SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Players pray after the round 25 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Sydney Roosters at Shark Park on August 27, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Jason McCawley/Getty Images

NRL Round 26 Betting Preview: Melbourne, Cronulla Highlight Week Odds Slate

OddsShark.comAug 30, 2016

The final round of the National Rugby League kicks off with two teams still in the running for the minor premiership and two sides battling it out for the eighth playoff position.

The Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks will meet in a winner-takes-all match for the minor premiership, while the Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers face their own separate daunting matches against top opposition.

Early in the season, it appeared as if Cronulla would run away with the minor premiership, but the Storm managed to stay on the heels of the Sharks. A dip in form from the Sharks paved the way for Melbourne to take top spot, but a surprise loss to the Broncos in Round 25 has again thrown the race wide open.

Cronulla sit one point behind the Storm on the ladder and are priced at $2.75 for their match this week, per NRL.com. The Storm are favorites to win the match and take the title priced at $1.44. Melbourne is also the $3.75 favorite on the Grand Final odds, according to the website AustralianGambling.com.au.

The Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans are still alive in the fight for playoff berths. The Titans are currently in the desired eighth spot, and Wests must win this week to have a shot at overtaking them.

Wests host the Canberra Raiders and stand at $2.25 to win. The Raiders, however, are in fine form and could deny the Tigers any hope as they are priced at $1.65.

Regardless of Wests' result, the Titans can secure their place in the playoffs by getting a win over the North Queensland Cowboys this week—a task that is easier said than done.

Gold Coast will be disappointed they were unable to end this battle in Round 25 at home against Penrith, as an away trip to the Cowboys is not an ideal to place to travel when needing a result. The Cowboys are $1.32 favorites for this match compared to $3.40 for the Titans.

With both the Tigers and Titans looking for wins against the odds, there is a distinct possibility that the Titans will qualify with a loss. There is no such fallback for the Sharks and Storm, though. They must win to claim the minor premiership.