Top eight race explained: Two rounds left, seven teams in the hunt for the last two finals spots

WITH just two rounds to go, seven teams remain in the hunt for two finals spots. It's a confusing scenario, but this guide will get you through.

THE Broncos sit way down in 13th spot but they just may be a better shot of making the finals than the ninth-placed Titans and 10th-placed Panthers.

Confused? You should be. With just two rounds to go, seven teams are still in the hunt for the last two finals spots, throwing up an array of mathematical possibilities.

Here's a rundown of the teams in contention and what they need to do to feature in September.

KNIGHTS (7th, 25 points)
Run home: Broncos (A), Eels (H)
With a one-point buffer and superior for and against (+50) than the six teams below them in the chasing pack, Wayne Bennett's men were already in the box seat even before you looked at their opponents for the last two rounds - or more specifically, the last round. A match-up with the lowly Eels in round 26 means the Knights should finish on at least 27 points, meaning at least two of the contending teams below them would need to win both of their final games to knock them out. But nothing is assured in sport so the Knights still need to win at least one of their last two games. The Broncos are first up on Friday night and they'll be desperate as it's a must-win for them.
Top 8 odds: $1.25
 
COWBOYS (8th, 24 points)
Run home: Sharks (A), Tigers (H)
The Cows have played themselves into a cracking position with four straight wins since the now-ridiculous looking decision was made to sack Neil Henry at the end of the season. With Johnathan Thurston and Co. clicking, a final-round encounter with the struggling Tigers up in Townsville and a strong points differential (+35), signs are pointing to a September appearance. But they face a huge test on Sunday afternoon against the Sharks, where a loss could take their destiny out of their own hands.
Top 8 odds: $1.60

TITANS (9th, 24 points)
Run home: Roosters (A), Storm (A)
It doesn't get much tougher than facing the Roosters and the Storm away to close out the season, especially when the Titans need to win both games to be any real chance of finals footy. The Titans will take inspiration out of the Sharks' upset against the Chooks on Monday night. But at the same time, let's hope they didn't watch the Storm put 60 on the Eels.
Top 8 odds: $34

PANTHERS (10th, 24 points)
Run home: Bulldogs (A), Sea Eagles (A)
Not quite as brutal as the Titans' run home, but it's pretty close. A Saturday night clash against the Bulldogs - who pushed premiership fancies the Rabbitohs last round - followed by a Sunday afternoon at Brookvale to face a Sea Eagles side that has won seven of its past eight matches. This weekend is must-win for the mountain men.
Top 8 odds: $21

WARRIORS (11th, 24 points)
Run home: Raiders (H), Dragons (A)
Very winnable games against the Raiders in New Zealand and the dreadful Dragons in Wollongong mean the Warriors are every chance of sneaking into the eight. After narrow losses to the Panthers and Sharks this month, the Warriors showed they can battle out the close ones with a 24-22 win against the Titans on Saturday. But the fight's far from over.
Top 8 odds: $1.90

RAIDERS (12th, 24 points)
Run home: Warriors (A), Sharks (H)
How the Raiders could do with a player of the calibre of Blake Ferguson right about now. Off-field dramas look to have derailed Canberra's season, with only unlikely back-to-back victories against the Warriors across the Tasman and the Sharks in the nation's capital able to keep their 2013 campaign going. A shocking for and against (-136) means they have to win two from two.
Top 8 odds: $9

BRONCOS (13th, 23 points)
Run home: Knights (H), Bulldogs (H)
Not the easiest of opponents, but the fact the Broncos play both the Knights and Bulldogs at Suncorp - and that one's on a Friday night and the other a Thursday night - mean the Broncos' season is far from over. Then again, the only teams Brisbane have beaten of late are the Eels and Dragons, who are last and second last respectively. You could also throw in a victory over North Queensland in round 20, but that was before the Cowboys turned the corner.
Top 8 odds: $13

Odds courtesy of tab.com.au