Thursday, 8.05pm, Brookvale Oval

Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Jamie Lyon (c) 4 Steve Matai 5 Tom Trbojevic 6 Dylan Walker 7 Apisai Koroisau 8 Nate Myles 9 Matt Parcell 10 Brenton Lawrence 11 Martin Taupau 12 Feleti Mateo 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown 15 Josh Starling 16 Darcy Lussick 17 Siosaia Vave 18 Blake Leary 21 Luke Burgess

Rabbitohs: 1 Greg Inglis (c) 2 Kirisome Auva'a 3 Bryson Goodwin 4 Hymel Hunt 5 Aaron Gray 6 Cody Walker 7 Luke Keary 8 George Burgess 9 Cameron McInnes 10 Sam Burgess 11 Chris Grevsmuhl 12 Kyle Turner 13 Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14 Damien Cook 15 Jason Clark 16 David Tyrrell 17 Thomas Burgess 18 Paul Carter 19 Michael Oldfield

Chris Boulous writes: Both teams are missing their first choice No.7s as they attempt to find some sort of consistency in 2016. The Sea Eagles are shooting for three wins in a row after a slow start and look a far better outfit with Feleti Mateo and Matt Parcell giving them multiple points of attack. The loss of Daly Cherry-Evans is a blow but they will be buoyed by the returns of Steve Matai and Martin Taupau. The Rabbitohs will also have the services of their main man after Sam Burgess (neck) was cleared to play and not a moment too soon after back-to-back losses. For the first time this year the Rabbitohs have some size in their forward pack that will hopefully free up Greg Inglis who is down on form.

Key match-ups: Brett Stewart v  Greg Inglis, Dylan Walker v Cody Walker, Nate Myles v Sam Burgess

Did you know:  Sam Burgess will play his 100th NRL game.

Tip: Rabbitohs by 6

UBET: Sea Eagles $2.25, Rabbitohs $1.65

Titans v Broncos

Friday, 8.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Victory: Can the Titans cause another upset? Photo: Jay Cronan

Titans: 1 David Mead 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 John Olive 5 Nene Macdonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ashley Taylor 8 David Shillington 9 Nathan Friend (c) 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 Luke Douglas 15 Agnatius Paasi 16 Leivaha Pulu 17 Daniel Mortimer 18 Eddy Pettybourne 19 Cameron Cullen 20 Kierran Moseley

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Jack Reed 4 James Roberts 5 Jordan Kahu 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Adam Blair 11 Alex Glenn 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker (c). Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Sam Thaiday 16 Joe Ofahengaue 17 Kodi Nikorima

Chris Boulous writes:  Win, lose or draw against the Broncos, those waiting for the Titans bubble to burst might be waiting a while. The surprise packets continue to get the job done on the back of some old-fashioned hard work and a group of forward leaders who have taken all the pressure off their young halves. In racing terms, it's is a big step up in class this week against the premiership favourites who held their nerve against the Cowboys last week. Anthony Milford is the best player in the competition at the moment and has the luxury of playing behind a big and mobile forward pack. The return to form of James Roberts and the early comebacks of Corey Oates and Jack Reed are further boosts to Wayne Bennett's team.

Key match-ups: Ashley Taylor v Ben Hunt, Greg Bird v  Corey Parker, David Shillington v Josh McGuire

Did you know: Corey Oates was originally out for four to six weeks. He has made it back in three.

Tip: Broncos by 10

UBET: Broncos $1.23, Titans $4.25

Storm v Knights

Saturday, 3pm,  AAMI Park

Key man: Cameron Munster. Photo: Brendon Thorne

Storm: 1 Cameron Munster, 2 Young Tonumaipea, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Ben Hampton, 5 Marika Koroibete, 6 Blake Green, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Kenny Bromwich, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Felise Kaufusi, 17 Christian Welch

Knights: 1 Dane Gagai, 2 Nathan Ross, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Pat Mata'utia, 5 Cory Denniss, 6 Jarrod Mullen, 7 Trent Hodkinson (c), 8 Sam Mataora, 9 Tyler Randell, 10 Korbin Sims, 11 Jacob Safiti, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Jeremy Smith (c). Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Mickey Paea, 16 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17 Pauli Pauli

Chris Boulous writes: Last week promised to be a preview for the Knights season: tough, resilient and competitive - but only for 50 minutes. They face a Storm team who have made playing for 80 minutes their calling card for a decade and will be desperate to bounce back after their first loss of the year. The game has all the hallmarks of a Cooper Cronk masterclass as he starts to tune-up for another Origin campaign. A strong performance from Trent Hodkinson against Cronk could push his Origin claims.

