STORM
Title odds: $4
Warriors 2018 results v Storm: L 10 - 50 L 6-12
August form: LLWW
The good news for the Warriors: The Storm have not quite been hitting their straps, and are still fiddling with their halves combo.
The bad news: The Camerons...Smith has overcome injury, Munster is in dangerous form The Storm will almost certainly have initial home ground advantage.
The verdict: The Storm know how to pick the Warriors apart. Storm to win comfortably over a tiring Warriors.
Quotable quote: Storm prop Jesse Bromwich: "We'll play anywhere, anytime, but home-ground advantage in a finals game is massive."
ROOSTERS
Title odds: $3.50
Warriors 2018 results v Roosters: W 30 - 6 L 0 - 32
August form: WWLL
The good news for the Warriors: Prop Dylan Napa is suspended for the first two playoff weeks and he is the big, aggressive type of forward the Warriors struggle with.
The bad news: The narrow title favourites have a power backline - including the erratic but often unstoppable Latrell Mitchell - who could destroy the Warriors centres.
The verdict: The Warriors are more than capable of upsetting the Roosters, particularly if "Nasty" Napa is missing.
Quotable quote: Sydney Morning Herald - "Napa's absence threatens to be a huge blow for the Roosters, who desperately need his direct play and grunt through the middle".
RABBITOHS
Title odds: $5
Warriors 2018 results v Rabbitohs: W 32 - 20 L 10 - 30
August form: WLLL
The good news for the Warriors: Their form of late has been patchy.
The bad news: Still to be feared in the playoff cauldron. Lots of power up the middle, and Damien Cook's dummy half running to worry about.
Verdict: Still don't fancy the Warriors against this mob — Sam Burgess will ensure they are firing on all of their considerable cylinders when it counts
Quotable quote: NRL.com pundit Jamie Soward: "They look really tired. Their Origin hangover was delayed...missed a chance to give Cook a rest and have him firing in the finals".
SHARKS
Title odds: $6
Warriors 2018 results v Sharks: L 15 - 18
Sharks August form: LWWW
The good news for the Warriors: The Sharks are running on some old legs. New Prime Minister Scott Morrison is a mad Sharks fan, and Aussie PMs aren't having much luck of late.
The bad news: Those old legs belong to some tough hombres. Giant prop Andrew Fifita on his best days is a nightmare and he is in a fiery mood.
Verdict: Cronulla all the way, even if the score is fairly close.
Quotable quote: Commentator Andrew Voss (Fox): "Alarm bells should be ringing for their finals opponents...there is still plenty of improvement left in this Cronulla side."
PANTHERS
Title odds: $31
Warriors 2018 results v Panthers: L 4 - 36 W 36 - 16
Panthers August form: WWLL
The good news for the Warriors: Panthers supremo Phil Gould's sacking of coach Anthony Griffin in sight of the finals is turning into a disaster.
The bad news: The Panthers are fightback specialists, and if James Maloney's knee is okay the Panthers will be a dangerous animal again.
The verdict: Warriors to hang on for a victory, if they get a fast start.
Quotable quote: Commentator Michael Ennis (Fox): "Penrith's form was sliding but they were finding ways to win...but since Anthony Griffin was removed they've been comprehensively beaten."
DRAGONS
Title odds: $34
Warriors 2018 results v Dragons: W 20 - 12 W 18 - 12
Dragons August form: LLWL
The good news for the Warriors: The Warriors have the wood on them. The Dragons are falling apart - even their own fans booed them last week.
The bad news: There isn't any. This is the team most teams will want to meet.
Verdict: Warriors all the way.
Quotable quote: "The Dragons are officially done" - sportingnews headline, after last week's crushing defeat against the Bulldogs at home.
BRONCOS
Title odds: $11
Warriors 2018 results v Broncos: L 18 - 27 W 26 - 6
Broncos' August form: LLWW
The good news for the Warriors: The Warriors have a recent, decent win over the Broncos.
The bad news: They Broncos have hit unexpectedly great form. Coach Wayne Bennett has won a title or two over the years, even if he is about to be pushed out of Brisbane.
The verdict: Far less confident about the Warriors chances against them than a few weeks ago.
Quotable quote: Commentator Matthew Johns (Fox): "...we're seeing it again - pressure brings out the best in Wayne Bennett-coached sides."
