NRL: Panthers look to put out Dragons fire

Penrith Panthers will look to keep the pressure on Melbourne Storm when they take on the finals-chasing Dragons on Sunday.

The Panthers sit in second spot on the ladder, four points behind the Storm, and can be backed at 2.75 to win the minor premiership.

It is all about peaking at just the right time for the Panthers however, and a fourth straight grand final success is still the big goal.

They can be backed at 3.00 to go on and win the 2024 premiership.

The Dragons are a team on the up and have made great strides this season under the leadership of new coach Shane Flanagan.

They sit outside of the eight on points difference and are one of four teams sat on 24 points.

A clash against the Panthers is a huge test of their finals credentials and they can be backed at 3.00 to make the top eight.

. What: St George/Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers
. Where: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
. When: 14:00 (AEST), Sunday 28th July
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: St George/Illawarra Dragons 4.00, Penrith Panthers 1.25

Dragons out to upset Panthers

The Dragons have taken some big strides this season and will be out to cause an upset when they entertain the Panthers.

After the clash with Penrith, they must take on Melbourne Storm, so it is a big couple of weeks for the Red V.

However they should be well rested after the bye, and can take heart from a gutsy four-point win over the Broncos in Brisbane, before the break.

They also beat the Panthers on their own patch back in Round 13. Penrith may have been missing their Origin stars, but the 12-point win was massive nonetheless.

The Dragons also have a great record at WIN Stadium this season, winning three from three, but the scalp of Penrith will be their biggest yet at the venue.

Flanagan’s men can be backed at 9.00 to beat the Panthers by 1-5 points.

Zac Lomax has taken his game to another level this season, starring for both the Dragons and New South Wales.

Lomax is 9.00 to score the first try of the game, or 2.05 to score at anytime.

Panthers out to end Wollongong hoodoo

Penrith have a great record against the Dragons when winning six of the last seven meetings.

However Wollongong has not been a happy hunting ground for them. Indeed they have not won there since 2014 and will be keen to snap the drought.

The Panthers rested a host of Origin stars but still managed to edge out the Dolphins by two points last weekend.

Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o will all return, so apart from the missing the injured Dylan Edwards, Penrith will be at full strength.

To’o is 7.00 to mark his return by scoring the first try of the game.

Penrith also have Nathan Cleary back after he returned against the Dolphins, so will fancy their chances of getting the job done.

The Panthers can be backed at 2.10 to win by 13+ points.