Key match-ups: Cameron Munster v Dane Gagai, Cooper Cronk v Trent Hodkinson, Tohu Harris v Robbie Rochow

Did you know: After playing the Warriors in New Zealand on Easter Monday, Newcastle travelled direct to Melbourne from Auckland on Tuesday.

Tip: Storm by 16

UBET: Storm $1.12, Knights $6.35

Wests Tigers v Sharks

Saturday, 5.30pm, Campbelltown Stadium

Forward battle: Aaron Woods' match-up with Andrew Fifita will be key. Photo: Matt Blyth

Wests Tigers: 1 James Tedesco, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Tim Simona, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Jordan Rankin, 6 Mitchell Moses, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Aaron Woods (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Tim Grant, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Dene Halatau, 13 Sauaso Sue. Interchange: 14 Ava Seumanufagai, 15 Kyle Lovett, 16 Joshua Aloiai, 17 Manaia Cherrington, 18 Jack Buchanan

Sharks: 1 Ben Barba, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Jack Bird, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Valentine Holmes, 6 James Maloney, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Michael Ennis, 10 Sam Tagataese, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14 Jayson Bukuya, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Matt Prior, 17 Joseph Paulo

Chris Boulous writes: Three head-to-head clashes will ultimately determine this one. Which team can limit the attacking brilliance of James Tedesco and Ben Barba? Which forward leader will come out on top: Aaron Woods or Andrew Fifita? And, who will get the points decision between old rivals Robbie Farah and Michael Ennis. The much flaunted Wests Tigers attack will be out to bounce back after being held scoreless last week, while Paul Gallen makes a welcome return to a Sharks outfit who out-stormed the Storm last week at home.

Key match-ups: James Tedesco v Ben Barba, Mitchell Moses v James Maloney, Aaron Woods v Andrew Fifita

Did you know: Both teams enter the game on short five-day turnarounds.

Tip: Wests Tigers by 8

UBET: Wests Tigers $1.67, Sharks $2.20

Cowboys v Dragons

Sunday, 2pm, 1300SMILES Stadium

Epic clash: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys attempts to break the Brisbane defence. Photo: Bradley Kanaris

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Kyle Feldt 3 Justin O'Neill 4 Javid Bowen 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston (c) 8 Matthew Scott (c) 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant

Dragons: 1 Josh Dugan 2 Peter Mata'utia 3 Euan Aitken 4 Tim Lafai 5 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop (c) 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau 9 Mitch Rein 10 Russell Packer 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Joel Thompson 13 Jack De Belin. Interchange: 14 Mike Cooper 15 Will Matthews 16 Siliva Havili 17 Jake Marketo 18 Josh McCrone

Chris Boulous writes: The unfortunate reality for the Dragons is if the defending premiers can reach 14 points it might be hard for them to run down. Attack has been the Achilles heel of the Dragons for the best part of two years making Benji Marshall's return a timely one. Their much flaunted defence will be put to the test against a Cowboys team who were arguably the second-best team in the competition last week despite losing their grand final replay. The Cowboys have been made to make their first team change in 196 days with Javid Bowen set to debut. He will join an all-star cast that includes an in-form Michael Morgan and Jake Granville.

Key match-ups: Lachlan Coote v Josh Dugan, Johnathan Thurston v Benji Marshall, Leeson Ah Mau v Matthew Scott

Did you know:  The Cowboys have made their first lineup change since week two of the 2015 finals series.

Tip: Cowboys by 13

UBET: Cowboys $1.22, Dragons $4.35

Roosters v Warriors

Sunday, 2pm, Central Coast Stadium

Rooster booster: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will line up against his former team. Photo: Mark Kolbe

Roosters: 1 Latrell Mitchell 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Brendan Elliot 4 Blake Ferguson 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 Jayden Nikorima 7 Jackson Hastings 8 Sam Moa 9 Jake Friend (c) 10 Dylan Napa 11 Mitchell Aubusson 12 Aidan Guerra 13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Interchange: 14 Isaac Liu 15 Kane Evans 16 Mitchell Frei 17 Eloni Vunakece 24 Abraham Papalii

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 Tuimoala Lolohea, 3 Blake Ayshford, 4 Solomone Kata,5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Shaun Johnson, 7 Jeff Robson, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Simon Mannering, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Albert Vete. Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Charlie Gubb, 17 Konrad Hurrell

Chris Boulous writes: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to face his former club that is winless since he departed. The Roosters' 0-4 start has been magnified with two big losses but they did show glimpses of form last week that could have easily resulted in a win. Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been outstanding in a beaten team and his match-up with Manu Vatuvei looms as a beauty. The Warriors will be searching for consistency after notching their first win last week, with improving their slow starts priority No.1. Look to  Shaun Johnson to step up and stamp his class with a Test match a month away.

