NRL: Panthers look to steady the ship

Penrith Panthers need to steady the ship with two points when they take on South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.

The Panthers have hit a rocky patch just ahead of finals, losing the last two games, and cannot afford any more slip ups if they are to make the top four.

They are priced at 1.071 to do it and earn the double-chance, but they can take nothing for granted against the wounded Bunnies.

Souths have had a season to forget and have lost six of their last seven games.

However they have their pride to play for and with Cody Walker returning from concussion, they will be keen to pull off an upset win.

Penrith are targeting a fourth straight premiership crown and are 3.75 to win the 2024 grand final.

. What: Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
. Where: Panthers Stadium, Penrith
. When: 20:00 (AEST), Friday 30th August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 7
. Odds: Penrith Panthers 1.13, South Sydney Rabbitohs 6.00

Panthers look to respond

You have to go back to the start of the 2023 NRL season to find a time when the Panthers last lost back-to-back games.

That was before they lost the last two against the Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders. Both were by narrow margins, with the Storm winning 24-22, the Raiders 22-18.

Ivan Cleary’s men now have a chance to bounce back and build some momentum with home games against the Rabbitohs and Titans to come.

Penrith have a habit of peaking at the right time, and in the last three seasons the cream has risen to the top.

The Panthers have won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the two sides, and with the Bunnies in poor form, they look good to make it 12 from 14.

They can be backed at 1.62 to put the last two losses behind them and beat the Bunnies by 13+ points.

There is also extra motivation if it was needed, as coach Cleary will take charge of his 250th game for the club.

Son Nathan is still missing, but the Panthers hope to have the star playmaker back for finals.

Bunnies playing for pride

South Sydney could not be blamed for wanting the 2024 season to end, but there is still pride to play for.

With coach Wayne Bennett returning next season there is hope for the future, and some players may be playing to be a part of it.

Even when going well, the Rabbitohs do not have a great record in Penrith, and have not won there since 2019.

It would be a big upset if they can break the drought on Friday night, and they are 13.00 to win by 1-5 points.

The return of Cody Walker will be a boost, but Cameron Murray is missing through suspension and will be a big loss.

Walker is two away from a century of NRL tries and is 4.50 to score at anytime.