We have expert betting tips for the upcoming NRL season, where the Brisbane Broncos are favoured to go back-to-back.
It’s a congested NRL betting market at the top, with the Broncos, Panthers, Storm, and Roosters heavily backed to win.
We have season predictions, including the Grand Final winner, top 8, to miss the 8, most losses, team previews, and our 2026 NRL ladder prediction.
NRL Futures Tips & Predictions
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NRL Grand Final Winner – Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos were our best value bet in 2025, paying $8.50 to win. Despite the shorter odds this year, they are good enough to produce consecutive NRL titles.
They made a couple of good off-season signings, including Grant Anderson from the Storm and Tom Duffy from the Cowboys. They will offset the loss of Selwyn Cobbo and Kobe Hetherington, and the Broncos team is dangerous top to bottom.
With several players coming off contract at the end of the season, including Jesse Arthars and Payne Haas, now is the time for the Broncos to win titles. They already have one under their belt, and another title looms in 2026.
$5 is getting short, but it’s hard to see them not finish high up the NRL ladder.
Bet: Broncos @ $5.00
Use Code: 'GOBET500'NRL Grand Final Winner Best Value – Sydney Roosters
Betting on the Sydney Roosters hasn’t been easy over the last few years, but at $6.50, we’re happy to give them another chance.
It always comes down to injuries for the Roosters, who have had a terrible recent run of bad luck. However, that could change in 2026, and we like the recent additions they have made, including Daly Cherry-Evans.
He could have a similar career to Cooper Cronk, who went to the Roosters following a long career in Melbourne and won a title. He provides some stability, and because he’s on a one-year contract, he’ll give everything he has.
A good start to the year will see the Roosters odds firm, so take the opening price as a value bet.
Bet: Roosters @ $6.50
Use Code: 'GOBET500'NRL Grand Final Winner Best Roughie – South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs were in desperate need of improvement, and with their off-season changes, they could make a deep run.
They added Adam Elliott, David Fafita, Bronson Garlick, and Edward Kosi, which gives them some much-needed grit. It was lacking last year, as the hard-working nature of the club went out the window.
The Rabbits need Cody Walker and Lattrell Mitchell to be at their professional best. If they don’t play well, they have little chance of making an impression. We trust that they’ll deliver, and punters get $26 as a roughie bet.
Bet: Rabbitohs @ $26.00
Use Code: 'GOBET500'NRL Most Losses – Gold Coast Titans
There must be one team with the most losses, and our money is always on the Gold Coast Titans.
They aren’t a good franchise, and losing a few of their best players in the offseason only adds to their pain. They showed their struggles last year, and management continues to do nothing to remedy their on-field performances.
It’s disappointing for fans because they have some good players, but long losing streaks always hit the Titans, and they’re the favourite for most losses for a season.
Bet: Titans @ $4.50
Use Code: 'GOBET500'Top 8 – New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors can be a tough team to follow, but whenever they’re not being respected in the market, that’s when they play their best.
That was the case last year with pre-season markets, and they proved their doubters wrong with a finals appearance. Losing their star halfback didn’t help matters, so the season could have ended with more success.
Punters get $2.30 for a top 8 finish, and that’s an excellent price for the Kiwis.
Bet: Warriors @ $2.30
Use Code: 'GOBET500'To Miss the 8 – Parramatta Eels
The Eels are always a team on the edge of making or missing the finals, and we’re backing them to miss the top 8 in 2026.
Mitch Moses is a legend, but he gets injured often, and his teammates don’t often pick up the slack. They have also lost some players in the offseason, and with the NRL being such a highly competitive league, the Eels could miss out.
$1.85 is the best price for a team to miss the finals.
Bet: Eels @ $1.85
Use Code: 'GOBET500'2026 NRL Team Previews
Brisbane Broncos:
The Broncos are defending champions, and although it’s not easy to do, we have them repeating. They have a stellar roster, and it’s only their attitude that would stop them from winning another NRL Premiership. Take the $5.50 odds on offer for the Broncos to win.
