<p>Magic is in the air! Magic Round that is! That’s right, Suncorp Stadium’s annual footy fiesta is back for another edition.</p> <p>Starting back in 2019, the idea to have every team converge on a single location and play the entire round of footy there, has proved to be a resounding success.</p> <p>So here we are in NRL round 9, 2025, gearing up for the sixth incarnation of Magic Round and the hype is still real, with all three days completely sold out.</p> <p>The backdrop to Magic Round 2025 is one of excitement and unpredictability, with this season being one of the hardest to predict in recent memory.</p> <p>For starters, there are now no undefeated teams left in the competition after the Bulldogs’ unbeaten run came to a crashing halt in the Brisbane rain last week.</p> <p>Then there’s the curious case of reigning four-time premiers Penrith. The men from the foot of the mountains find themselves on the foot of the ladder, in nigh unbelievable scenes.</p> <p>It’s safe to say no one saw that coming, and we have a feeling the shocks and surprises are far from finished.</p> <p>With that in mind, it’s time to turn our attention towards Magic Round and assess the upcoming action set to play out at Suncorp Stadium.</p> <p>Can South Sydney pull a rabbit out of the hat without Latrell? Can the Titans make their losing streak disappear? And can the Raiders continue the truly magical run they’re on at the moment?</p> <p>Let’s find out, for all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of Magic Round 2025, check out our expert NRL Round 9 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 2, 6:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kicking off Magic Round 2025 are the Cronulla Sharks and the Parramatta Eels. It’s amazing how much difference a single player can make. The return of incumbent NSW No.7 Mitchell Moses to Parramatta’s ranks has transformed the Eels from competition whipping boys to potential banana peels.</p> <p>There’s no denying Cronulla’s quality, but as they showed last week against the Tigers, they are amicable to being upset.</p> <p>Coming off a Moses masterclass and a bye, we’re tempted to go hunting for value and tip the Eels, but one game isn’t enough to rectify seven or so rounds of sub-par performances. Up up Cronulla here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-parramatta-eels-9153885">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Will Kennedy anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 2, 8:05pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Perhaps no team has quite encapsulated this season's unpredictability like the Sydney Roosters have.</p> <p>One week upsetting the Panthers, then losing to the Warriors. Then upsetting the Broncos at Suncorp, then playing the Panthers again and this time losing.</p> <p>After their barnstorming win over the Dragons on ANZAC day we can no longer keep up. Which Roosters side will show up to Suncorp on Friday night? Your guess is as good as ours.</p> <p>Luckily, we have a more accurate idea of which Dolphins side will show. Being one of two teams this week who will have a home-ground advantage is a huge tick in the plus column, as is their recent form.</p> <p>They’ve won three of their last four and are on a hat-trick at Suncorp after knocking off the Storm and Panthers on the hallow turf of Lang Park in quick succession. For us, it’s Phins up here.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-dolphins-9153888">The Dolphins</a>.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2+ tries.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 3, 3:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another week, another loss, another meagre attacking display. Welcome to life in Newcastle at the moment.</p> <p>The Knights will need to pull a rabbit and a couple of tries too, out of the hat during Magic Round, if they want to leave Brisvegas with the points.</p> <p>Speaking of Rabbits, they’ll be up against South Sydney who nearly produced a magic trick of their own last week to down the Storm in Melbourne for the first time ever.</p> <p>Even though they came up short in the end, they should have far too much quality of the rapidly declining Knights, even without their main magician Latrell Mitchell, who is facing a suspension following his sin-binning down in Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-newcastle-knights-9153898">South Sydney Rabbitohs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 3, 5:30pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We’ve been duly impressed by the Warriors over the last few weeks as they’ve showcased their newfound appreciation for the grind, slogging out back-to-back wins in tense circumstances.</p> <p>These gutsy performances have them sitting fourth and you’d think would make them prime tipping candidates here.</p> <p>Normally, you’d be right. But in NRL round 9 they come up against one of the hottest teams in the competition – the North Queensland Cowboys.</p> <p>The boys from up North have won four on the bounce and their most recent result was a one-sided demolition job on fellow Queenslanders the Titans.</p> <p>The 50-18 rout should have the Warriors’ defensive coaches on high alert because it certainly piqued our interest and we’ll be backing them home here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-9153921">North Queensland Cowboys.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Robert Derby first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 3, 7:45pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One week was all it took for the Tigers to realise that they are better off with Lachlan Galvin in their side regardless of whether he wants to stay at the club or not long term.</p> <p>From losing to Parra to upsetting the Sharks, a week is a long time in football, and suddenly the Tigers have gone from off the rails to on the tracks.</p> <p>Tearaway front rower Terrell May is a large part of the reason why, surging to second in this season's Dally M count, after playing 84 minutes and for 228 metres from 29 hit-ups as the Tigers got home 20-18 in golden point against the Sharks.</p> <p>Superhuman doesn’t even begin to cover it and with a player like that in their ranks, along with the return of Galvin, we’re taking the Tigers here over a Dragons side that shipped 46 to the Chooks on ANZAC Day.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-9153924">Wests Tigers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Lachlan Galvin anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 4, 1:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bulldogs return to where their unbeaten start to the season was abruptly ended last week.</p> <p>One minute the Doggies were the only undefeated team in the land, with a defensive record most sides could only dream of. The next they were down 34-0 to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in the pouring rain.</p> <p>Luckily the Titans are just the tonic for anyone looking to return to the winner’s circle, as it’s been a month since they tasted victory.</p> <p>You can’t write a team off for one slip-up in the rain, particularly in a season as temperamental as this one. The Bulldogs by plenty here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9153940">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win - Bulldogs 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 4, 4:05pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. The once unstoppable Penrith Panthers are currently last on the ladder.</p> <p>How did we get here? Well, it looks like the salary cap truly is undefeated and you can only lose so many top-tier players before you are forced to return to the chasing pack.</p> <p>After ending the Bulldogs' undefeated start to the season last week, the Broncos are easy tips here. Particularly as they get the added advantage of Magic Round taking place at their home stadium, despite this technically being listed as a Penrith home game.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-brisbane-broncos-9153941">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Selwyn Cobbo anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 4, 6:25pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rounding out NRL Round 9 and the 2025 edition of Magic Round are the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders.</p> <p>This seems like a case of leaving the best for last, as both of these sides are genuine premiership threats this season.</p> <p>Neck and neck in the standings, both a win away from the summit of the table and both coming off wins, this is as close as it comes.</p> <p>Call us crazy but we actually fancy the Raiders here. Yes, Melbourne are known to enjoy Magic Round more than most, but there’s something magical about the Green Machine this season.</p> <p>Written off by everyone, they are running on pure defiance at the moment and we’re tipping them to announce themselves as genuine contenders with a stunning Suncorp win against the Storm.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canberra-raiders-9153944">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Matty Nicholson anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Manly Sea Eagles – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfortunately, someone has to miss out on all the Magic Round fun. This year, it’s Manly turn.</p> <p>The Sea Eagles won’t be making the trip up to Brisbane and instead will get a week off to celebrate their impressive 26-10 last start win over Penrith.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>