Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers: Predictions, Tips & Head to Head

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Predictions – NRL Round 26, 2025

Canterbury Bulldogs have been handed a gift by Ivan Cleary in their suddenly shaky top-four quest, with Penrith Panthers set to run out a NSW Cup-strength line-up on Thursday night.

The Panthers – themselves on a two-match losing streak after back-to-back golden point losses to Melbourne and Canberra – have rested 16 top-liners for this match, seemingly content to finish in seventh.

There’s still a reasonable amount of talent in the Penrith side, headlined by Daine Laurie at fullback, Paul Alamoti on a wing, and Jack Cole and Brad Schneider in the halves. A very inexperienced pack is led by stand-in captain Matt Eisenhuth.

The third-placed Bulldogs have lost three of their last four, following up a 32-12 loss to the Roosters with a more encouraging 20-14 defeat to the Storm. They’ve lost Viliame Kikau and Harry Hayes this week. Josh Curran will start and Daniel Suluka-Fifita joins the bench.

The teams played out a finals-quality thriller in Round 17, with Penrith prevailing 8-6 at CommBank Stadium – the four-time champs’ eighth straight win over Canterbury.

But the Panthers’ controversial selection policy renders all previous results irrelevant – and anything but a big Bulldogs win would surprise.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Cover the Line (-21.5) @ $1.90

SGM: BULLDOGS BY 21-30 / PANTHERS UNDER 11.5 TOTAL POINTS / CONNOR TRACEY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JACOB PRESTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $35.60

Bulldogs team: 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. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Enari Tuala 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Jake Turpin 23. Toby Sexton

Bulldogs team news: Viliame Kikau (infection) has been ruled out, with Josh Curran coming into the starting side. Harry Hayes (hamstring) has been replaced by Daniel Suluka-Fifita on the bench, while Reed Mahoney keeps his spot.

Panthers team: 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. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Preston Riki 16. Riley Price 17. Billy Phillips 18. Billy Scott 19. Niko Apelu 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Riley Wake 22. Jaxen Edgar

Panthers team news: Zac Lipowicz, John Fonua, David Fale and Billy Phillips will all make their first grade debuts with Ivan Cleary resting 16 players this week. Paul Alamoti, Daine Laurie and Mavrik Geyer are among the other new faces in the team.

When Do the Bulldogs Play Penrith Panthers During the NRL 2025 Season?

  1. Round 17: Panthers vs Bulldogs (Thursday 26th June, CommBank Stadium, Sydney)
  2. Round 26: Bulldogs vs Panthers (Thursday 28th August, Accor Stadium, Sydney)
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Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Head-to-Head Record

Accor Stadium, Sydney

Last 5 Meetings at Accor Stadium, Sydney

  1. Bulldogs 12 – 32 Penrith Panthers (10th April, 2022)
  2. Bulldogs 0 – 28 Penrith Panthers (20th March, 2021)
  3. Bulldogs 0 – 42 Penrith Panthers (26th September, 2020)
  4. Bulldogs 16 – 8 Penrith Panthers (3rd August, 2019)
  5. Bulldogs 20 – 18 Penrith Panthers (23rd March, 2018)

What is the Penrith Panthers’ Record Like at Accor Stadium?

*statistics/records as of 2010

MatchesWonLostDrawn
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What is the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs record like vs Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium?

*statistics/records as of 2010

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16691
BlueBet Stadium,Penrith

Last 5 Meetings at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

  1. Penrith Panthers 16 – 10 Bulldogs (10th May, 2024)
  2. Penrith Panthers 44 – 18 Bulldogs (23rd July, 2023)
  3. Penrith Panthers 30 – 18 Bulldogs (3rd June, 2022)
  4. Penrith Panthers 30 – 4 Bulldogs (29th May, 2021)
  5. Penrith Panthers 22 – 14 Bulldogs (27th April, 2018)

What is the Bulldogs’ Record Like at BlueBet Stadium?

*statistics/records as of 2010

MatchesWonLostDrawn
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What is the Penrith Panthers record like vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at BlueBet Stadium?

*statistics/records as of 2010

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Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Records

Team Records

  • What is the biggest winning margin between the Penrith Panthers and the Bulldogs?

    Penrith Panthers with 42 points (Bulldogs 0 – 42 Penrith Panthers, 26th September 2020)

  • Which team holds the record for most points scored in a game between the Penrith Panthers and the Bulldogs?

    Penrith Panthers with 52 points (Penrith Panthers 52 – 16 Bulldogs, 16th August 2008)

  • Which team holds the record for most tries scored in a game between the Penrith Panthers and the Bulldogs?

    Penrith Panthers with 9 tries (Penrith Panthers 52 – 16 Bulldogs, 16th August 2008)

  • What is the longest winning streak between the Penrith Panthers and the Bulldogs?

    Penrith Panthers with 7 games (26th September 2020 Bulldogs 0 – 42 Penrith Panthers to 10th May 2024 Penrith Panthers 16 – 10 Bulldogs)

Individual Records:

  • Which player holds the record for the most points scored in a game between the Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers?

    24 points by Ryan Girdler for Penrith Panthers (Penrith Panthers 44 – 8 Bulldogs, 15th August 1997)

  • Which player holds the record for the most tries scored in a game between the Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers?

    4 tries by Bernie Lowther for the Bulldogs (Penrith Panthers 28 – 31 Bulldogs, 30th June 1974)

  • Which player holds the record for the most goals kicked in a match between the Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers?

    8 goals by Ron Raper for the Bulldogs (Penrith Panthers 14 – 37 Bulldogs, 28th May 1972)

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