Canberra Raiders host Brisbane Broncos in Round 25 of the 2026 NRL season at GIO Stadium on Friday, 21st August at 6:00 PM AEST. Read on for our full match preview, expert footy betting tips, and best odds on the NRL this week.
Other teams’ stumbles have maintained a mathematical Top 8 chance for the Raiders after an upset victory last week, but the spiralling Broncos’ only remaining motivation is avoiding the wooden spoon.
FORM: The Raiders showed an abundance of spirit to roll Cronulla 24-20 on the road last Saturday just six days after a seemingly season-ending home loss to Newcastle.
The Broncos crashed to their 12th loss in 13 games last weekend, a 40-6 defeat to the Warriors in which enthusiasm and defensive desire appeared sorely lacking – as well as costing them Reece Walsh for the rest of a sorry title defence.
INS AND OUTS: The Raiders get Simi Sasagi back from injury, Ata Mariota comes in at lock for Morgan Smithies (concussion) and Josh Papalii will start at prop in his last home game. Corey Horsburgh has received a bench recall.
Hayze Perham slots in as Brisbane’s fullback for Walsh, while Ben Hunt replaces Tom Duffy at halfback.
KEY MATCH-UP: Big ‘Papa’ will be fired up to turn back the clock in his home farewell – and he and Joe Tapine will engage in a crucial battle up front against Broncos bookends Xavier Willison and Payne Haas.
HISTORY: The Broncos have won three of their last four against the Raiders, most recently taking out a golden point epic at GIO Stadium 29-28 last September.
KEY STAT: Broncos wingers have scored 14 tries in the club’s last seven clashes with the Raiders. Both wingers scored in four of those matches.
VERDICT: A heavy loss to Penrith in Mudgee aside, the Raiders have been very competitive over the past seven weeks – winning five games – and will still be alive in the finals race when this game kicks off.
Papalii’s farewell should also inspire the Green Machine as they hunt a fourth win in five games at GIO Stadium.
The Broncos have been increasingly terrible in recent weeks, and Walsh’s season-ending injury only compounds the futility of his road trip.
Prediction: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (-10.5) @ $1.90
SGM: RAIDERS BY 13+ / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / JOSIAH KARAPANI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KAEO WEEKES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ZAC HOSKING ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.82
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change