Blythy’s Round 7 Rev Up

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. North Queensland Cowboys

ANZ Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday April 26

Prediction: Canterbury head into this game as favourites after a narrow loss to South Sydney, though Wayne Bennett had a point when he said the Dogs were lucky not to be penalised for slowing down the ruck to that extreme. The Cowboys broke a four game losing streak with a win over the Warriors, and genuinely looked a good football side. They'll have to do it without Taumalolo again, but on the back of Morgan and McGuire, they'll get the job done. Cowboys by 8.

Penrith Panthers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs

Panthers Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday April 26

Prediction: This one looks trickier than you'd think. Souths are 5-1 but have only managed narrow wins over lower ranked teams like the Gold Coast, Canterbury and the Warriors, though Penrith have been far from crash hot themselves. Their forward pack must stand up if they want any chance of winning, and with South's playing scrappy footy, Penrith will sneak home, at home. Penrith by 1.

Wests Tigers vs. Gold Coast Titans

Scully Park, 5:30pm, Saturday April 27

Prediction: When you're a Michael Maguire coached team and concede 50+ points in a game, he's going to let you know about it. Madge will have the Tigers working overtime before their home game in Tamworth, facing a Gold Coast side that you just can't see winning three on the trot. Expect Brooks to star alongside Farah as they dismantle an inconsistent Gold Coast outfit. Wests by 13.

Brisbane Broncos vs. Cronulla Sharks

Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday April 27

Prediction: Another interesting clash, Brisbane head in favourites despite a 1-5 start of the season. Cronulla are without boom youngster Briton Nikora, while Brisbane have included young half Sam Dearden on the reserves to show Nikorima and Milford that their form won't go unpunished if stays this way. Brisbane are overdue for a win, expect Corey Oates to bag two tries, both from Darius Boyd cut out passes. Brisbane by 12.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Canberra Raiders

Lottoland, 2:00pm, Sunday April 28

Prediction: Toss of a coin. I know you could argue Canberra are sitting 3rd and in top form, but you can't help but feel they're peaking early. Someone like a Marty Taupau could really tear through Canberra's mobile forward pack. On a sunny afternoon at Lottoland, a Daly Cherry-Evans and Taupau masterclass will steer Manly home. Manly by 2.

Newcastle Knights vs. Parramatta Eels

McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday April 28 

Prediction: Upset of the round? A large portion of teams that score 50 or more in a game go on to lose the next week, and with reports of Nathan Brown's job in Newcastle in jeopardy, the Knights will lift at home. There's no secret he's a coach players love to play for, but unfortunately an NRL coach's job safety isn't judged on likeability. He needs runs on the board and he'll get one this week with a Newcastle win. Knights by 6.