Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL Thursday preview

Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs are set to open up Round 17 of the NRL with a blockbuster clash on Thursday night.

The Panthers are bang in form with three wins on the bounce and are starting to make a bold defence of their NRL premiership title.

Targeting five premierships on the spin, Penrith have bounced back from a poor start and now sit inside the top eight.

However, they will face a tough test against one of the sides attempting to knock them off their perch.

The Bulldogs currently sit top of the ladder and are one of the hot fancies to go on and win the 2025 NRL grand final.

Thursday night's clash could turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the grand final and an epic battle appears to be on the cards.

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs betting preview

Panthers eyeing four in a row

The Panthers are on the prowl once again and a fifth straight premiership cannot be ruled out just yet.

They have knocked over the Warriors, Tigers and Eels in their last three games, but will face their toughest test yet against the Bulldogs.

Penrith have won the last two meetings between these two sides, but in 2025 the Bulldogs are a different animal and are the hot fancies to win the game.

The game will be played at CommBank Stadium and the Panthers have won 15 of the 31 games they have played at that venue.

It is likely to be a tight battle and Penrith can be backed at 3.40 to edge it by 1-12 points.

Scoring points has not been an issue this season as they are averaging 22 a game, but they are also leaking 22 a game on average.

Penrith’s Origin stars will return after being rested for the trip to New Zealand to take on the Warriors.

Doubts do remain over the fitness of Nathan Cleary however, as he struggles with a groin injury that hampered him in Origin 2.

Bulldogs showing some bite

The Bulldogs will be out to show their premiership credentials once again, when they face the reigning premiers.

They have won four of the last five games and bounced back well from a drubbing against the Dolphins, to beat the Rabbitohs and Eels.

CommBank has not been a happy venue for them, they have won 10 out of 29 games played there, but should be confident going into Thursday night.

The win over the Rabbitohs in their last game before a bye was tight, by just six points, and they are 3.10 to win by 1-12 points against the Panthers.

Cameron Ciraldo's men should be well rested after the week off and if they run riot they can be backed at 3.35 to win by 13+.

Marcelo Montoya has seven tries in 13 games this season and is sure to be a big threat once again.

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Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs odds

Penrith Panthers - 2.25
Canterbury Bulldogs - 1.65

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.