How about them upsets this past round, the rugby league scriptwriters have been cooking…that is what people say nowadays right?

Penrith lost their first game of the season, the Eels conceded another 50 points to the Titans, and the Storm are on a four game losing streak after losing to the Warriors. 

Who could have thought the NRL world would hear the words “four game losing streak” and the Storm in the same sentence, but here we are, and the Tigers are third and haven’t looked like slowing down.

Fans will be excited to see how the stories unfold in this upcoming round, including a chance to find out what a disrupter is. 

For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our expert NRL Round 7 tips and predictions below.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction

Thursday, April 16, 7:50pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

How about ‘em Cowboys on a four-game winning streak, defeating their rivals the Brisbane Broncos in a crazy four point win where both teams kicked a field goal in the 35-31 showdown. 

Jason Taumalolo went back to 2017 to put in an incredible performance and Scott Drinkwater despite the recent rumours proved how elite he is with the ball in his hands.

Manly have their own momentum going, and the club has looked better than ever as they defeated the Dragons.

Despite the Sea Eagles’ recent turnaround, the Cowboys at home are hard to turn down and we predict them to continue their winning ways. 

Head-to-head prediction: North Queensland Cowboys

Betting tip: Over total match points. 

Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm Prediction

Friday, April 17, 6pm AEST – GIO Stadium

Canberra got to experience some great weather in Perth, playing their best game this season upsetting the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Storm on the other hand are experiencing the cold, emptiness of losing, although Joe Chan got to experience fight or flight with a famous halftime Craig Bellamy spray.

Craig Bellamy will be hoping that some game time on the road can turn his side around as Melbourne hope to avoid being in the bottom four two months into the season.

Despite the Raiders winning a game for the first time in a few weeks, it’s hard to deny the Storm have a lot to play for and we look to Melbourne to finally get a win and avoid any chances of making it five consecutive losses.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Storm

Betting tip: Hudson Young anytime try scorer. 

The Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Prediction

Friday, April 17, 8pm AEST – TIO Stadium

This game takes place in Darwin, and it’ll be an important test for both sides.

The Panthers had a lot of errors in their game and their defence was exploited by the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins are coming off their bye and will hope to improve their defence and overpower the Panthers with their attack.

Despite the upset last round, the Panthers have the best differential in the competition and go back to their clinical ways.

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers

Betting tip: Over total match points.

New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction

Saturday, April 18, 3:00pm AEST – Go Media Stadium

The Warriors feel like they’re on top of the world, and they should be.

They’re second on the ladder and they defeated the Storm 38-14 on their turf, breaking a 17-game losing streak, and before Saturday night, they had not won in Melbourne since ANZAC Day in 2014.

The Titans looked the most alive they have in years, putting 52 points on the Eels, and Keano Kini heard the critics saying he should be playing Queensland Cup and had his fingerprints all over their road trip to Parramatta.

The Titans will be back on the plane to head to New Zealand in what has been a successful trip for the club in recent seasons.

With the form of the Warriors so far this season, we’re leaning towards them to claim victory and have the home fans rally behind them.

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors

Betting tip: Tanah Boyd scores 6+ points.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction

Saturday, April 18, 5:30pm AEST – Accor Stadium

These two sides walked away with losses last round and they’ll both want to respond very well this week.

The Rabbitohs almost made a comeback and performed in the clutch, but costly mistakes got in the way.

When a stat gets thrown in the air that Kieran Foran as a player who retired after last season and as a coach two weeks into the job has won more games since the Dragons had their last win, it shows how really really really bad things are at the club.

They did however show some life against Manly making the scoreboard respectable and having a fighter’s chance.

We’re siding with the Rabbitohs to win this matchup and keep the Dragons winless in 2026.

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs

Betting tip: Over total match points.

Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction

Saturday, April 18, 7:35pm AEST – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

The Tigers look great, genuinely great, as they dominated the game against the Newcastle Knights until the last 20 minutes.

Jarome Luai is expected back against the Broncos, which is a premium boost as they continue their strong form.

The depleted Broncos proved they can still compete and have a chance to win games, which is the same mindset to have when they play the Tigers in Campbelltown.

Despite the Broncos remaining a chance, the Tigers have proven their form is legitimate and we predict their run to continue.

Head-to-head prediction: Wests Tigers

Betting tip: Sunia Turava 2+ tries.

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Sunday, April 19, 2:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium

The Roosters somehow turned a 16-0 deficit with what looked like a low chance of making a comeback to scoring 34 points and defending incredibly for a win in Perth. 

The Knights struggled from the get go against the Tigers and never really looked convincing to take the game on.

Newcastle have struggled against the Roosters in recent years, with their last win against the Tricolours occurring in the first round of the 2022 season at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

We predict the Roosters attack to keep firing and give them life in this matchup and defeat the Knights once again.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters

Betting tip: Robert Toia anytime try scorer.

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Prediction

Sunday, April 19, 4:05pm AEST – CommBank Stadium 

The cursed number 50 strikes the Eels again, as they conceded 52 points again in their loss to the Titans.

It took six weeks to achieve this feat, which sounds like a nightmare until you do some research and realise the Rabbitohs in the 2021 season conceded 50 points twice that season in a three week stretch instead, and they made the grand final, so anything is possible right?

The Bulldogs pulled off a very clinical upset, dominating the wrestle with the Penrith Panthers and after the one millionth short ball from Galvin to Preston, that play finally paid off.

We’re siding with the Bulldogs to continue their head-to-head form when they play the Eels, as they have won the last three meetings in a row and give the Eels another loss in front of their home fans. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs

Betting tip: Bulldogs by 13+ points.

Cronulla Sharks – BYE

After a good winning streak, the Sharks blew a 22-6 lead to lose 34-22 in Perth heading into their bye, which makes it good timing to take a pause in the season.

NRL 2026 Premiership Odds