The NRL is in full swing as we enter Round 3 of the 2024 season.
On Thursday night, the Panthers and Broncos will kick off proceedings with a blockbuster in Penrith.
The Roosters and Rabbitohs will renew their rivalry on Friday evening before the Storm travel to Newcastle to face a winless Knights team.
MORE: 2024 NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club
Below are The Sporting News’ betting predictions and best bets for Round 3. All odds via TAB.
Penrith Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos prediction, tip, best bet
After going scoreless in their opening game, the Panthers significantly improved last round.
However, there is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly with their execution and errors.
Similarly, the Broncos picked up their first win of the season last win, but it wasn't without some flaws.
They too made life hard for themselves with sloppy ball-handling, but arguably the hardest challenge for them in Round 3 will be adjusting without Adam Reynolds.
Their star halfback – replaced by Jock Madden – is instrumental to Brisbane's organisation and will be absent this week through injury.
The Broncos still have points in them, but the Panthers' home crowd advantage and relatively healthy team will be too much to handle.
Prediction: Panthers by 12
Best bet: Panthers -8.5 ($1.95)
Sydney Roosters vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction, tip, best bet
This fixture – between two of the league's historic rivals – is always hard to predict.
In their past 10 encounters, both sides have won on five occasions.
To make things even more unpredictable, there have been significant changes in the halves. Luke Keary is out at five-eighth for the Roosters due to concussion protocols, while Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias has been dropped.
They have been replaced by Sandon Smith and Dean Hawkins, respectively.
This could see the match won by the forwards, and in that department, the Roosters likely have the edge, led by enforcers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley.
Prediction: Roosters by 4
Best bet: Roosters H2H ($1.67)
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. North Queensland Cowboys prediction, tip, best bet
After picking up an impressive win in Round 1, the Dragons fell off a cliff last week, losing 38-0 to the Dolphins.
Mentally, this is going to be tough to recover from.
To make things more difficult, they are coming up against a Cowboys team yet to lose a match this year.
Recent history is also not on the Red V's side, failing to beat North Queensland in their past four encounters.
A suspension for Francis Molo will hurt their forward pack, too.
You would imagine the Dragons can lift in front of their home fans somewhat, but it's hard to find a case for them against confident opposition.
Prediction: Cowboys by 8
Best bet: Kyle Feldt 1+ Try / Cowboys win ($2.10)
Newcastle Knights vs. Melbourne Storm prediction, tip, best bet
This is an interesting one.
The Knights are winless this season, while the Storm have a 100 per cent record. However, the Knights are favoured by the bookies to take this one out.
The largest factor in Newcastle's favouritism is Melbourne's halves – Cameron Munster is still out through injury, and Jahrome Hughes will be serving a one-game suspension.
Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart are capable replacements, but a significant step down for the club's first-choice pairing.
Home crowd advantage will also play a role, with the Knights possessing a strong record at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Enari Tuala and Jayden Brailey are also back in a nice boost for the home side.
If new signing Jack Cogger – who is replacing Jackson Hastings in the No. 7 jersey – performs to the level expected, the Knights can squeeze out a much-needed win.
Prediction: Knights by 2
Best bet: Either team by 6 or less ($2.60)
