Broncos v Storm NRL R27 betting tips – Thursday, August 31

Broncos v Storm NRL R27 best bets

Broncos v Storm NRL R27 match preview

Kicking off the final round of the NRL Premiership season, the Brisbane Broncos are looking to secure the minor premiership as they host the Melbourne Storm in a top-four battle at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

The Broncos travelled to Canberra last weekend, winning by 11 points thanks to an excellent second-half performance. The score was tied at 16-16 at half-time, but the Broncos stood up after the break and kept the Raiders to just a penalty goal while scoring three tries themselves. Winger Selwyn Cobbo led the way with a hat-trick, while fullback Reece Walsh had a try and two assists.

The win locked up a top-two finals spot for the Brisbane Broncos while leaving them a match clear at the top of the NRL ladder. Victory this weekend will secure them the minor premiership, with a loss giving the Penrith Panthers a chance to steal it if they win their match against the Cowboys.

The Melbourne Storm hosted the Gold Coast Titans last weekend at AAMI Park, winning comfortably by 21 points. After going back and forth with the Titans to start the match, the Storm pulled away late by scoring the last three tries. Winger Xavier Coates scored a hat-trick, while Harry Grant and Cameron Munster had two try assists each.

The Storm have now locked in a top-four spot but are unable to secure a home final in the first week. With the Broncos and Storm sitting first and fourth, respectively, it is likely that we get a repeat matchup in the first week of finals.

With both sides locked into their top-four positions, there have been mass changes to both sides. The Broncos have decided to make at least six changes this week, including Walsh and Payne Haas, who had been carrying minor injury concerns.

The Storm have decided to go even further, making some 11 changes from last week’s game as they look to rest up for week one of the finals.

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Broncos v Storm NRL R27 betting predictions

With such drastic changes to both sides, it is difficult to predict how they will perform in this week’s matchup. The match being held in Brisbane gives the Broncos a slight advantage, but the Storm have won their last 13 matchups between the two sides, dating back to 2017.

With more stability in their side, it is hard to bet against the Broncos as they look to claim their first minor premiership since 2000. Expecting a close match, we like Brisbane to win by 1-12 points at $3.10 with Playup.

With 16 tries in 23 matches in his rookie NRL season so far, Will Warbrick has been an excellent find for the Storm. Scoring four tries in his last two weeks, Warbrick is a constant threat to get over the line. At $2.08 with Palmerbet, the 193cm winger shows great value as an anytime tryscorer.

With so much change in selection, expect both sides to look disjointed in attack and struggle to complete their sets. We are predicting a low-scoring contest that goes below the total points line of 42.5 at $1.90 with top online NRL bookmakers.

Key matchup: Thomas Flegler v Tariq Sims

Thomas Flegler vs Tariq Sims

Captaining this weekend, young prop Thomas Flegler will be leading from the front for the Broncos. Coming off 170 run metres last week against the Raiders, the Queensland representative will be looking for another top effort against the Storm.

A regular off the bench for Melbourne this season, veteran forward Tariq Sims has the opportunity this weekend to press for a spot back in the team for the upcoming finals series. The 33-year-old will need to show his experience and take some hard carries early if the Storm are a chance for an upset in this one.

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