Panthers v Broncos NRL Rd 1 best bets & top odds – 3/3/2023

Friday night football continues with the Penrith Panthers hosting the Brisbane Broncos at BlueBet Stadium. The defending premiers will be looking to make amends for their upset loss to St Helens in the World Club Challenge and show the NRL they are still a force to be reckoned with, capable of winning three premierships in a row.

While their last clash ended in a comfortable win for the Panthers, the Broncos went toe-to-toe with the home side, scoring the first try of the match in an impressive opening 20 minutes. On Friday, the Panthers will be continuing to adjust to life without Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau while also missing winger Taylan May. The Broncos also make multiple changes by adding Ezra Mam, Herbie Farnworth, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Thomas Flegler and Martin Taupau to their starting line-up.

The Panthers may be two-time premiership winners returning home following a disappointing loss to St Helens, but the Broncos team they will take on this Friday is vastly different to the one they have seen previously. Spurred on by a horrific end to the 2022 season, the Broncos will be out to make an enormous statement to start the season ($4.50).

Without Koroisau, Kikau and May, the Panthers may not be the attacking juggernaut that the NRL has come to know. For the Broncos, they are missing superstar fullback Reece Walsh, who provides incredible spark and attacking ability at the back. Defence, as it always is in the early rounds of a season, will be the main focus of these two clubs, keeping the match below 40.5 total points ($1.90).

While Selwyn Cobbo is moving to the fullback role, making his attacking potential even more likely than usual, he may not be the main target of this Broncos attack. Corey Oates has established himself as one of the best try-scorers in the NRL, and in Broncos history. Whether the Broncos strip the opposition defence a player short, creating space for Oates, or use him in a set-piece from a scrum that has him running a huge outside-in line to score close to the line, he can always find a way to score a meat pie at any time during the match ($2.60).

Key matchup: Adam Reynolds v Nathan Cleary

This battle between Adam Reynolds and Nathan Cleary is vastly different to that of last year’s. While still being the chief playmakers and game managers, Friday will present new opportunities and challenges. With a bigger, better forward pack, Reynolds is likely to have more time and space to play attacking football and bring his outside backs into the game more often. On the other hand, Cleary will be implementing new plans of attack, the success of which will be a true test of the superstar halfback.

Panthers v Broncos Rd 1 betting prediction

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Gordian Niamongo

1 year ago

Is it possible to do online betting from Papua New Guinea?

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