Round 8 of the 2023 NRL season will begin with a bang when the reigning champion Penrith Panthers visit the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos will face off in the sole Friday night match before some lower-table sides including the North Queensland Cowboys play on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Dolphins and Gold Coast Titans will do battle in another Queensland derby, with the Wests Tigers to search for their first win of the season in the afternoon.
Two Anzac Day matches will be held on Tuesday, with the classic Sydney Roosters-St. George Illawarra Dragons game, followed by the Melbourne Storm hosting the New Zealand Warriors.
Here are The Sporting News’ betting predictions for Round 8.
Odds courtesy of Bluebet.
Sharks to pummel injury-ravaged Bulldogs
With a hefty casualty ward that continues to grow, the Bulldogs might be in for a tough outing this week.
Only two points separate the sides, but with a relatively small injury list and Nicho Hynes hitting his straps, the Sharks are heavy favourites for this clash.
It is also worth noting that Cronulla beat Canterbury twice last season, winning by margins of 16 and 12, respectively.
After a confident win over the Roosters last week, we can expect Craig Fitzgibbon's side to strut their stuff again.
Cronulla Sharks (-14.5) - $1.90
Dolphins and Titans to play out a close one
Despite the loss, the Titans showed last week that they have the attacking ability to rack up the points.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira, in particular, showed that he is a force to be reckoned with on the wing.
Gold Coast face an exciting Dolphins side this round in what we predict will be a high-scoring encounter.
Both sides have shown they can be explosive point scorers, but they have also been equally flimsy on defence.
The Titans and Dolphins conceded 43 and 36 points last week, respectively, and there is a sense that the floodgates might open up again.
Over 45.5 total points - $1.87
Tedesco to deliver on Anzac Day
The traditional Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and Dragons is always a big occasion. And big occasions call for big players.
This is exactly the kind of match where James Tedesco steps up and is the difference-maker for his team.
Surprisingly, 'Teddy' hasn't crossed the line for the Tricolours this season, but it should only be a matter of time before he does.
In fact, we think the veteran fullback can score two of them against a struggling Dragons outfit, roared on by his home crowd.
James Tedesco to score two tries - $5.50
Meaney to return with a bang for Melbourne
Nick Meaney was absent for the Storm's defeat to Manly last round, sitting out due to concussion protocol.
He is set to return in the No. 1 jersey for Melbourne this week as they host the Warriors for their Anzac Day clash.
The Storm have a stunning record against their trans-Tasman counterparts, holding a 13-match winning streak that began in 2016.
Despite missing last week's game, Meaney has scored five tries already this season, and we believe he can cross the line again against the Warriors despite their gritty defence.
Nick Meaney anytime tryscorer + Melbourne Storm to win - $3.13
