NRL round 26: Roosters v Dolphins betting tips
Sydney Roosters host the hard-charging Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday in what is not only a clear match of the NRL round but could be one of the matches of the season.
There is just so much at stake for both teams that there is no doubt this one will be played with finals intensity.
For the Roosters, a win means they stay in the race to finish top two and potentially get an armchair ride into the grand final; a loss means they run some risk of missing out on the top four entirely, as they face a tough final-round derby showdown against arch rivals the Rabbitohs, who would love nothing more than giving the tri-colours a smack in the mouth.
For the Dolphins, they are already headed for their first finals campaign but they can start to dream bigger. A win here would all but lock up a top-four spot and they could even push for a top-two spot and a home final. A loss and their top-four hopes will depend on how the Sharks shape up in their final two matches of the season.
The Dolphins are known for their dazzling attack, but they cannot afford to give away a start, something that has become a habit in recent weeks against the likes of the Broncos and Parramatta. They have been good enough to round up those teams and win running away but the Roosters, who have got where they are on the back of stellar defence, would prove for tougher to overhaul.
Some of the match-ups in this one are worth the price of admission alone: Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and centre Robert Toia versus their opposite numbers Selwyn Cobbo and Herbie Farnworth; rival fullbacks James Tedesco and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow … not to mention an intriguing halves battle and a brutal coming together in the forwards.
This is a match not to be missed whether you are a Roosters or Dolphins fan or just an aficionado of the game.
Roosters v Dolphins team news
Roosters: The Roosters get a big boost for this clash with veteran captain James Tedesco (ankle) named after three games out. His stand-in Cody Ramsey was impressive in the No.1 jersey and could offer a dangerous spark off the bench. The Roosters lose hard-hitting forward Victor Radley (head knock), with Nat Butcher named to take his place at lock. Prop Taylor Losalu joins the interchange bench.
Dolphins: The Dolphins have name the same 17 that overpowered the Eels last round. Industrious utility Kurt Donoghoe (thumb) is back among the reserves and he could be a late inclusion after not playing since round 23.
Panthers head NRL title betting
Penrith are again the clear outright favourites to land another NRL title as their nearest recent challengers Sydney Roosters slipped up against also-ran Wests Tigers last weekend.
With two rounds to play, the Warriors, Panthers and Roosters are separated only by points differential, with the fast-charging Dolphins only a win behind that trio and the Sharks another win back.
Sydney Roosters eased from $3.75 out to around $4.50, where they were joined by the Wahs, who have struck a rich vein of form and have the scent of a first NRL title in their nostrils.
The Dolphins surprisingly eased from $7.50 out to $9, but if you fancy the team from Redcliffe to land the title, now would be a good time to back them; if they beat the Roosters this weekend, the lid will be well and truly off as far as their grand final chances go.
Elsewhere, the Rabbitohs and Knights are given outside chances, but the Raiders and Storm had their chances finally extinguished last weekend and have disappeared from the NRL title markets.
Read on for our Roosters v Dolphins tips and winner prediction for their round-25 NRL clash.
Roosters v Dolphins match information
- Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT, Saturday, August 29
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Head to head odds: Roosters $1.55, Dolphins $2.45
- Line betting: Roosters (-4.5 points) $1.90, Dolphins (+4.5 points) $1.90
- Match total: 47.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
2026 NRL premiership betting
$3.20 Penrith Panthers
$4.50 Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors
$9 Redcliffe Dolphins
$13 Cronulla Sharks
$23 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$26 Newcastle Knights
$51 North Queensland Cowboys
$67 Canterbury Bulldogs,
$201 Manly Sea Eagles
Roosters v Dolphins betting tips
The last times these teams met, the Dolphins won 48-10 at Suncorp Stadium in round 15 this year, but we can’t read too much into that as both teams were missing State of Origin players. The Roosters were especially hard hit with seven players absent.
Meanwhile, the Roosters won the previous four clashes between the teams by an average of 21 points, skewed by the 64-12 flogging the Roosters delivered late last season.
But the Dolphins have a sense of purpose about them lately and with the Roosters being exposed last weekend 25-24 by the battling Tigers, this a great chance for Kristian Woolf’s men to lock in a top-four spot and a real shot at the title.
Dolphins by 2 points.
- Dolphins to win/match total over 47.5 points at $4.80 with Australian betting sites.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow anytime try-scorer at $2.25. The Hammer rarely fails deliver on the big stage.
NRL round 26, 2026
- Thursday, August 27: Broncos v Storm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7.50pm
- Friday, August 28: Sea Eagles v Dragons, 4 Pines Park, Sydney | 6pm
Panthers v Bulldogs, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 8pm - Saturday, August 29: Titans v Rabbitohs, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 3pm
Roosters v Dolphins, Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 5.30pm
Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7.35pm - Sunday, August 30: Warriors v Knights, Go Media Stadium, Auckland | 2pm
Eels v Sharks, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 4.05pm
* Raiders have the bye
