NRL Odds:St George Illawarra Dragons $1.46 (-6.5.) / New Zealand Warriors $2.75 (+6.5)
Both sides go into this clash coming off big losses and will be looking to get themselves back on track here.
St George has lost three of their last five games, conceding on average 27.2 points per game. Given they've been near full strength for all bar one of those five games, it's a dire sign for the Dragons.
They will need to regain some of their early-season form if they want to reverse their fortunes this week.
New Zealand has lost four of their past five games, conceding an average of 21.6 points in each. The return of Isaac Luke and Adam Blair is sure to improve the Warriors, who can't afford to play like they did against the Titans in Round 20.
With so much on the line, expect both teams to come out firing.
A win for the Dragons will go a long way to securing a top-four position, while a loss for the Warriors will see them fall well out of top-four contention.
Gareth Widdop's new hairdo seems to have set the Dragons on the downward spiral, in what is the worst gear change since the 1975 Grand Final, when Changa Langland's donned the 'white boots'.
With the Dragons winning only one of their past three games, Widdop has accounted for one try and one try-assist, compared to halves partner Ben Hunt who has three of each.
Widdop, along with the Dragons defence will need to lift for this one.
I Luke (Warriors), A Blair (Warriors)
S Lisone (Warriors), J Vuna (Warriors), K Lawton (Warriors)
Fine and 18 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Dragons 24.2 / Warriors 18.5
Average points conceded: Dragons 18.5 / Warriors 19.6
The Dragons have conceded an average 27.2 points in their last five games
New Zealand has covered the line at 57.9% this year: Warriors to cover the line +6.5 @ $1.90
Euan Aitken (3) leads the Dragons in first try scorers this season: Euan Aitken first try scorer @ $11
Clashes at WIN Stadium have averaged 45.0 total match points: 'Over' match line of 41.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Warriors +6.5@ $1.90
Reasoning: St George has had mixed form of late and will need to go up a gear or two to find their best and cover the line.
New Zealand welcome back two Kiwi representatives for this clash, most notably Isaac Luke. With the star rake in the line-up, the Warriors are a different team.
Don't be surprised to see the Warriors give the Dragons plenty of headaches in this one.
Missed our Betting Tips for the early NRL games?Read it here
Parramatta showed plenty of fight last week, falling only narrowly to the Bunnies after a poor last 20 minutes and a disallowed Jarryd Hayne try.
Hayne's return to form has been the catalyst for the Eels improved performances in recent weeks.
Whilst Parra has won only two of their past six games, they have shown fight in every loss, with an average losing margin of only 5.6 points.
The Titans have won two of their last five, however last week was a different story.
In arguably their best performance of the year, the Titans took themselves out of wooden spoon contention dominating the Warriors on the Gold Coast last week.
Off the back of such an impressive performance, it's surprising to see the Titans outsiders for this clash.
G Jennings (Eels), J Salmon (Eels), K Evans (Eels)
D Alvaro (Eels), K Pritchard (Eels), D Gower (Eels)
Fine and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored per game: Eels 15.1 / Titans 19.4
Average points conceded per game: Eels 22.4 / Titans 24.4
Ash Taylor (17) has the most try assists in the league
Key NRL Betting Stats
The Eels have only covered the line at a meagre 31.6% this season
Phillip Sami (3) leads both teams in first try scorers this season: Phillip Sami first try scorer @ $14
Clashes at ANZ Stadium have averaged 33.8 total match points: 'Under' match line of 42.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: No Bet
Reasoning: After such a dominant display last week, you'd expect the Titans to be too strong for the Eels. However, with an away record of 3 wins from 10 this season, it's hard to be confident backing them.
The Roosters are timing their run perfectly. Having won four of their past five games, they now have their sights set on a home final.
Sydney was dominant in their 18-point win over the Dragons last week, with James Tedesco continuing his scintillating form, running for an impressive 220m.
Not to be outdone, Latrell Mitchell bagged a hat-trick of tries and will no doubt prove a handful for the Cowboys' right edge defence.
The only sour note from the Chooks dominant win last week, was the loss of five-eighth Luke Keary, who is now out for four weeks with a knee injury.
North Queensland, led by JT, put in a spirited performance in a come from behind 2-point win over the Knights in Round 20.
However, a repeat of that performance will not be good enough against a confident and in-form Roosters outfit.
It's difficult to imagine the Cowboys staying in this contest for too long.
D Napa (Roosters), K Baptise (Roosters)
L Keary (Roosters), L Collins (Roosters)
Fine and 14 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Roosters 22.8 / Cowboys 16.1
Average points conceded: Roosters 14.8 / Cowboys 21.3
The Roosters have averaged 37.3 points their last three games
Key NRL Betting Stats
Sydney has covered the line at 63.2% this season: Roosters to cover the line -11.5 @$1.90
Latrell Mitchell (5) leads both teams in first-try scorers this season: Latrell Mitchell first try scorer @ $9.50
Clashes at Allianz Stadium have averaged 40.0 total match points: 'Under' match line of 42.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Roosters to win by a margin of 13+ @ $1.90
Reasoning: The Roosters are in fine form and have the Cowboys covered in every aspect of the game.
With a home final beckoning and the Chooks in a different class, you'd expect them to put the Cowboys to the sword.
Aug 03, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
I Luke (Warriors), A Blair (Warriors)
S Lisone (Warriors), J Vuna (Warriors), K Lawton (Warriors)
Fine and 18 degrees.
Key NRL stats
NRL Betting Tip: Warriors +6.5@ $1.90 
= High Confidence
