The 2025 season for the Penrith Panthers has continued to go from bad to worse, and it doesn’t get any easier in Magic Round, as they take on the Broncos at Suncorp. After another heavy loss last week at the hands of the Sea Eagles, the Panthers occupy the bottom spot on the ladder. The Broncos hammered the previously undefeated Bulldogs last week and should come into this matchup as the heavy favourites.
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Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
Location: Suncorp Stadium - Brisbane
Date: Sunday, 4th May
Time: 4:05pm AEST
Odds: Panthers ($2.45) vs Broncos ($1.55)
Line: Broncos -4.5
Points: 47.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Ladbrokes. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
The Panthers decided to take a home game to Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round, where they get to take on the usual home team at the venue, the Brisbane Broncos. Whilst I would usually say that’s a horrible decision, the Panthers have looked horrific at CommBank Stadium this season, their new home ground, so they can’t be any worse here. Last week, they were dominated by the Sea Eagles at “home”, going down 26-10. It was a terrible game to watch, with the referee and bunker making some absolutely horrific decisions. Nevertheless, the Panthers deserved the loss, and they deserve their bottom spot on the ladder.
The Broncos were in a spot of bother coming into last week, off the back of a poor round 7 loss to the Warriors, and the fact they were set to be without superstar fullback Reece Walsh for a few weeks. It didn’t matter, as the Broncos flew out of the gates at home against the previously undefeated Bulldogs, leading 34-0 after just 32 minutes. It was what we expected all season from the Broncos, and they were helped by the ill-discipline of the Bulldogs, who had three players sin-binned during the game. Payne Haas was indominable, running for 261 metres, making 32 tackles, busting 6 tackles, popping 5 offloads, and creating a line-break / try assist play. When he plays like that, no one can match him.
The Panthers have dominated this matchup since 2020, however that’s nothing new, as they have dominated every matchup since then. Last season, the teams met twice, with the Panthers winning both games. In round 3, the Panthers hosted the Broncos at Bluebet Stadium, going off as 10.5-point home favourites, with a total of 39.5. After an early Broncos’ penalty goal, the Panthers were dominant, scoring six unanswered tries, before a couple of Broncos tries closed the gap slightly, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers easily won 34-12. They next met in round 18 at Suncorp Stadium, where this time the Panthers closed 4.5-point favourites, with a total of 45.5. In a much tighter game, the Panthers came out on top, 14-6, where both teams were without their halfbacks. Despite the closer scoreline, the Panthers were dominant across all statistics and deserved the victory.
Looking forward to this matchup, and the Broncos were 1.5-point favourites on the look ahead, before re-opening at 2.5. It has been all Broncos’ support in the market, as they now sit as 4.5-point favourites. I make them more than this, and still don’t believe the market has got anywhere near catching up to how poor the Panthers are this season. The Broncos should win this and win it convincingly in my opinion, and they will want to go on with the job given the amount of pain the Panthers have inflicted on them lately. Broncos 13+ for mine.
Looking at the total, it opened 46.5 and it hasn’t moved from that mark all week. I make the total higher, at 50.5, so do believe there is some value in the over here and will bet it. However, the Broncos winning by margin is my best bet here.
Broncos (13+)
$2.85 (2.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 NRL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Leg 1: Broncos ML – Self-explanatory, the Broncos should win this comfortably.
Leg 2: D Mariner (1+ try) – Has had a stop start season, but on the right wing against this woeful Panthers left-edge defence, pencil the flyer in for one this week.
Leg 3: L Garner (1+ try) – Underrated ball runner on the left edge, and whilst the Panthers don’t get left as much as right, if anyone is going to hit the edge hard and score, it’s Garner.
SGM Odds: $9.00 at BoomBet
