NRL Odds:Brisbane Broncos $1.28 (-10.5) / St George Illawarra Dragons $3.75 (+10.5)
The Broncos are on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Roosters, Souths, then Manly last week.
This spell of good form has demonstrated that they have what it takes to match it with the best teams in the competition.
Halves Anthony Milford and Kody Nikorima have answered their critics in recent weeks, but they'll have to rise to a new level if the Broncos are to be a force in the premiership race.
Winning form is good form, however Brisbane have shown a tendency to take their eye of the ball when facing lower ranked teams this season.
Their last three losses came against the Cowboys, Bulldogs and Warriors - all unfancied outsiders.
Meanwhile, the Dragons' form has been nothing short of ordinary coming off a gruelling State of Origin series where many of their key forwards were involved.
In a boost for the Red-V, captain Gareth Widdop returned from an elbow injury last week, just in time to secure the Dragons’ second win in six games.
With a star-studded line-up, it’s difficult to imagine St George won’t be up for a big one against the Broncos this week.
Although the vocal Brisbane crowd will be against them, the atmosphere of Suncorp on a Sunday afternoon in September will be electric.
The Dragons will take confidence from their most recent clash with Brisbane, where they were victorious 34-12 at Jubilee Oval.
Even though that was way back in round one, it was a dominant win and the Dragons will need to ride on any confidence boost they can get.
A McCullough (Broncos), A Glenn (Broncos), G Widdop (Dragons)
J Turpin (Broncos), K Staggs (Broncos), J Field (Dragons)
Mostly Cloudy and 14 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Broncos 23.2 / Dragons 21.6
Average points conceded: Broncos 20.8 / Dragons 19.7
Brisbane have won 4 of their last 5 games against Dragons
The Broncos have won 7 of their last 10 games, with 4 of those 7 wins came against top-eight sides
The Dragons have won 4 of their last 10 games, with no wins against a top-eight team
Key NRL Betting Stats
Corey Oates (5) leads both teams in first try scorers this season: Corey Oates first try @ $7
10 of the Broncos 15 wins have been by a margin of 1-12: Brisbane 1-12 @ $3.10
The Broncos have won 10 consecutive home games against the Dragons: Brisbane win @ $1.71
4 of Brisbane's last 5-games have resulted in 'Over' total match points: Over total match points of 42.5@ $1.90
The Dragons have covered the line as underdogs in 10 of their last 15 games: Dragons +10.5 @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Dragons with the start of +10.5 @ $1.90
Reasoning: The Dragons have been under huge scrutiny from fans and the media in recent weeks, and rightfully so. They possess a quality forward pack who haven't performed well but do have the ability to dominate the younger less experienced Broncos forwards.
Look for their forwards, led by James Graham, to fire up and set a solid platform for Widdop and Hunt to work their magic. This game will closer than most expect and could produce the upset of the round.
Sep 07, 2018 07:01 PM
AAP
A McCullough (Broncos), A Glenn (Broncos), G Widdop (Dragons)
J Turpin (Broncos), K Staggs (Broncos), J Field (Dragons)
Mostly Cloudy and 14 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Key NRL Betting Stats
NRL Betting Tip: Dragons with the start of +10.5 @ $1.90
