NRL Round 8 Betting Picks and Analysis for the Top Games

The important battle for points in the NRL continues this weekend across Australia and New Zealand, with some intriguing clashes involving some of the biggest teams.

The Sharks were the biggest winners in the NRL last weekend after they moved to the summit with a dominant success against the Cowboys. But, which teams could be primed to make their challenges for playoff positions in the eighth round of fixtures?

You can find out more about some of the most interesting fixtures with MyBookie’s NRL Round 8 odds for the top matches along with the betting predictions.

NRL Betting Odds for the Top Matches for 2024 Round 8: Include Picks for Each | MyBookie Australian’s Rugby League Betting Preview for the Top Games

2024 NRL season | 117th season of professional rugby league in Australia / 27th season run by the National Rugby League

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

A big day is set for the Storm on Thursday, as they play their highly emotional home fixture on ANZAC Day. A new rival awaits in the tradition for Craig Bellamy’s team, but there is hope that the Storm can maintain their excellent record in the annual affair.

Their excellent record has seen them win ten of their 13 matches on ANZAC Day since the start of the tradition in 2009, and their confidence of maintaining that record will be high this week.

They come into this match sitting second bottom in the standings after winning just once across their opening six matches. Meanwhile, they already have the worst points difference in the competition. It appears hard to overlook the Storm from landing an eighth straight win in ANZAC Day games, especially considering that the Rabbitohs have lost all 18 of their matches played in Melbourne.

NRL Pick: Storm -556 | NRL Footy Odds MyBookie Rugby Betting Lines for the Matches

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers

There will be pressure on the Cowboys to bounce back this weekend when they return to action in front of their home fans. Todd Payten’s side were firmly put in their place by the Sharks in the previous round of matches, but they have still won four of their opening seven matches this term. Offensively, they don’t appear to have many issues, but they will need to tighten up defensively after already allowing a second-worst total number of points this term.

Penrith Panthers appear to be hitting their groove at this stage of the season, as they target a third straight title. Their well-drilled defense has allowed just 15 points per game this term, and a victory this weekend could potentially see them end the round at the top of the standings.

It appears hard to get over the fact that the Panthers should win this encounter after winning five of their last seven against the Cowboys. It may also be worth taking the visitors on the spread against a Cowboys side that has already allowed 129 points across their last four matches.

NRL Pick: Panthers -9.5 -125 | NRL Footy Odds MyBookie Rugby Betting Lines for the Matches

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The current leaders in the NRL ladder will be looking to press home their advantage at the summit this weekend. It has been an excellent start to the campaign for the Sharks after winning five of their opening six matches, meaning that they sit top of the pile courtesy of their superiority in terms of points difference.

Meanwhile, the Raiders will shake up their team this weekend due to the injury picked up by Jamal Fogarty in their previous outing, with youngster Kaeo Weekes likely to be handed an opportunity. The Raiders will also be looking to get back on track after falling to a 34-10 loss at the hands of the Broncos.

The Raiders have an impressive home record after winning five of their last six at the GIO Stadium. But, the Sharks have looked so strong in the attacking areas after scoring 112 points in their last three matches. Therefore, an away win looks to be a solid selection.

NRL Pick: Sharks -313 | NRL Footy Odds MyBookie Rugby Betting Lines for the Matches

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