Canberra Raiders:
The Raiders are a $15 chance to win the premiership. That’s slightly shorter than what we would have priced them at, but they are a top 4 threat. If they play their best, coach Ricky Stuart should get the most out of them, and it all comes down to momentum heading into the finals.
Canterbury Bulldogs:
Expectations are always too high for the Bulldogs. They have improved over the last couple of years, helped by big name signings, but we don’t see them as a title chance. They should finish in the top 8, but that’s about it. We see them losing in the first or second round of the NRL Finals. $10 with bookmakers.
Cronulla Sharks:
Consistency has been lacking for the Sharks recently, but there is enough talent for them to make a splash. They are paying $15 to win, and like many teams, it all comes down to handling the pressure in the finals.
Dolphins:
After showing signs of life in 2025, the Dolphins have firmed into $21 to win. They are an exciting team that lacks leadership and experience. However, with a few seasons in the competition, now is the time for the Dolphins to show consistency. They’ll be must-see TV most weeks.
Gold Coast Titans:
Our top pick to win yet another Wooden Spoon title. We can’t see things improving anytime soon for the Titans, who have nothing going for them. Even if they start well, expect the wheels to fall off at some stage. $51 to win the prem, but they should be $101.
Manly Sea Eagles:
Losing Daly Cherry-Evans could be tough to come back from, and although they’re looking towards the future, it could take some time. $34 to win the premiership seems about right, and we wouldn’t include them in our NRL picks this year.
Melbourne Storm:
The Storm are always major title contenders. They recruit better than any team in the NRL, and even when they lose star players, they always have a youngster on the rise. They’re on the fourth line of betting at $8, which could prove to be a good bet when it’s all said and done. A top 4 spot is likely.
Newcastle Knights:
It’s hard to get excited about the Knights, who are the $67 underdogs to win the title. They have some additions to the team, which should help, and we don’t think they’ll finish last, but we can’t see them making the playoffs.
New Zealand Warriors:
A top finish is our pick for the Warriors, who love playing with the underdog tag. They are $16 to win the prem, which is on the shorter side, but there is good value elsewhere for the Kiwis. They have good players at key positions, so if they stay injury free, they could make an impact.
North Queensland Cowboys:
We fancied the Cowboys to do something in 2025, but they proved us wrong. They were disappointing, especially considering their roster. They are $29 to win the prem, and bookmakers have given up respecting them until they show something on the field. We’re in the same camp.
Parramatta Eels:
A good bet to miss the top eight. They often attract betting interest for no real reason and given how many quality teams there are this year, the Eels could be on the outside looking in for most of 2026. We have no interest in the $23 odds.
Penrith Panthers:
Rule out the Panthers at your peril. They almost won the premiership last year, and they didn’t have a super strong team on paper. However, it doesn’t matter with this team, and if Nathan Cleary is playing, they’ll always have a chance to win. The current second favourite at $6.
South Sydney Rabbitohs:
There isn’t much love for the Rabbitohs at $26, but they could play better than the market suggests. They have good players in key positions, and it’s all about building a winning culture. If they get on a winning run, they could be tough to stop.
St George-Illawarra Dragons:
At $51, there isn’t much support for the Dragons. Their lack of consistency is a big worry, and they should finish closer to the bottom than the top.
Sydney Roosters:
A major title threat if they stay healthy. That’s always the big worry for the Roosters, but we expect them to play well with Daly Cherry-Evans at the helm. It should give him a new lease on life, and the results could be a title.
Wests Tigers:
They struggle to put wins on the board, and it should be another long year for Tigers’ fans. $41 to win, which is about right.
2026 NRL Ladder Prediction
1. Broncos
2. Roosters
3. Storm
4. Panthers
5. Rabbitohs
6. Sharks
7. Raiders
8. Warriors
9. Bulldogs
10. Dolphins
11. Eels
12. Cowboys
13. Tigers
14. Knights
15. Sea Eagles
16. Dragons
17. Titans
