<p>The NRL goes on tour in round 7 with games scheduled to be played in more rural locations such as Darwin and Bathurst this week.</p> <p>There’s also a Thursday night blockbuster to kick off proceedings, as well as the expected return from injury of one of the NRL’s prodigal sons.</p> <p>With so much to look forward to, it’s time to jump headfirst into NRL round 7.</p> <p>For the latest round 7 analysis, news, odds, and betting tips, check out our NRL round 7 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 18, 7:50pm AEDT – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Lighting the touchpaper for NRL round 7 are the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>Over the last decade these two sides have played out some of the greatest games modern Rugby League has ever seen.</p> <p>Every time they square off it’s a classic and we expect no different this time. Both were on the right side of two-point score lines last week but turned in very different performances.</p> <p>Away from home and riddled with injuries, including being without their fullback and captain James Tedesco, the Rooster dug deep to pip a plucky Newcastle outfit.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Melbourne had to pull off a last-minute salvage mission against a Bulldogs side that was paying nearly 7.00 to win before kick-off. How will they respond here?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Denan’s diagnosis: </strong>Going to be a tight game but I think Bellamy will have given the Storm a huge rev up after nearly losing to the Dogs at home last week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-melbourne-storm-8158840">Melbourne Storm.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Denan’s tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/40/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">Winning margin – Storm 6 to 10.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 19, 6:00pm AEDT – Wollongong Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Wahs have ousted themselves as this year’s great entertainers, but will they be able to consistently pick up results to ensure they are immortalised in premiership history and not just on the end of season highlights reel?<br /> <br /> Games like this against an inconsistent yet dangerous Dragons side are the ones they need to win if they truly want to be Premiership threats in a season that is one of the most open in years.</p> <p>Based on what we’ve seen so far this season, this incarnation of the Warriors have enough steely resolve to go with their attacking flair to pick up results where in seasons gone by, they may not have.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-new-zealand-warriors-8158847">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Shaun Johnson to score 10+ points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels vs the Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 19, 8:00pm AEDT – TIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two sides missing their main men. Who wins? The Eels showed there is life in them without Moses, after they ambushed the Cowboys last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Phins on the other hand showed they might struggle without the Hammer, who is facing a stint on the sidelines after leaving the field early in their loss to Brisbane with an injury.</p> <p>We’re keen to tip Parra after their performance against the Cowboys, but their record in Darwin throws a bit of a spanner in the works.</p> <p>The humid location will favour their Queensland opponent, and if they do fall to the Dolphins, it won’t be the first time a team has run them over in the hot and sticky conditions of the Northern Territory.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-dolphins-8158848">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Dolphins to score first in the 2nd half.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 3:00pm AEDT – Carrington Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After their week off, the Penrith Panthers looked set to welcome back Nathan Cleary who has spent the last few weeks sidelined with injury.</p> <p>It turns out that won't be the case, as the superstar halfback is still at least another week away from full fitness.</p> <p>Penrith were always going to win this one, Cleary’s potential inclusion would&nbsp;have only changed by how much.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>Early play here. There are enough reasons to be on Wests here. The +13.5 line, Bathurst, Tigers won this fixture last year, injury clouds over Clearly and Luai etc. The Panthers are also coming off a bye and could be a bit slow out of the gates, plus young gun Lachlan Galvin is back for the Tigers. The line looks very good here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-wests-tigers-8158853">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/85301/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">Wests Tigers line.</a></p>

<h2>Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, April 20, 5:30pm AEDT – Robina Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Des Hasler and Kieran Foran will face the club they made their respective names at. That will be the main storyline here and while they’ll be keen to prove a point against their former employers, frankly we don’t see it happening.</p> <p>Sure, they were beyond brave down in the Nation’s Capital last week as they refused to die against the Raiders in one of the pluckiest performances of the season.</p> <p>Ultimately their heroics that forced golden point were for nothing and all they did was delay their execution for an additional 10 minutes before a last-minute Jamal Fogarty field goal finally killed them off.</p> <p>The injuries they sustained in that game coupled with Manly’s form this season can only lead to one outcome, another loss for the Gold Coast boys.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-manly-sea-eagles-8158854">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tolutau Koula first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Broncos vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 7:35pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Broncos are slowly picking up steam as they begin to welcome back their slew of injured stars, but the Raiders are rolling early in 2024.</p> <p>This is one of the hardest to tip for NRL round 7, but after a wounded Titan’s team gave them an almighty scare, we’re tempted to back the boys from the Sunshine State.</p> <p>Reece Walsh is back and doing what he does best (scoring long range tries) just in head gear now and strike centre Selwyn Cobbo is finally hitting top form.</p> <p>No Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas will continue to be an issue, but we’ve seen enough from the Broncos to back them home here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-canberra-raiders-8158855">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Selwyn Cobbo first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 21, 2:00pm AEDT – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite being unable to hang on against a fast-finishing Storm side, there were plenty of positives for the Bulldogs to take from their two-point defeat down in Melbourne.</p> <p>Against nearly any other team, in any other state, they probably would have won that game, but instead they became the last team to fall victim to comeback kings Melbourne.</p> <p>The attacking shape that led to Josh Addo-Carr’s hattrick will have pleased head coach Cameron Ciraldo and should be enough to see off a spluttering Newcastle side this week.</p> <p><strong>Sean says: </strong>I’ve got the Dogs favourites in this one. He was named on Tuesday, but there are plenty of whispers that Ponga’s hip isn’t 100% and we saw the impact of that last week in the first half against the Chooks. Kikau is airborne and has that Dogs left edge humming nicely.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-newcastle-knights-8158857">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Sean’s tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/82086/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">Bulldogs H2H.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 21, 4:05pm AEDT – Shark Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 7 sees the table topping Sharks welcome the inconsistent Cowboys to Shark Park.</p> <p>Without anyone really paying attention the Sharks have swam to the top of the standings, can they stay there?</p> <p>We think so. The Cowboys seem to shrivel up in Sydney as demonstrated last week against the under-strength Eels.</p> <p>From a punting perspective, both of these teams love to attack but aren’t that hot on defending. There will be points.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-8158858">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The embattled Bunnies mercifully get a week off to regroup after their latest loss, which saw them pick up a new string of injuries.</p> <p>They are widely tipped to part company with head coach Jason Demetriou during the break, with legendary Queensland mentor Mal Meninga tipped to take over on an interim basis.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>