NRL round 27: Bulldogs v Broncos betting tips
The Bulldogs and Broncos close out desperately disappointing NRL seasons when they meet in Sydney on Thursday night. It’s not the match of the round, but if you can find the team with the right motivation there is money to be made.
Neither team will take part in the NRL finals, which is especially galling for the Broncos, given they are the defending premiers; their season never really got going.
Of most interest in this clash is that it is a farewell game for the game’s best front-rower Payne Haas, who is joining South Sydney next season. The Broncos are also saying goodbye to premiership-winning squad members Adam Reynolds, Gehamat Shibasaki and Jesse Arthars, so you can expect an improved effort on what they have shown lately.
Haas is almost irreplaceable for the Broncos, but given how far off the pace they have been this season, a refresh of their squad is much needed.
The Bulldogs have also had a miserable year though they have at least fought it out to the last and will be only a win out of the eight.
Bulldogs v Broncos team news
Bulldogs: Coach Cameron Ciraldo has stuck with the same side that fought hard last weekend against Penrith, though Kurt Mann (groin) has been named in the reserves and could be a late addition.
Broncos: The Broncos lose Blake Mozer to concussion, with Ben Talty back in the mix. Forward Preston Riki (syndesmosis) is available again and could be a late in after missing five games.
Roosters slump in NRL title betting
And then there were eight! With the final round of the NRL’s regular season upon us, the finalists have been decided, as have the teams which will make up the top four and have a second chance once the finals start.
But the biggest single factor moving the title markets with the finals looming is the injury to the Roosters’ dynamic playmaker Sam Walker (ankle). He has had surgery and been ruled out and bookies immediately rolled the Roosters out from $4.50 to $9 to lift the trophy.
And with the tricolours largely ruled out, the other three main contenders all moved in sharply. The Panthers moved from $3.20 into $2.75, the Warriors from $4.50 into $3.20 and the Dolphins, who smashed the Roosters last weekend, advanced from $9 into $5.50.
The bookies rates the Sharks ($17), who have lost three of their past four matches to teams out of the finals running, and Rabbitohs ($21) as rough chances to cause some damage in September but give the Cowboys and Knights little hope. That pair are both at $67.
Read on for our Bulldogs v Broncos tips and winner prediction for their round-27 NRL clash.
Bulldogs v Broncos match information
- Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT, Thursday, September 3
- Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Head to head odds: Bulldogs $1.33, Broncos $3.35
- Line betting: Bulldogs (-10.5 points) $1.90, Broncos (+10.5 points) $1.90
- Match total: 52.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
2026 NRL premiership betting
$2.75 Penrith Panthers
$3.20 New Zealand Warriors
$5.50 Redcliffe Dolphins
$9 Sydney Roosters
$17 Cronulla Sharks
$21 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$67 Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys
Bulldogs v Broncos betting tips
Bookies have made the Bulldogs extremely short in betting for this clash and it’s fair to say the Dogs have been a lot more competitive in the past month than the Broncos. But we expect the Broncos to pull out a big effort for their final match of the season as they aim to send some favourite sons off as winners. There is also their recent dominance of the Dogs. The Broncos have won eight of the past nine matches between the teams.
Defence may not be at a premium, and you can expect both teams to play an expansive brand of rugby league. At the generous odds, we’re betting the Broncos cause a surprise here.
Broncos by 6 points.
- Broncos to win/match total over 52.5 points at $7.75 with Australian sportsbook.
- Ezra Mam (Broncos) to score 2 or more tries at $8.50. The man has been a scoring tear and no reason it won’t continue.
NRL round 27, 2026
- Thursday, September 3: Bulldogs v Broncos, Accor Stadium, Sydney | 7.50pm
- Friday, September 4: Titans v Dolphins, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 6pm
Rabbitohs v Roosters, Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 8pm - Saturday, September 5: Warriors v Sea Eagles, Go Media Stadium, Auckland | 3pm
Cowboys v Raiders, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 5.30pm
Sharks v Storm, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney | 7.35pm - Sunday, September 6: Dragons v Eels, WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 2pm
Panthers v Wests Tigers, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 4.05pm
* Knights have the bye
