Jeremy Darke

The Roosters are tipped to make another statement at Allianz Stadium, with Melbourne’s depleted spine unlikely to produce enough points to stay with Sydney across 80 minutes. Sydney have won six of seven games at Allianz Stadium this season and return home after a controlled 28-12 victory over Parramatta. Their recent defensive form has been just as impressive as their attack, and that balance makes the Roosters strong candidates to win by 13+ against a Storm side missing several key playmakers.

Expect a finals-style arm wrestle at Ocean Protect Stadium, with Cronulla and Newcastle tipped to stay under the total and the winner unlikely to get away by more than 12 points. Both teams sit inside the top five, but there is still a question over how genuine either side is as a premiership threat. Cronulla have won six of their last seven, while Newcastle have won seven of their last nine, although much of that success has come against teams sitting outside the top eight.

Sydney should respond at home after being overrun by Fremantle, but Adelaide is playing well enough to keep this competitive. The Swans 1-39 winning margin looks the best way to approach a match that should remain close deep into the final term. Sydney has won six of its past seven meetings with Adelaide, with five of those victories landing inside the 1-39 margin.