PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND-24 MATCHES (all times AEST):

THURSDAY August 23

Wests Tigers v Manly at Leichhardt Oval, 19:50

Head to Head: Wests Tigers 11 Sea Eagles 15

Last clash: Round 6, 2018 – Wests Tigers 38 bt Sea Eagles 12 at Lottoland

Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.54 Sea Eagles $2.50

FootyTAB: Sea Eagles +4.5

It will take a near-miracle for the Tigers to make finals so they simply must win this to be any chance. They have come unstuck against lower-ranked teams this year and an under-fire Manly looms as another danger game. Drama continues to plague the Sea Eagles as coach Trent Barrett prepares to leave the club at the end of the season.

Key: The Tigers need to make up points on rivals in the top-eight so they will need their attack to click.

Tip: Wests Tigers

FRIDAY August 24

Warriors v Penrith at Mt Smart Stadium, 18:00

Head to Head: Warriors 14 Panthers 21 Draw 1

Last clash: Round 17, 2018 – Panthers 36 bt Warriors 4 at Panthers Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Warriors $2.20 Panthers $1.68

FootyTAB: Panthers +3.5

A battle of two stumbling teams limping into finals after shock defeats against also-rans. Being back at home should play into the Warriors’ favour, despite their inconsistent record, but the Panthers still have a shot at a top-four spot though will need to lift significantly. Tyrone Peachey has been switched into the halves to partner with Nathan Cleary in the absence of James Maloney.

Key: Cleary and rival halfback Shaun Johnson have struggled for recent form, but they won’t stay down for long.

Tip: Warriors

North Queensland v Parramatta at 1300SMILES Stadium, 19:55

Head to Head: Cowboys 18 Eels 18 Draw 1

Last clash: Round 14, 2018 – Eels 20 bt Cowboys 14 at TIO Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Cowboys $1.49 Eels $2.65

FootyTAB: Eels +5.5

Possibly the most-hyped wooden spoon battle in history with the Cowboys desperate to send Johnathan Thurston out a winner for his last game in Townsville. Stars Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo are back to shore up North Queensland’s forward pack. Jarryd Hayne is back to some of his best form and will play a vital role for the Eels.

Key: Will the Cowboys pressure themselves too much to deliver a win for Thurston?

Tip: Cowboys

SATURDAY August 25

Canberra v South Sydney at GIO Stadium, 15:00

Head to Head: Raiders 13 Rabbitohs 12

Last clash: Round 7, 2018 – Rabbitohs 42 bt Raiders 22 at Central Coast Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Raiders $2.42 Rabbitohs $1.57

FootyTAB: Raiders +4.5

Canberra could prove giant-killers in the final two rounds after upsetting Sydney Roosters last Sunday. The Raiders still boast the best attacking record in the competition, but they finally stood up defensively against the Roosters. With a top-two spot on the line, the Rabbitohs can’t afford anymore slip-ups.

Key: Will the Raiders’ defensive pressure stand up against a powerful South Sydney unit?

Tip: Rabbitohs

Gold Coast v Melbourne at Cbus Super Stadium, 17:30

Head to Head: Titans 6 Storm 12

Last clash: Round 10, 2018 – Storm 28 bt Titans 14 at Suncorp Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Titans $2.80 Storm $1.44

FootyTAB: Titans +6.5

This is a danger game for the injury-ravaged Storm, who have some big outs. They’ve named skipper Cameron Smith, who was a first half casualty last round with a back injury, and will be counting on his miracle recovery powers to get up. The Titans had a morale-boosting win over Manly in their last outing and will fancy their chances of knocking over the finals-bound Storm.

Key: Smith – the Storm have lost more than 70 per cent of games he’s missed.

Tip: Titans

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane at Allianz Stadium, 19:35

Head to Head: Roosters 17, Broncos 20

Last clash: Round 11, 2018 – Roosters 28 bt Broncos 22 at Suncorp Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Roosters $1.50 Broncos $2.62

FootyTAB: Broncos +6.5

With Brisbane knocking off the Rabbitohs last round, this looms as the match of the round. The Roosters were shock losers in Canberra but have key duo Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back from injury. Having missed the past three games Keary’s comeback is a major boost for a Roosters side, who have missed his attacking spark.

Key: The Roosters need to shut down in-form Broncos wing Corey Oates, who bagged a hat-trick against Souths.

Tip: Sydney Roosters

SUNDAY August 26

Cronulla v Newcastle at Southern Cross Group Stadium, 14:00

Head to Head: Sharks 17, Knights 20

Last clash: Round 12, 2018 – Sharks 48 bt Knights 10 at McDonald Jones Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.35 Knights $3.25

FootyTAB: Knights +8.5

Sitting sixth and with their closest challengers for an all-important top four finals berth in shaky form, this is a golden opportunity for the Sharks. They crushed the Knights in their last meeting through their physical dominance through the middle. Andrew Fifita has been in the spotlight for his post-try outburst but all will be be forgiven in the Sharks camp if he keeps delivering.

Key: Knights five-eighth Kalyn Ponga, who leads the NRL in tackle breaks heading into the final two rounds.

Tip: Sharks

St George Illawarra v Canterbury at Jubilee Oval, 16:10

Head to Head: Dragons 12 Bulldogs 23

Last clash: Round 14, 2018 – Dragons 18 bt Bulldogs 16 at ANZ Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Dragons $1.58 Bulldogs $2.40

FootyTAB: Bulldogs +5.5

After snapping a three-game losing streak, the Dragons will be hoping their season is back on track and they can lock in a top-four finish. But the Bulldogs have claimed some scalps over the last month and will relish putting their cross-town rivals under the pump. They are still in the mix for the wooden spoon, giving them a little added motivation.

Key: Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis showed the DNA of a match-winner, slotting a field goal to snatch a victory over the Warriors.

Tip: Dragons