NRL preview for punters round 26 | Thebigtip

The last round of the regular season is finally upon us. Its now officially do or die for the few teams still in contention for a finals birth. The sides who have secured a top eight spot will also be desperate to secure a home final, thus giving themselves the best possible chance of going deep into September.

GOLD COAST TITANS V WESTS TIGERS

The Titans will be desperate to return to the winner’s circle following their first loss in six matches last week against the Cronulla Sharks. John Cartwright’s men will no doubt come out firing against a Tigers side missing big name players Chris Lawrence, Liam Fulton and Bryce Gibbs. The loss of Lawrence in particular is a big blow to the Tigers, given the lethal combination he has developed with winger Lote Tuqiri. Still, Tigers stars Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall are showcasing the form which led Tim Sheens’ men to the NRL Premiership back in 2005. The Titans however also have Scott Prince in fine form, and if the forwards can lay him a suitable platform, the Gold Coast will go a long way to beating a Tigers outfit somewhat undermanned.

Tip - Titans

BRISBANE BRONCOS V CANBERRA RAIDERS

This is the last roll of the dice for the baby Broncos, who still find themselves without star talisman Darren Lockyer for this clash. The odds of them defeating a Raiders team which has won seven of their past eight matches are not good at all. This would have to rank as one of the Broncos greatest ever victories if they were to upstage arguably the NRL’s form team at the moment. As Brisbane literally limp towards September, the Green Machine are firing on all corners and are firming as a dark horse for the premiership. If the likes of Josh Dugan and Terry Campese dominate early, the score could be anything for Canberra. This game really is there for the Raiders to win, and with a spot in the finals on the line, Dave Furner’s men will not let the hard work over the past ten weeks go to ruin against a Brisbane team devoid of quality.

Tip - Raiders

PARRAMATTA EELS V NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

The Warriors are looking more formidable by the week and will fancy their chances against an Eels team which has been hugely disappointing in season 2010. New Zealand are playing a tough and uncompromising style of footy, evidenced by their 36-4 thrashing of the Broncos last week. Parramatta on the other hand have simply never put it together for the full eighty minutes this year, and will most likely lose interest in this match if things don’t go their way early. With a top four spot on the line, the Warriors should have too much enthusiasm for the Eels, although with nothing to play for, Parramatta might just showcase the attacking flair which steered them to last year’s grand final. A tricky game to tip but the Warriors have showcased enough on the road to suggest they will be primed for a big performance on the eve of the finals.

Tip - Warriors

PENRITH PANTHERS V CRONULLA SHARKS

Despite their lofty position on the ladder, the Panthers form over the last eight weeks raises huge questions about their capabilities to lift the Premiership. A last minute victory over the hapless Bulldogs on Monday night only continues to grow the doubt surrounding Penrith’s Premiership bid. With inspirational captain Petero Civoncieva suspended for the next two matches, the Panthers will be forced to dig deep against a Sharks outfit which has already claimed the scalps of finals bound side’s the Roosters and Titans over the past three weeks. If Penrith show up with the lacklustre attitude that nearly cost them victory against the Bulldogs, another tough night at CUA stadium is on the cards for Matthew Elliott’s men. The Panthers really should win this match but something suggests all is not well at the foot of the mountains.

Tip - Panthers