Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 24 match is between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:35 local time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. The home team Sydney Roosters are the favourites for the match.

View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.

When: 19:35 | Saturday 25/08/2018

Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Preview:

This for me is the game of the round!

Two powerhouse clubs locking horns once again.

The Broncos are coming off a great victory and will be looking to secure a home semi-final while the under-par Roosters will be desperate to claim top spot.

Some great battles right across the field.

Already there has been some shots fired by Matt Lodge to Dylan Napa and that should be feisty one.

The difference, however, will be in the outside backs.

KEY BATTLE: Corey Oates v Blake Ferguson

Corey Oates last week was outstanding and has been Brisbane’s best all year in the backline.

He’s up against another excellent player and powerful runner in Blake Ferguson.

This will be worth the admission alone.

The Verdict

Semi-finals have come early and this will be played at a style and pace to suit.

If the Broncos can climb this, they’ll put the whole competition on notice.

The Broncos have a 4-1 (80.0 percent) line record in night matches at Allianz Stadium since 2014.

Expect some individual brilliance to decide this.

Unibet Odds:

Sydney Roosters $1.50

Brisbane $2.63

Odds:

Tip: Sydney Roosters at $1.48

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Latrell Mitchell at $10.00

More Info:

Teams:

Sydney Roosters:

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Dylan Napa 9. Jake Friend 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Isaac Liu 13. Victor Radley 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Mitchell Aubusson 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Paul Momirovski 21. Lindsay Collins.

Brisbane Broncos:

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jordan Kahu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh McGuire 14. Kotoni Staggs 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Korbin Sims 17. David Fifita 18. Patrick Mago 19. Troy Dargan 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 21. Sam Tagataese.

NRL News:

Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend insists his team have no concerns over any plans Brisbane have to exact payback on Dylan Napa on Saturday night.

Napa has been singled out by the Broncos this week after the Roosters prop escaped any sanction over an accidental head clash that left Korbin Sims with a broken jaw back in May.

Broncos front-rower Matthew Lodge said he anticipated plenty of fireworks earlier this week, however Friend believes Napa, who was sin-binned after the collision, is big enough to handle any extra attention coming his way.

“I haven’t seen (the comments), but I’m sure Dylan will hold his own. It’s nothing for us to worry about,” Friend said.

“They can come with their plans and we’ll sort out our game plan out and go after that.”

Teammate Mitchell Aubusson also expected more fire and brimstone at Allianz Stadium.

“I’m not really sure what’s been said but it was a really physical and tough encounter last time. Two really big forward packs going after it,” he said.

“I’m expecting nothing different this weekend. It’ll be a sight to see I think.”

The contest back in round 11 – which the Broncos won in a six-point thriller – has proven to be one of the major turning points’ in the Roosters transformation into a title favourite.

Prior to visiting Suncorp Stadium, the Roosters had won just six of their opening 11 matches and had many wondering how long it would take for the side to click.

Since then, Trent Robinson’s men have claimed nine wins from 11 games to sit alongside current ladder leaders Melbourne and third-placed South Sydney on 32 points.

They remain in the hunt for a fourth minor premiership in six years.

Friend said little could be taken from a match played three months ago, but admitted getting one back over the Broncos would act as their own sweet revenge.

With the final just two weeks away, he is adamant the priority is bouncing back from their shock loss to Canberra last week.

“Every loss hurts obviously so for us it’s about improving on last week. We were disappointed with some stuff,” Friend said.

“(Finishing top two is) a big thing. To play in front of your home, it’s pretty big.”