NRL Round 25 Best Bets 2026: Tips, Predictions and Betting Picks

Round 25 brings another huge weekend of NRL action, with the finals race tightening and several teams running out of opportunities to keep their seasons alive. Penrith need to respond after a rare run of losses, Canberra are still chasing an unlikely finals berth, while the Roosters are emerging as one of the premiership's form teams.

This week's NRL best bets feature a mix of winning margins, line betting and match totals, with opportunities across all eight games.

Best Bet: Penrith Panthers 13+

Penrith have dropped three straight after previously sitting 13-1, but this is a strong bounce-back opportunity. Melbourne are expected to remain without Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, leaving them significantly weakened through the spine. The Panthers are $1.32 favourites and, despite their recent form, have the quality to respond with a statement win.

Best Bet: Canberra Raiders 1-12

Canberra kept their slim finals hopes alive by beating Cronulla last round and now return home against a Brisbane side in freefall. Reece Walsh is out for the season, while Adam Reynolds is also in doubt. The Raiders should win, but Brisbane still have enough quality through Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan to keep the margin respectable.

Best Bet: Parramatta Eels +13.5

Parramatta showed plenty in their upset victory last week and Mitchell Moses is starting to find rhythm again. The Eels' defence remains vulnerable, particularly through the middle, but the Dolphins have been inconsistent and difficult to trust as heavy favourites. Getting more than two converted tries gives Parramatta plenty of breathing room.

Best Bet: Newcastle Knights -8.5

Newcastle are finding form at exactly the right time and could regain Bradman Best, Jacob Saifiti and James Schiller. Manly's late-season collapse has pushed them out of finals contention, and uncertainty remains around whether Tom Trbojevic will be risked. With the Knights at home and still building momentum, they can clear the 8.5-point line.

Best Bet: Under 45.5 Points

South Sydney produced one of their best defensive performances of the season last week, holding Canterbury to only six points. The Warriors, meanwhile, have lost Luke Metcalf to a hamstring injury and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to suspension. With New Zealand's attack disrupted and South Sydney defending much better, this shapes as a lower-scoring contest.

Best Bet: Over 43.5 Points

The Dragons enter with consecutive victories and are finally finding some attacking rhythm, while Canterbury desperately need a response after their 22-6 defeat to South Sydney. The Bulldogs have won the last five meetings between these teams, but St George Illawarra's improved form should see them contribute enough points to push this beyond 43.5.

Best Bet: Cronulla Sharks -6.5

Cronulla have lost two straight and Braydon Trindall's shoulder injury is significant, but this matchup has historically suited them. Recent meetings highlighted in the supplied analysis include Cronulla putting 44 and 54 points on Gold Coast, while Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension this week. The Sharks should have enough through the middle to cover the converted-try line.

Best Bet: Sydney Roosters -18.5

The Roosters are hitting form at exactly the right time and could welcome James Tedesco back into the side. Sydney recently produced an 82-12 demolition of North Queensland, while the Tigers arrive in 14th and continue to struggle for consistency. With the Roosters pushing towards the finals and premiership contention, this is the standout mismatch of Round 25.