This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Thursday 28
Friday 29
Saturday 30
Sunday 31
Monday 1
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
Friday 5
Saturday 6
Sunday 7

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL Round 26 Tips - Baby Panthers Tipped to Cover

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: Tue 26 Aug 2025 09:37

Ryan Tucker 26 Aug 2025

Share this article

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 26 NRL game
Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at Accor Stadium
Panthers resting 16 key players for finals preparation.
Canterbury's recent struggles: avg 18.8 pts scored, allowing 23.5 pts in last 4 games.
Key player: Paul Alamoti, potential tryscorer for Panthers.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL Round 26 Tips

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Round 26 2025 - Expert Prediction

Penrith have decided to rest 16 of their players from last weekend’s game in a drastic move ahead of their finals campaign. The Canterbury Bulldogs will almost be gifted the win but the top tip is the Panthers to cover the large line.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Round 26 2025 - Expert Prediction
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Round 26 Cheat Sheet
Head to Head
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
Penrith Panthers Form Analysis
Penrith Panthers Team News
Penrith Panthers Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26 FAQ’s

Canterbury have not only struggled to score against the Panthers in their recent head to head matchups, they have struggled to score against any opponent over the past few weeks putting an average of just 18.8 pts on the board in their last 9 games. Over their last 4 they have managed to exceed 14 points only once and now will come up against a team they know nothing about and cannot plan to exploit.

The element of surprise is what will keep Penrith close in this one. They will be able to play the Panthers brand of football without their opponent really knowing what to expect next. There are still some top level players in this side and you can guarantee there will be a bunch of guys looking to prove their worth on the big stage.

Canterbury should win, they are the better team. But with little to no opportunity to figure out the Panthers game plan there is every chance they continue to allow points as they have done over the last month.

Take the Panthers to cover the line with their Team Total going Over. Paul Alamoti will need to stand up and lead the team, take him as a tryscorer option.

Canterbury have scored an average of just 18.8 pts over their last 9 games.
The Bulldogs have allowed an average of 23.5 pts to opponents over their last 4 games.
Penrith have won 8 straight against the Bulldogs with an average win margin of 20 pts.
Paul Alamoti has scored 9 tries in 14 games this season as well as 41 Tackle Breaks and 11 Linebreaks.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Round 26 Cheat Sheet

Bulldogs vs Panthers Rd 26 Cheat Sheet

Head to Head

Penrith have won 8 straight against the Bulldogs with the most recent game finishing 8-6 to the Panthers back in June. Canterbury’s last win in this head to head was the lone 2019 matchup. In the 9 games played during that span the Dogs have failed to score more than 18 points and have been held to nil twice.

The Under has hit in 6 of the last 9 including the last 2. The winning margin has been between 1-12 in the last 2 games but was 13+ in 6 straight prior to that.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Dogs have lost 2 in a row and 3 of their last 4 heading into this weekend. A 20-14 loss to the Storm last weekend followed a 32-12 beating at the hands of the Roosters the week before.

Once again it was the Canterbury attack which faltered, they had 55% of Possession and 66% of Territory in the game while also winning the Linebreak battle 8-4. They had 46 tackles in the Storm 20m zone but managed just 14 points.

The team ranks 9th in scoring over the past 5 games, averaging just 22.8 pts per game and while they still rank 1st overall defensively, they are down to 7th in ranking over the same 5 game period.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Viliame Kikau is out with an infection, replaced in the starting side by Josh Curran. Harry Hayes will have a long stint on the sidelines with a severe hamstring injury. Daniel Suluka-Fifita comes onto the bench.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Connor Tracey

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Matt Burton

7. Lachlan Galvin

8. Max King

9. Bailey Hayward

10. Sam Hughes

11. Josh Curran

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Sitili Tupouniua

16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

17. Reed Mahoney

Reserves

19. Enari Tuala

20. Kurtis Morrin

21. Lipoi Hopoi

22. Jake Turpin

23. Toby Sexton

Penrith Panthers Form Analysis

3 of the last 4 Panthers games have gone to Golden Point, unfortunately they were only able to win one of those games and have now dropped 2 in a row heading into the penultimate round.

The Storm loss 2 weeks ago was shrouded in controversy while the try against the run of play last weekend which sealed the deal for Canberra was one of the wildest tries we have seen this season. Penrith are right up there competing with the top teams this year.

With wholesale changes to the team due to Coach Cleary resting 16 players it is difficult to attribute recent form to the team that will run out on Thursday night.

Penrith Panthers Team News

Massive team news for the Panthers with 16 topline players being rested for this match against the Bulldogs. Matt Eisenhuth will captain the team which includes 4 debutants, Zac Lipowicz, John Fonua, David Fale and Billy Phillips.

Penrith Panthers Team List

1. Daine Laurie

2. Jesse McLean

3. Sione Fonua

4. David Fale

5. Paul Alamoti

6. Jack Cole

7. Brad Schneider

8. Luron Patea

9. Luke Sommerton

10. Austin Dias

11. Zac Lipowicz

12. Mavrik Geyer

13. Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

14. Soni Luke

15. Preston Riki

16. Riley Price

17. Billy Phillips

Reserves

18. Billy Scott

19. Niko Apelu

20. Asu Kepaoa

21. Riley Wake

22. Jaxen Edgar

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26 FAQ’s

How to watch Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26?

You can watch the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26?

To buy tickets to the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 26 game check the NRL website or the official Canterbury Bulldogs site.

Verdict

Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers

Take the Panthers to cover the line with their Team Total going Over. Paul Alamoti will need to stand up and lead the team, take him as a tryscorer option.