NRL Round 20 Tips: Best Bets and Predictions
Round 20 is here and we are officially on the home straight. Origin is in the rearview mirror, the big bye rounds are out of the way and there is 8 weeks of footy left to determine who plays, and who doesn't play finals. Already this week there are matchups which could have an effect later down the line.
Here are the best NRL Round 20 tips and predictions for every game this weekend.
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
Best Tip: Broncos +14.5
Both teams have a bunch of stars returning to their lineups. Brisbane don't need to win this game for this to cover, they can still be beaten by 2 converted tries and we are good. The pressure is essentially lifted off their back now and Penrith have not been their dominant selves in recent weeks.
Best Try Scorer: Casey McLean
McLean returns from injury and loves to make his presence felt on the park. Over $2 on such a prolific tryscorer against a leaky defence is one of the top picks of the round.
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights
Best Tip: Newcastle 1-12
Cronulla absolutely belted the Dolphins last week showing what they can do offensively when they have momentum. They have also won 6 of the last 7 games against Newcastle but this Knights team is something different in 2026 and we know that Cronulla when put under pressure, break easily.
Best Try Scorer: Sione Katoa
Katoa put on 2 tries last week and has scored 6 in his last 3 games. He is one of the best finishers in the game and a number of tries this season from Knights opponents have come out on the sting.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Best Tip: Melbourne Storm +11.5
The predicted line before Melbourne lost Munster and Hughes was around 6pts. The Storm have actually been pretty good without those guys recently and the most important thing is that Harry Grant is back. Roosters still won't have Tedesco and Toia is on the bench. Storm have won 12 of the last 15 in this head to head.
Best Try Scorer: Will Warbrick
Warbrick was first Tryscorer for Storm last weekend and has scored in 5 straight games. Strike while the iron is hot!
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Best Tip: South Sydney Moneyline
Cody Walker is back from suspension with a score to settle. The Raiders have also been inflated by recency bias. The predictive modelling has South's winning this by a try. There is value to be had in this game especially with a total that is predicted to start nudging 50.
Best Try Scorer: Tallis Duncan
Duncan has scored in 2 of his last 3 games and is doing a great job filling in at centre while Trell Mit is out. The price for him scoring does not match other centres in the league, pure mathematical play.
New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Best Tip: Same Game Multi - Warriors -14.5/Game Total Under 46.5
Not a great deal of value on the Warriors here but pairing it with the total against the worst team in the comp is interesting. New Zealand won 30-12 earlier in the season, have won 3 straight and 5 of the last 6 while 5 straight games have gone under this total. In fact 11 of the last 12 matchups between these two teams have stayed under 46 pts.
Best Try Scorer: Leka Halasima
The wingers are too short to back so this is more a hopefull play than anything else. Halasima hasn't scored in his last 4 games but does have 5 tries on the season. The Dragons defence is woeful out on the edges.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers
Best Tip: Wests +6.5
The Bulldogs have lost another playmaker, were embarrassed by the Raiders last week and have problems all over the park. The Tigers aren't much better, but at least the team they got punished by last week was actually good. The bounce back opportunity for them seems greater while catching points.
Best Try Scorer: Adam Doueihi
Doueihi is a totally different player when in the halves, he has scored 5 tries in his last 5 games and is difficult to stop near the line. Given how easily the Bulldogs give up, he could even go for another double.
Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles
Best Tip: Manly 1-12
One of the hardest games to pick of the round. The Titans have won 2 of the last 3 at CBus against Manly but have reguarly been smashed in the return matches. The score was 12-10 earlier in the year in favour of Manly. The Sea Eagles are the better team but Gold Coast have momentum and can keep it close.
Best Try Scorer: Phil Sami
Sami had a duck egg last week, breaking a 5 game tryscoring streak which interestingly started in the first matchup against Manly. This just means he is ready to start another one.
Dolphins vs North QLD Cowboys
Best Tip: Dolphins -3.5
The Dolphins were absolutely humiliated last week by Cronulla. They gave up once the score started getting out of reach but that is not the defensive effort we have come to know from them in 2026. Prior to that game they were the 4th best defensive unit in the NRL. Trust them to bounce back with their Origin contingent back on deck.
Best Try Scorer: Selwyn Cobbo
Cobbo is back from Origin and has a tryscoring streak to continue. 5 straight games and 8 tries total. There are bound to be points in this matchup and Cobbo should be on the receiving end of a glorious backline special.