NRL round-21 preview panel

PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND-21 MATCHES (ALL TIMES AEST):

THURSDAY, July 27

Penrith v Canterbury at Pepper Stadium, 7.50pm

Head to Head: Bulldogs 51 Panthers 37 drawn 3

Last clash: Round 13, 2017 – Panthers 38 bt Bulldogs 0

Tab: Panthers $1.42 Bulldogs $2.85

FootyTAB: Bulldogs +9.5

These teams come into the match in contrasting form, the Panthers winning their past three and the Bulldogs doing their best to see off coach Des Hasler with only two wins from their past five outings. How much the players want Des in the picture might become clearer in coming weeks, starting with this game against Penrith. Matt Moylan is a big loss for the home side but they should still have enough strike power to trouble the Dogs.

Key: Will the Dogs fight for coach Des Hasler or roll over?

Tip: Penrith

FRIDAY July 28

Warriors v Cronulla at Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm

Head to Head: Warriors 16 Sharks 20

Last clash: Round 16, 2016 – Sharks 19 bt Warriors 18 at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Tab: Warriors $2.35 Sharks $1.60

FootyTAB: Warriors +4.5

On the back of three-straight losses, the 12th-placed Warriors need an upset win if they are to have any chance of an improbable finals berth. In their favour is an impressive home record – with only two losses this season. The defending premiers are playing to secure their top-four berth and, although the Sharks are missing injured playmaker James Maloney, they should have too much power up the middle and cause the Warriors more misery.

Key: How will Fa’amanu Brown handle the Sharks’ No.6 jersey?

Tip: Sharks

Parramatta v Brisbane at ANZ Stadium, 7.55pm

Head to Head: Eels 19 Broncos 31 Drawn 1

Last clash: Round 23, 2016 – Broncos 38 bt Eels 16 at Suncorp Stadium

Tab: Eels $2.75 Broncos $1.45 Draw $23

FootyTAB: Eels +6.5

Brisbane welcome back their fullback for this crucial clash, while the Eels lose theirs. The return of Darius Boyd for the Broncos is timely ahead of their run home to the finals, given they are just one win ahead of Parramatta and are involved in a tight race for the top four. Parramatta have lost Clinton Gutherson for the season. The injured star leads the Eels for tries and one-on-one tackles, and has also provided the second-most try assists, line-break assists and tackle busts this year. Bevan French goes back to the No.1 jersey, while Josh Hoffman returns from a knee injury on the wing.

Key: How the Eels’ attack finds a way to fire without their main man Gutherson at the back.

Tip: Broncos

SATURDAY, July 29

Newcastle v St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

Head to Head: Knights 10 Dragons 24

Last clash: Rd 16, 2017 – Dragons 32 bt Knights 28 at Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

Tab: Knights $4 Dragons $1.25 Draw $26

FootyTAB: Knights +10.5

The Dragons were forced to get out of jail last month against the Knights, but appear to have turned a corner after last week’s 52-22 flogging of Manly in Wollongong. Matt Dufty has been named to retain his spot at fullback after a stellar debut, where he scored a try, set up two and busted through 13 tackles. It means Josh Dugan will play in the centres, as the Dragons aim to keep a gap between them and ninth-placed Penrith. Newcastle continue to show signs of improvement but have lost eight straight as they inch closer to a third-consecutive wooden spoon.

Key: St George Illawarra’s attack bounced back to life last week, but can they make it happen for a second game in a row?

Tip: Dragons

South Sydney v Canberra at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm

Head to Head: Rabbitohs 21 Raiders 30

Last clash: Rd 21, 2016 – Raiders 54 bt Rabbitohs 4 at ANZ Stadium

Tab: Rabbitohs $2.45 Raiders $1.55 Draw $23

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs +5.5

Canberra must beat the lowly ranked Rabbitohs to keep their faint finals hopes alive. However, they have been rocked by suspensions, with the club’s best forward (Josh Papalii), back (Jordan Rapana) and the heart and soul of the team (Sia Soliola) all rubbed out for on-field misdemeanours. Michael Oldfield will make his club debut on the wing, while 35-year-old veteran Jeff Lima is named on the bench to play just his third game of the year. Souths have named captain Sam Burgess despite a rib injury.

Key: How Canberra’s makeshift bench can match up with the Rabbitohs’ pack, which is still one of the biggest in the league.

Tip: Raiders

Sydney Roosters v North Queensland at Allianz Stadium, 7.30pm

Head to Head: Roosters 10 Cowboys 24

Last clash: Round 23, 2016 – Roosters 22 bt Cowboys 10 at Allianz Stadium

Tab: Roosters $1.65 Cowboys $2.25

FootyTAB: Cowboys +3.5

The Roosters will be out to keep the pressure on leader leaders Melbourne with a victory over the in-form Cowboys. Despite being without Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott due to season-ending injuries, the Cowboys have put themselves in contention for a top-four berth as they hunt their fifth successive win. Winger Antonio Winterstein returns from injury, while Joseph Manu is back in the centres for the Roosters. The tri-colours will need a strong performance from Mitchell Pearce who faces off against red-hot North Queensland playmaker Michael Morgan.

Key: In what looms as his biggest test since losing JT for the year, can Morgan continue to lead the team against quality opposition?

Tip: Cowboys

SUNDAY, July 30

Melbourne v Manly at AAMI Park, 2pm

Head to Head: Storm 17 Sea Eagles 13 Draw 1

Last clash: Round 7, 2017 – Storm 30 bt Sea Eagles 26 at Lottoland

Tab: Storm $1.65 Raiders $2.25

FootyTAB: Sea Eagles +3.5

An understrength Manly were humbled by the fired-up Dragons to put a dent in their top-four hopes. They have playmaker Blake Green, a former Storm boy, and Brenton Lawrence back on deck for the clash with the competition frontrunners. No Billy Slater after being knocked out last round but the Storm are confident injured captain Cam Smith will get over the line at AAMI Park to play his 350th NRL game – with only Darren Lockyer to have notched more. The Storm know how to lift for a special occasion and should continue on their winning way.

Key: Blake Green is back on the turf where he made his NRL name and will need to shine to upset the frontrunners.

Tip: Storm

Gold Coast v Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium, 4pm

Head to Head: Titans 11 Tigers 7

Last clash: Round 16, 2017 – Titans 26 bt Tigers 14 at Campbelltown Stadium

Tab: Titans $1.28 Tigers $3.70

FootyTAB: Tigers +9.5

The Titans need to beat the Tigers to keep their slim finals hopes alive. The Tigers almost upset the Eels last week and will fancy their chances of pushing the Titans who have been prone to inconsistency all season. Jarryd Hayne inspired the Titans to victory when the two sides last met a little more than a month ago. Tigers forward Chris Lawrence returns from a pectoral injury while Sauaso Sue is back on the bench. Konrad Hurrell (hamstring) is replaced in the Titans’ centres by John Olive.

Key: It’s now or never for the Titans. Expect them to respond against the lowly Tigers.

Tip: Titans

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