LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The 2025 NRL season has proven to be one of the most challenging for tippers, and as teams vie for playoff spots, it seems unlikely to become easier.
Tipping winners consistently on weekends is nearly impossible, but we can highlight three notable match-ups to guide your choices.
Several games this weekend could be labeled as "sure thing" wins, including the Warriors against the Titans, the Panthers over the Tigers, the Sharks against the Rabbitohs, and the Raiders versus the Knights.
However, despite past shortcomings, I believe the Broncos are the safest bet this weekend.
The Broncos had a week off to recharge, having finally reunited their first-choice spine.
The key return of Ben Hunt from injury enhances their tactical play, adding depth and calmness to their strategy.
This allows coach Walters to make effective substitutions when the opponent's defense begins to tire.
While the Eels have been vocal about their determination to secure wins, they struggle to maintain performance throughout the full 80 minutes.
The return of Mitchell Moses should bolster their chances, but any mistakes against Brisbane could be severely punished.
Given the season's history of surprise outcomes, I might reconsider, but I feel strongly that the Broncos are on a positive trajectory toward the finals and should win decisively.
Round 21 sure thing: Broncos
In another match, the North Queensland Cowboys face off against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Cowboys recently struggled against the Dolphins, lacking a full 80 minutes of solid football, especially defensively.
Coach Todd Payten must be feeling frustrated as he tries to extract a consistent performance from his players.