Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction: Cowboys to return to hold top spot

In the fourth round of the National Rugby League season, the Brisbane Broncos will host the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in Milton. The hosts suffered a defeat last weekend, whereas the visiting side maintained their perfect season record.

The Brisbane Broncos return home after a devastating defeat in their grand final rematch against the Penrith Panthers, a loss that was doubly painful. Star fullback Reece Walsh will be sidelined for an extended period after fracturing his face during Brisbane's 34-12 loss to the Panthers. With playmaker Adam Reynolds likely to miss another match or two, and both Walsh and forward Payne Haas facing over a month out, the Broncos are bracing for a challenging period. Tristian Sailor is set to step in for Reece Walsh, who will be sidelined with a facial fracture, while Jaiyden Hunt will replace the injured Brendan Piakura, who sustained an ankle injury. On a positive note, Adam Reynolds has recovered from injury and has been included in the lineup, although Jack Madden has been named among the reserves.

The North Queensland Cowboys have emerged as the sole undefeated team in the competition, boasting a 3-0 start to the season for the first time since 2007. While some are drawing comparisons to the team that made a memorable run to the preliminary final, doubts linger, particularly regarding their defense which remains a question mark and requires improvement before making bold assertions. Nevertheless, their attacking prowess is undeniable. The North Queensland Cowboys have been electrifying in attack, amassing 110 points in their first three games, averaging an impressive 36.66 points per game. Their offensive potency is further underscored by their substantial run meters, with only the Penrith Panthers surpassing them in this regard. So far this season, the Cowboys have accumulated 4,628 run meters and have registered 18 linebreaks, second only to the Panthers. In anticipation of the upcoming game, Tom Chester has been replaced by Zac Laybutt in the centers, while Reuben Cotter and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, despite carrying injuries, have been named in the squad.

The North Queensland Cowboys have outscored every other team in the competition by 28 points after three rounds of footy, showcasing their formidable attacking prowess. Conversely, the Brisbane Broncos are enduring a challenging start to the year, grappling with injuries and struggling to find their footing. With the North Queensland Cowboys being 1.5-point favorites, they have the capability to cover that line with a victory, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the table.