NRL Betting: Back Brisbane Broncos to cover the Handicap in beating Sydney Roosters

Recommended Bet:
Brisbane Broncos to win -2.5 points Handicap: 1.95 with bet365

Sydney Roosters play host to Brisbane Broncos at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday to kick-off Round 21 in the NRL Premiership in what is a clash between two badly out of form teams, both in need of a victory.

The Roosters lie 15th of 16 in the table and are playing for little more pride at this stage, but the Broncos desperately need points to retain their place in the Top Eight after a run of six defeats in their last eight matches has seen them slip to sixth in the Premiership and allowed the chasing pack to gain ground on them, whilst they themselves are in danger of losing touch with the Top Four.  The surprise 31-12 loss at home to Penrith Panthers at the Suncorp Stadium last time out was a particular blow.

The Broncos will be missing forwards Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire through suspension, leaving them with a depleted pack.  Matt Gillett returns from injury to replace Thaiday, Tom Opacic starts in the centres, Alex Glenn in the back row and Adam Blair comes in at prop for McGuire.

For their part, the Roosters come into this game on the back of six straight defeats and have only registered a meagre three wins from their 18 Premiership matches all season.  With Jared Waerea-Hargreaves out for the Roosters, Dale Copley return in the centres, Mitch Aubusson moves to the forwards and Isaac Liu is selected in the front row.

The head-to-head record favours the Broncos, with them having won 25 of the 41 previous encounters with the Roosters.  The last meeting was in September 2015, when the Broncos won 31-12 at the Suncorp Stadium to win a place in the NRL Grand Final.

The Broncos really need the victory here to get their campaign back on track and the Roosters could be just the opposition that enables them to do just that.  Rather than just opting to back the Broncos victory, taking them to return to winning ways whilst covering a small Handicap of 2.5 points looks like it could add just a little extra value in this one.