Key match-ups: Latrell Mitchell v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dylan Napa v Ben Matulino, Jake Friend v Issac Luke

Did you know: The Roosters have a five-year deal to play one game on the Central Coast every year.

Tip: Warriors by 4

UBET: Warriors $1.70, Roosters $2.15

Eels v Panthers

Sunday, 4pm, Pirtek Stadium

Local derby: The Eels will be looking to continue their good form against the Panthers. Photo: Getty Images

Eels: 1 Michael Gordon 2 Semi Radradra 3 Michael Jennings 4 Brad Takairangi 5 Clint Gutherson 6 Corey Norman 7 Kieran Foran (c) 8 Junior Paulo 9 Isaac De Gois 10 Tim Mannah 11 Manu Ma'u 12 Beau Scott 13 Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14 Kaysa Pritchard 15 Peni Terepo 16 Danny Wicks 17 Ken Edwards 18 David Gower

Panthers: 1 Matt Moylan (c) 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Peta Hiku 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Te Maire Martin 7 Jamie Soward 8 Sam McKendry 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Bryce Cartwright 12 Isaah Yeo 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Tyrone Peachey 15 Leilani Latu 16 Suaia Matagi 17 James Fisher-Harris 20 Elijah Taylor 21 Jeremy Latimore

Chris Boulous writes: The Eels seem to be getting ready for their new stadium, building their own brick wall - only on the footy field. The blue and gold have the best defence in the league conceding only 39 points in four games made more impressive considering their past three years of 89, 110 and 111. Their attack is yet to click but any team with Corey Norman, Semi Radradra and Michael Jennings can't be far away from breaking out. The Panthers welcome back their No.1 attacking weapon in Matt Moylan for the local derby and remarkably have scored 21 more points than the Eels yet have only one win to show for it. In a game where it is easy to marvel at the attacking brilliance of both teams, the forward battle is key with both teams tending to move the ball sideways before going forward last week.

Key match-ups: Michael Gordon v Matt Moylan, Junior Paulo v Sam McKendry, Tepai Moeroa v Trent Merrin

Did you know: The Eels will be looking for four wins in a row for the first time since 2009.

Tip: Eels by 10

UBET: Eels $1.50, Panthers $2.60

Bulldogs v Raiders

Monday, 7pm, Belmore Sports Ground

Welcome back: Injured Canberra Raiders players Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin are back for the Raiders. Photo: Melissa Adams

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate 2 Curtis Rona 3 Josh Morris 4 Chase Stanley 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Craig Garvey 10 James Graham (c) 11 Josh Jackson 12 Tony Williams 13 Greg Eastwood. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Tim Browne 16 David Klemmer 17 Adam Elliott 19 Lloyd Perrett

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton 2 Edrick Lee 3 Jarrod Croker (c) 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Shannon Boyd 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Frank-Paul Nuuausala 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliott Whitehead 13 Shaun Fensom. Interchange: 14 Kurt Baptiste 15 Iosia Soliola 16 Paul Vaughan 17 Joseph Tapine 18 Luke Bateman

Chris Boulous writes: Buoyed by their first half blitz against the Rabbitohs, the Bulldogs return to Belmore on extended rest looking to maintain their spot at the top of the table. It won't be easy against a Raiders team who welcome back Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer to join Josh Hodgson and Jack Wighton in one of the best attacking spines in the game. The blueprint for both teams will be eerily similar: control the ruck and let the halves create space out wide. Moses Mbye has been the main beneficiary in the opening month of the competition off the back of a dominant Bulldogs pack.

Key match-ups: Will Hopoate v Jack Wighton,  Moses Mbye v Aidan Sezer, James Graham v Shannon Boyd

Did you know: Chase Stanley will play his 100th NRL match after debuting in round 2 of 2007 for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Tip: Bulldogs by 1

UBET: Bulldogs $1.40, Raiders $3