NRL Round 7 odds and schedule; Anzac Day round

Round seven is Anzac Day weekend round and kicks off on Thursday, April 22, with an extra match on Sunday and only two played on Saturday. Our NRL betting expert examines the NRL action for the week ahead. 

The round seven opener is an interesting contest as the high-flying and unbeaten Penrith Panthers host the Newcastle Knights. These two teams played a 14-14 draw last season, but the Knights are in desperate need of a big showing here just to get their season headed in the right direction.

The early Friday night match is arguably the match of the round as the much-touted Gold Coast host the South Sydney Rabbitohs, with the Titans desperate to bounce back from a humiliating 36-0 loss to the resurgent Manly in Mudgee in round 6.

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More: NRL betting guide
NRL match betting previews and tips

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Souths will head into the match without Dally M leader Latrell Mitchell, who was on report for three separate incidents in the Bunnies’ astonishing win against the Wests Tigers.

In the later Friday match, the Broncos look like cannon fodder for the impressive Parramatta at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

The Sharks could regain exciting playmaker Shaun Johnson from a long-term Achilles injury when they host the Bulldogs on Saturday evening, while Ricky Stuart’s Raiders head to Townsville to play the Cowboys in an angry mood after their capitulation against the Eels at the weekend.

The match of the round is arguably the traditional Anzac Day match between the Roosters and the Dragons, with the Roosters decimated by injury and in desperate need of the two points.

This is a chance for the Dragons to announce themselves as a serious side and also to deliver a hammer blow to the Roosters’ title chances. The Dragons could regain clever utility Ben Hunt for this match.

The round finishes on Sunday night with another traditional Anzac Day clash between the Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park.

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NRL Premiership odds before Round 7

The major movers near the top of NRL premiership betting after round six were the defending premiers Melbourne Storm, who were around $6 into $4.60 equal second favourites with TopSport.

The Storm dismissed fellow contenders Sydney Roosters with ease, and young hooker Harry Grant was outstanding, along with incumbent hooker Brandon Smith. That pair combined brilliantly to show there is life after Cameron Smith in the No.9 jersey for the Storm.

There remains a big six in premiership betting heading into round seven, though that is in danger of quickly becoming a big four as the Roosters and Canberra Raiders were poor at the weekend and need to stop the rot quickly or risk spiralling into the also-ran category.

The injury struck Roosters were $8 out to $9.50 and face more injury woes with veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (shoulder) and tough forward Siosiua Taukeiaho (ribs) facing weeks on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the Raiders were completely outgunned by Parramatta in Canberra and are $10 out to $11 in premiership betting; a loss on the road to the Cowboys next weekend and their season will be in tatters.

Gold Coast Titans eased from $17 to $26 after their thrashing at the hands of Manly, who were the big movers among the lower-rated teams in from $81 to $51. The Sea Eagles looked a different team after finally getting “Turbo” Tom Trbejovic back from a long-term hamstring injury.

Cronulla lost a tough one to the Knights under interim coach Josh Hannay and eased from $34 to $67 after their perplexing decision to appoint Craig Fitzgibbon as new coach for 2022 at this stage of the 2021 season.

NRL title odds 2021

$3.50 Penrith Panthers
$4.60 South Sydney Rabbitohs, Melbourne Storm
$9 Parramatta Eels
$9.50 Sydney Roosters
$11 Canberra Raiders,
$26 Gold Coast Titans
$31 St George Illawarra Dragons
$51 Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles
$67 Cronulla Sharks, New Zealand Warriors
$101 Brisbane Broncos
$151 Wests Tigers
$201 North Queensland Cowboys
$501 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

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NRL Round 7 fixture, odds and times

Thursday, April 22

7:50pm: Penrith Panthers $1.15 v Newcastle Knights $5.40

Friday, April 23

• 6pm: Gold Coast Titans $2.90 v South Sydney Rabbitohs $1.40
• 7:55pm: Parramatta Eels $1.18 v Brisbane Broncos $4.60

Saturday, April 24

• 5.30pm Cronulla Sharks $1.19 v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs $4.60
• 7:35pm: North Queensland Cowboys $3.80 v Canberra Raiders $1.26

Sunday, April 25

• 1.45pm Wests Tigers $2.55 v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles $1.50
• 4:05pm: Sydney Roosters $1.60 v St George Illawarra Dragons $2.35
• 6.15pm: Melbourne Storm $1.11 v New Zealand Warriors $6.40

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