<p>After three rounds of pulsating action, the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/ladder/2024-standings">NRL ladder</a> is starting to take shape and there are more than a few surprises.</p> <p>The Bunnies are bottom without a win, the Cowboys are top without a loss and the Tigers are surprisingly somewhere in the middle.</p> <p>Round 4 will be a pivotal one for a number of teams, particularly the aforementioned Rabbitohs. A loss to the Bulldogs on Good Friday would spell disaster for the Cardinal and Myrtle.</p> <p>Can they stop the rot and get on the board? What about the Cowboys? Can they keep their undefeated streak alive and best the Broncos in the Queensland derby?</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, predictions and betting tips for these games and the rest of the fixtures this week, check out our expert NRL round 4 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 28, 8:00pm AEDT – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>NRL round 4 opens up with a true blockbuster. Two of the most successful clubs of the past decade go toe-to-toe on Thursday night, when the Roosters host the Panthers at Allianz Stadium.</p> <p>Both of these sides were ruthless last week, with the Panthers trouncing a depleted Broncos team in a rematch from last year’s Grand Final, while the Roosters simply slaughtering cross-town rivals South Sydney.</p> <p>This is arguably the hardest game to tip this round, but we will point out there is plenty of value for those who fancy the Roosters at home.</p> <p>We love a bit of value and after their near 50-point masterclass against the Bunnies that saw Sam Walker and James Tedesco star, we’re mixing it up and tipping against the Penrith juggernaut this week.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>The two best defensive teams around meet here, so tries might be rare. Early try markets then come into play. Tyrell May is starting and if he does score, it will probably be early. Since Penrith like to rush up quickly, Parra showed the other week you can go through the front door. Look for the big Chook forward here!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-penrith-panthers-8100958">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Terrell May first, second or third try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 29, 4:05pm AEDT – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>South Sydney’s traditional Good Friday clash against Canterbury will carry more weight than usual, with the Bunnies in truly dire straits heading into NRL round 4.</p> <p>The Rabbits sit dead last, yet to register a win in 2024 and are coming off the back on a 48-6 mauling at the hands of their archrivals the Roosters.</p> <p>The Dogs were in rough shape too until their 32-0 win over the Titans last time out, a result which in our eyes has made them favourites here.</p> <p>A loss here for the Red and Green surely spells the end of Jason Demetriou’s tenure at the helm, only four weeks into season 2024.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>I’m taking the early price here too. I’m very much expecting the price to trim closer to kick off. The Rabbits have lost 12 of their last 16 by an average of 15 points! In the key effort areas, the Bulldogs to this point in 2024 have been miles in front of their Friday counterparts.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-canterbury-bulldogs-8100959">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Canterbury Bulldogs H2H.</p>

<h2>Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 29, 8:00pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Queensland derby is always without fail one of the games of the season and this year’s edition should be no different.</p> <p>The Broncos are in all sorts in terms of personnel with Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and now Reece Walsh sidelined, after the dynamic fullback sustained a facial fracture in his side’s loss to Penrith last week.</p> <p>On the flip side, things couldn’t be going much better for the Cowboys. They’re sitting pretty at the top of the table, haven’t lost, and are scoring tries at will.</p> <p>We’re tipping them to extend their unbeaten run here in a high scoring affair against what is sure to be a depleted yet brave Brisbane battalion.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-8100977">North Queensland Cowboys.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Murray Tuilagi or Selwyn Cobbo first try scorer.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 30, 5:30pm AEDT – Wollongong Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dragon’s defence clearly needs some work and we’re tipping Manly’s superstar fullback Tommy Turbo to put them through their paces this week.</p> <p>The Dragons got embroiled in a high-scoring shootout with North Queensland last week and it was the Cowboys who fired the final bullet.</p> <p>Meanwhile Manly’s number one put on an attacking clinic in his side’s thrilling loss to Parra. We’re tipping him to be on the right side of the result this week as well as on the scoreboard, more than once.</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-8100980">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tom Trbojevic two or more tries.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans vs The Dolphins Predictions</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 30, 5:30pm AEDT – Robina Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Titans are terrible. That’s it. That’s the prediction. When you lose 32-0 to the Bulldogs who aren’t exactly world beaters and you simultaneously lose your best player and captain for the season, you’re unlikely to have too many backers.</p> <p>The fully rested Dolphins are the easiest tip you’ll have in round 4 of the NRL.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-dolphins-8101001">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Herbie Farnworth anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 31, 4:05pm AEDT – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Both of these sides got on the board for 2024 last week and will be hoping to continue collecting points in round 4.</p> <p>The Knights made the most of Melbourne’s injury problems to sneak home by two points, while the Warriors also held on to beat the previously undefeated Raiders.</p> <p>The Warriors in New Zealand are a different team to one that steps off a plane in Aus, so we’re backing them to grab another win in front of their adoring fans, with Rocking Roger the man to do most of the damage.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>AFB under the game plan of Andrew Webster is scoring at a try to game ratio of 0.36 (11 from 30). Before the former Penrith assistant was appointed, he was at just 0.11. He cashed in off a block play last week, which is very rare for a front rower. He scored off the same play against the Knights in the finals last year too.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-newcastle-knights-8101007">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Addin Fonua-Blake anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 31, 6:15pm AEDT – Shark Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Sharks shocker last week has cast doubts over Cronulla’s promising start to the season.</p> <p>They were outplayed by the Tigers from jump in worrying scenes for head coach Craig Fitzgibbon.</p> <p>The Raiders were much more gallant in their defeat to the Warriors across the ditch and we like them to grind out a hard-fought win in a low scoring affair here.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>I’m taking the early price here. The Raiders have won nine of their last 10 clashes against the Sharks and Cronulla tend to struggle against big power packs. According to reports, Hunt, Hamlin-Uele, Rudolph, Finucane and Colquhoun are all in doubt.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-canberra-raiders-8101009">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Canberra Raiders H2H.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, April 1, 4:00pm AEDT – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round 4 of the NRL wraps up with an intriguing matchup between the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers.</p> <p>The Tigers have finally found their claws in 2024 under rookie coach Benji Marshall, tearing into the Sharks in a commanding 32-6 victory.</p> <p>Meanwhile the Eels are playing some truly electrifying footy and dare we say it could be a premiership smokey.</p> <p>The form of Mitchell Moses should have the whole of the NRL on notice. His link up with his offload-happy forwards such as Junior Paulo and J’maine Hopgood has been particularly lethal so far. Unfortunely for the Parra faithful, news has broken that he will miss the next two months through injury. That news also tips this game in the Tigers favour.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>The Tigers benefitted from a game manager starting last week in Aiden Sezer. This week the Eels have lost their game manager in Mitchell Moses. Wests won’t fear Parra. Last year a Sivo try five minutes from time pinched the result and in 22’ when the Eels were grand finalists, the Tigers beat them 21-20.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-wests-tigers-8101010">Wests Tigers.&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Wests Tigers H2H.</p>

<h2>Melbourne Storm – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The depleted Storm get a timely week off to help a number of their stars recover from injury.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>

<p>Fancy a flutter on round 4 of the NRL? Check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/hot-to-bet-on-nrl">How to Bet on the NRL </a>Punter IQ guide.</p>