Overview

• ESPN labels Canberra Raiders vs. Manly Sea Eagles as the sure thing pick, predicting a Canberra win based on home form and Manly’s late-season struggles
• The Dolphins vs. Sydney Roosters contest is a toss-up, with the advice leaning toward a Dolphins victory as Brisbane’s drying surface and playmaker form offer an edge
• Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors is named the roughie, with the Warriors backed for an upset despite missing halfback Luke Metcalf and rain forecast at Accor Stadium
• Frequent upsets across the 2025 NRL season have made accurate tipping increasingly difficult as teams push toward finals positioning
• Analysts draw on recent form, head-to-head history, key playmaker availability, weather forecasts and upset patterns to inform these three-tiered selections