Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Predictions: Panthers to edge Grand Final rematch

Suncorp Stadium is the venue for this rematch of last season's NRL Grand Final and a familiar tale could unfold when Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers lock horns once more on the Gold Coast this Friday (11:00, Sky Sports Arena).

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Odds

Brisbane are 6/4 to exact some revenge for last season's Grand Final defeat to the Panthers, who are 4/7 to rein in the Broncos once more. The points line has been set at 45.5 and is 5/6 to go over and 10/11 to fall short. 

Team News

Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas all return for the Broncos after being rested following Origin Two. Corey Oates returns from a knee injury on the wing, while Kotoni Staggs is unavailable due to personal reasons. Jack Gosiewski (arm) and Fletcher Baker (knee) both suffered injuries against the Warriors. 

Champions Penrith welcome back Origin stars Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin, while Isaah Yeo returns to the starting side after coming off the bench post-Origin Two. Daine Laurie, Liam Henry and Matt Eisenhuth revert to the bench. 

Rugby League Odds

Penrith Panthers -4 @ 10/11  

Penrith are looking ominous in defence of their NRL title and they can maintain their pursuit of leaders Melbourne Storm with another victory over the Broncos. 

This match is a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final in which the Panthers edged to a 26-24 victory in a thrilling encounter.  

Things were much more one-sided when Penrith piled on the pain with a 34-12 triumph on home soil earlier on in this campaign and they are warm favourites to do the double at a venue where they have thrived. 

Not many sides leave Suncorp with much to show for their efforts, but the premiers have come out on top in their last four trips to the Gold Coast and they will fancy their chances once again this week. 

The Broncos have lost seven of their last nine meetings with Penrith and things haven't been going well for the 2023 runners-up in this campaign, as they are struggling to make an impact on the chase for a play-off spot. 

Brisbane start this round down in 10th spot and, although only two points adrift of the top six, they are in danger of losing further ground amid a losing streak that has reached four matches. 

It is hard to see them stopping the slide this week, but an emphatic away win looks unlikely too with Penrith showing signs of inconsistency in recent weeks. 

The reigning champs have won only three of their last six and were edged out by the Cowboys in their most recent outing. They will be looking to get back on track as soon as possible, but a modest margin of victory looks more likely this week. 

The handicap is set at four and that looks well within reach, but the Panthers are unlikely to cut loose in a cagey clash. 

Under 45.5 total match points @ 10/11  

Last season's Grand Final dust-up between these two was settled by just a two-point score and that was typical of recent scorelines in this fixture. 

Penrith ran out comfortable winners by a 22-point margin in round three of this campaign, but prior to that the previous seven winning margins were just 2, 9, 1, 28, 6, 8, 13 and 12 and the expectation is for another close finish once more. 

Points totals have often been on the low side too, so backing this match to feature no more than 45 points looks the way to go. 

Only three of the last nine meetings between these two have cleared that mark. 

Find more Rugby League Tips here at Betfred Insights