With the second match of State of Origin 2023 on the way, we will see another shortened and impacted round of NRL.
Only five games will take place in Round 16 as teams navigate the absences of their Origin stars.
Below are The Sporting News’ betting predictions and best bets.
Odds courtesy of BlueBet.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Penrith Panthers prediction, tip, best bet
Both the Cowboys and Panthers have been hit hard with the departure of multiple players to their respective Origin camps.
North Queensland are the home side and will be playing their first game since their 45-20 thrashing of the Storm.
However, they will be without five crucial stars, with Reece Robson notably set to make his NSW Blues debut. The return of enforcer Jason Taumalolo is a well-timed boost, though.
It's a similar story for Penrith, who are also set to have five of their players absent.
If there is to be a deciding factor in this match, it could be the fact that the Cowboys have their first-choice halves pairing intact. In front of their Townsville faithful, we think they can keep this one close.
BEST BET: North Queensland Cowboys +4.5 ($1.90 with BlueBet)
Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters prediction, tip, best bet
The Knights enter this clash as the favourites, with Tyson Frizell their only Origin-related omission.
Adam O'Brien's side have shown some signs of steady improvement this season and have a great opportunity to showcase their ability in front of their home fans on Saturday.
They come up against a Roosters side who are alarmingly low on confidence and will be without star fullback James Tedesco.
Newcastle got out to a strong start last week against the Broncos but fell away at the end.
We're predicting that they will learn their lesson, secure an early lead against the Tricolours, and take home the win.
BEST BET: Newcastle Knights HT/FT ($2.00 with BlueBet)
Parramatta Eels vs. Manly Sea Eagles prediction, tip, best bet
Two teams who have recently found themselves in exciting veins of form, this is a tricky match to predict.
Both sides' first-choice halfbacks will be missing on Origin duty but there should be plenty of confidence on either side.
We're expecting this to be a tight and physical clash as Daejarn Asi and Jake Arthur ease into the game as starting No. 7s.
It could be clunky from an attacking standpoint early on, but the tries should flow in the second half.
BEST BET: Highest scoring half - second half ($1.72 with BlueBet)
Wests Tigers vs. Melbourne Storm prediction, tip, best bet
There is something about a random Saturday night match against the Tigers that feels like a potential slip-up for the Storm.
Craig Bellamy's side have quietly moved up to third on the ladder, but have dropped some uncharacteristically underwhelming performances this season.
Xavier Coates joins their Origin absentee list, with the promising Jonah Pezet earning a spot in the halves in place of Cameron Munster.
As for the Tigers, injuries to Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks are a blow, whilst Stefano Utoikamanu will be out making a well-deserved NSW Blues debut.
Melbourne should win this one, but it may not be convincing.
BEST BET: Melbourne Storm 1-12 ($2.95 with BlueBet)
Cronulla Sharks vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prediction, tip, best bet
This match screams of a Nicho Hynes bounce-back performance.
The Sharks halfback was underwhelming in his so-called 'Origin audition' against the Storm, but Sunday marks the perfect opportunity for the reigning Dally M Medal winner to prove his worth.
Cronulla face a Bulldogs side that showed some exciting attacking signs against the Eels last round but were very leaky in defence.
With Craig Fitzgibbon's side unaffected by Origin and Canterbury without star winger Josh Addo-Carr, we're predicting that the Sharks will rack up the points in front of a raucous Shark Park crowd.
BEST BET: Cronulla Sharks -13.5 ($1.90 with BlueBet)
