Broncos v Panthers NRL Rd 18 betting tips | Friday, July 5

Broncos v Panthers Rd 18 top picks

Round 18 preview: Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers

The Penrith Panthers will travel to Brisbane this Friday night for a 2023 NRL Grand Final rematch against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round 18.

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh will play his first game for the club since round 12, and the last time these two sides clashed, he lasted just four minutes before a sickening hit from Taylan May ruled him out for the match. Brisbane will be desperate to win having lost their last four matches in a row, dropping outside of the top eight on the NRL ladder.

The three-time defending premiers have lost three of their last five matches but are still second on the ladder. Sitting two wins clear of the Cronulla Sharks, a win here for the Panthers could prove important to their chances of winning another minor premiership.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has made several changes with Fletcher Baker (knee), Jack Gosiewski (arm) and Kotoni Staggs (personal) all sidelined. Jesse Arthars returns from injury on the wing, pushing Deine Mariner to centre, while Kobe Hetherington replaces Gosiewski in the second row.

New South Wales front-rower Payne Haas is back, pushing Xavier Willison to the interchange, while Patrick Carrigan returns at lock. With Walsh reclaiming the fullback role, Tristan Sailor drops to the reserves.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary welcomes back Blues quartet Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin to the starting side. As a result, Daine Laurie and Liam Henry move to the bench, while Casey McLean and Brad Schneider drop to the reserves.

Broncos v Panthers R18 team lists

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh
2. Corey Oates
3. Deine Mariner
4. Selwyn Cobbo
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Ezra Mam
7. Jock Madden
8. Corey Jensen
9. Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Kobe Hetherington
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Xavier Willison
16. Josiah Karapani
17. Martin Taupau

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To’o
6. Jack Cole
7. Jarome Luai
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Daine Laurie
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
17. Matthew Eisenhuth

Broncos v Panthers Rd 18 betting predictions

The Panthers have won seven of their last eight matches against the Broncos, while they’ve covered the line in each of their last six games following a loss. Brisbane have not defeated Penrith at Suncorp Stadium since 2019, and the Broncos have lost three of their last four matches at their home ground. Expect the Panthers to continue their winning streak and cover the 4.5-point line at -111.11 odds with top online bookmakers.

The Broncos have trailed at half-time in their last two matches before going on to lose. Further, they have been behind at the break before going on to lose five of their last six clashes with Penrith. Back the visitors to complete the half-time/full-time double at -109.89 with NRL betting sites.

If the points are to come from anywhere for the Broncos, it will likely be from their new centre, Mariner. He made the 2023 Queensland Cup team of the year in that position and has already scored a whopping 19 tries in as many matches for Brisbane. Being one spot closer to the action, +195 at PlayUp is great value for Mariner to score.

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