Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys @ANZ Stadium- Thursday 7:50pm

Last round the Bulldogs came away from home with a hard-fought six point win over the Raiders while the Cowboys were humiliated at home to the Eels by 20 points. A win for either side will mean entry to the top eight. In a blow to both sides, Josh Reynolds and Johnathan Thurston will sit out the match due to injury.

The Bulldogs and Cowboys sit eighth and ninth respectively with identical five and four records. Both sides possess strong forward packs featuring the likes of Klemmer and Taumalolo making for a huge tussle up front.

Why the Bulldogs will win:

The Bulldogs have a strong record at ANZ Stadium this year winning three out of a possible four games. Their only loss was by six points to the Tigers a couple of rounds ago. With the form they are in at the moment and being at home that should be enough to get the boys from Belmore over the line.

Our tip: Bulldogs by 1

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks @UOW Jubilee Oval- Friday, 6:00pm

The Dragons come into this game as the surprise-packets of this year’s competition sitting comfortably in second place. But they come up against the third-placed Sharksoutfit wanting to avenge a shock six-point home loss to the Dragons earlier in the year. And with Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop out for the Dragons, it remains to be seen how efficient their attack will be.

Despite losing to the Storm last round the Dragons looked spirited and strong for the majority of the game while Cronulla came out on top against a rejuvenated Wests Tigers side. The derby should be huge. 

Why the Sharks will win:

With full strength line-ups you would say the Dragons but missing their two best players, the Dragons will struggle to score points and the Sharks will take advantage.

Our tip: Sharks by 12

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs @ANZ Stadium-Friday 7:50pm

The Tigers head into this match having an in-different record under Ivan Cleary with two wins and two losses while the Rabbitohs come return from an embarrassing thirty-eight point loss to the Sea-Eagles, having lost five of their past six games.

In a tough week for Tigers fans, captain Aaron Woods was announced he was joining the Bulldogs with James Tedesco confirming he will join arch-rivals the Roosters next year. To compound this they’ll be facing a side eager to get their finals aspirations back on track.

Why the Rabbitohs will win:

With each loss for South Sydney comes more pressure on both the players and their head coach Michael Maguire. The pinnacle was their demoralising loss last week. They desperately want to bounce back and with established leaders on their team in Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess and Robbie Farah, they should get the chocolates.

Our tip: Rabbitohs by 14

Penrith Panthers vs NZ Warriors @Pepper Stadium- Saturday, 3:00pm

The Warriors are coming of an exciting one-point win over the Roosters while the Panthers enter the match with five straight losses dating back to round four. If the Panthers lose and the Knights win, Penrith will be equal last. Something I’m sure Phil Gould hadn’t pencilled in with his in-famous five-year plan.

Earlier in the week it was announced Warriors and Kiwis half Kieran Foran had signed a deal with the Bulldogs from next year. He has been a shining light for the Warriors this year and it remains to be seen how this news will affect not only him but his teammates. Manu Vatuvei and Solomone Kata return for the Warriors with Te Maire Martin and James Fisher-Harris to come back for Penrith.

Why the Warriors will win:

For the Warriors the top eight beckons. The Warriors get the edge in this game due to Kiwis halves combination in Foran and Shaun Johnson. 

Our tip: Warriors by 4

Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans @Suncorp Stadium- Saturday, 5:30pm

Melbourne have won their past three while the Gold Coast have won their past two. The Storm are continuing their dominating path while the Titans have hit some form as of late.

The NRL was rocked during the week when it was announced Storm player Jesse Bromwich and Titans co-captain Kevin Proctor had been suspended alleged cocaine use when they were in Canberra following the ANZAC Test. This disgusting behaviour has seen both players not eligible for this match. 

Why the Storm will win:

They have won five out of their past six clashes against the Titans including a 38-0 win last year. The Storm posess attacking threats all over the pack with Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Addo-Carr and Felise Kaufusi having fourteen tries between them this year.

Our tip: Storm by 20

Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos @Suncorp Stadium- Saturday, 7:50pm

Before the international break the Sea Eagles were on a roll winning their past two to surge to sixth spot while the Broncos have won their past four. Manly's Akula Uate scored four in his last start while the Broncos' Anthony Milford has been on fire.

Given this is the second game in the Suncorp double-header, the pitch could be a bit damaged. But both sides play a style which should mean it won’t bother them too much.

Why the Sea Eagles will win:

Manly are looking more and more like a dark horse for the premiership. With their last round thrashing of Souths they’ll be full of confidence and ready to move their away record this year to another win. As it stands, they are a perfect four of four on the road.

Our tip: Manly by 8

Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders @McDonald Jones Stadium- Sunday 2:00pm

The Raiders have lost their past two to the Bulldogs and  Sea Eagles repectively. The only positives out of those is how close they were with six and two-point margins. The year continues to get rougher for the Knights with only one win from nine games. They lost to fellow cellar-dwellers the Titans by 30 in their last start.

In a positive for the Novocastrians, Trent Hodkinson returns to the squad. The Raiders' Josh Papalli is suspended.

Why the Raiders will win:

They have won three out of their past four against the Knights. And while you can’t fault Newcastle for their efforts this year, the Raiders' attack should be too good for a young Knights side. 

Our tip: Raiders by 30

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels @Allianz Stadium- Sunday, 4:00pm

The Eels roll into town on the back of a three game winning streak and finally playing to its potential while the Roosters sit equal second.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been stood down for alleged cocaine posession last Thursday and it remains to be seen what effect this saga will have on the team.

Why the Roosters will win:

Their back five. Michael Gordon, Daniel Tupou, Latrell Mitchell, Joseph Manu and Blake Ferguson have 17 tries between them. The rest of the squad has nine. If their backline can get their things going early then we could be in for a really high-scoring entertaining game.

Our tip: Roosters by 6