran Wishart to score 10+ points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 6, 6:00pm AEST – Campbelltown Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite occupying the bottom two places on the NRL ladder, both the Tigers and the Eels find themselves in a massive final game of the season.</p> <p>Yes, this game will determine who will win this year’s <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/most-wooden-spoons-of-all-time">wooden spoon</a>, with the Tigers staring down an unwanted hattrick should they fail to get the two points here.</p> <p>However, they’ll fancy their chances after a week off, particularly after the chaotic game Parramatta played last time out.</p> <p>Yes, Parra won last week, but the way they gave up five tries in the final 10 minutes against the Dragons would have made what should have been a resounding win feel like a loss.</p> <p>Benji’s boys are at home here too, they’ll be up for this and we’re backing them to finally hand the spoon over to someone else.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-parramatta-eels-8519491">Wests Tigers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Lachlan Galvin anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Rooster Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 6, 8:00pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The oldest and fiercest rival in Rugby League resumes in NRL round 27 as the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Sydney Roosters.</p> <p>This looks set to be a B-grade battle, with both sides minus more than a few superstars.</p> <p>With the Rabbitohs down in the dumps and the Chooks flying high, normally we would back a slam dunk Tri-colours victory.</p> <p>However, after a horror afternoon at Allianz Stadium over the weekend that saw both Sam Walker and Brandon Smith tear their ACLs and Victor Radley fracture his shoulder, it is all doom and gloom in Bondi at the moment.</p> <p>Rocked by three season-ending injuries to three key players, you can’t blame the Roosters if they are well below their best here. A Red and Green ambush could be the value bet of the week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-sydney-roosters-8519493">South Sydney Rabbitohs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p>

<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 7, 3:00pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Dragon’s fans, how do you do it? St George always seems to ensure their supporters endure max pain.</p> <p>With their destiny in their own hands, facing a lackluster Parramatta side with nothing to play for they inexplicably fell to a 44-12 deficit with a quarter of the game still to play.</p> <p>The score remained the same for the next 10 minutes, but what transpired after that had to be seen to be believed.</p> <p>In the final 10 minutes the Red V laid on five unanswered tries, converting four to go down 44-40 in the craziest game of the season.</p> <p>They now become the only side to ever score 40 points in a match and still lose. This week they have to face the red-hot Raiders who have been delivering when it matters, and we expect them to do so again here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-canberra-raiders-8519494">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM - Xavier Savage and Tyrell Sloan anytime try scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 7, 5:30pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>They need a win, other results to go their way and a 68-point swing otherwise the Bulldogs top four hopes are up in smoke.</p> <p>They blew their chance to gain maximum advantage for the finals in last week’s shock loss to Manly, although should be able to lift their spirits slightly here with a win against the Cowboys who travel about as well as prawns in summer.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-8519496">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Matt Burton two or more try assists.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 7, 7:35pm AEST – Penrith Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There are no prizes for guessing our tip here. Yes, powerhouses Penrith will probably rest a star or two here and will still be without Nathan Cleary who is a week or two away, but the Titans have been untippable for a month now.</p> <p>They’ve lost four in a row but have been pretty good at keeping the scoreboard attendant busy. We’re tipping both of those trends to continue here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-gold-coast-titans-8519497">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 8, 2:00pm AEST – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The penultimate game of NRL round 27 and the entire regular season shapes as a real head scratcher.</p> <p>Manly will be full of confidence after beating the Bulldogs while the Sharks will be fighting for their place in the top four after dropping points at home to the Warriors of all people.</p> <p>Those looking for a differential between both sides will have found it, with the news that Tommy Turbo and his sore shoulder will be kept on ice for this one, so he can suit up for the finals.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-cronulla-sharks-8519504">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Nicho Hynes to score or assist.</p>

<h2>Newcastle Knights vs The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 8, 4:05pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 27 and the final game of the 2024 regular season is one of the biggest.</p> <p>Whoever wins this clash will most likely book their ticket to finals, providing hell doesn’t freeze over in the other fixtures.</p> <p>Game’s like this are always the hardest to predict, with the only thing we’re confident about is the high chance of meat pies in the area.</p> <p>Both side’s attacking weapons are firing on all cylinders at the moment with Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth combining for no less than nine tries last week.</p> <p>As for the H2H result here, maybe get the lucky coin out and give it a flip. For us the Phins have the slight upper hand thanks to master coach Wayne Bennett who has navigated high pressure moments like this numerous times throughout the years.</p> <p>We’re backing him to lead his chargers to their maiden final’s series, in only their second season in the competition.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-dolphins-8519505">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Over total match points, Ponga/Sharpe and Farnworth/Tabuai-Fidow anytime try scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Warriors get their Mad Monday a week earlier than the rest of the competition thanks to having a bye in NRL round 27.</p> <p>While it was a disappointing season for the New Zealanders, they’ll still have something to celebrate, after sending out retiring club legend Shaun Johnson a winner, thanks to a last minute try against the Sharks last week. A fitting way to end for one of the game’s great entertainers. Magic Johnson indeed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>