Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers
26th September 0600hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Bulldogs +18 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even money odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September
The good news for the Canterbury Bulldogs is that last weekend’s win over the Rabbitohs has given them a shot at avoiding the wooden spoon.
The bad news for them is in this final game of their season, they are facing the newly crowned minor premiers the Penrith Panthers.
The Panthers continued their impressive winning streak last weekend with a win over the Cowboys, who are only placed above the Bulldogs.
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Canterbury Bulldogs Preview – Bulldogs face a thankless task
Heading into round 20 the Canterbury Bulldogs are second-from-bottom, level on points with the Brisbane Broncos beneath them.
In order to avoid the wooden spoon, the Bulldogs have to match whatever result that the Broncos pick up on the weekend.
That could be good news for the Bulldogs who are the 11/2 underdogs in the match outright for this contest* (odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September).
The Bulldogs put a bit of cheer on the board last weekend as they collected a 26-16 win over the finals-bound South Sydney Rabbitohs.
That leaves them with a W1 L7 record in their last eight league outings, so a big losing sequence was snapped by them.
But this is significantly tougher opposition for them on Saturday and to reflect that in NRL betting, a Bulldogs +18 handicap is at even money* (odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September).
Only the bottom side the Brisbane Broncos have scored fewer points this season than what Canterbury have managed.
It has only been an average of 14 points per game by the Canterbury Bulldogs this season in the NRL and that just doesn’t stand up to the scoring power of the Panthers.
In stark contrast to that figure, the Penrith Panthers have produced an average of 26 points per game in this campaign.
Even more problematic for the Bulldogs, they have conceded twice as many points on average per game (24) than Penrith.
It is going to be an uphill battle for them.
Penrith Panthers Preview – Panthers to round off the regular season in style
Having claimed the minor premier title, Penrith will be going to the finals as one of the front runners for the premiership.
It is a W17 D1 L1 record that Penrith have produced and last weekend they picked up a 32-12 win over the Cowboys, who are in the bottom three alongside the Bulldogs.
So that’s a pretty good indicator for this one and realistically a Panthers -18 handicap isn’t unreasonable for even money for NRL betting* (odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September).
The average winning margin produced by Penrith this season is 15.5 points.
This is the only meeting between the Bulldogs and Panthers in this shortened NRL season, and the head to head actually makes for some interesting reading.
Each of the last four meetings between the two clubs have been won by the home side and by no more than an 8-point margin.
So over the last six meetings, the Panthers just shade things with a W 4 L2 record against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
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Penrith Panthers however, are playing like champions this season as they have taken their game to a different level.
So the one question in this is will the Panthers take the opportunity to rest some of their key players before the finals?
It would make sense with nothing at stake in this game for them, other than extending their brilliant season further.
But during this run in when their depth has been called upon to perform, they have just going about their usual winning business anyway.
It’s hard not to see them collecting a win at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Betting Advice
The win should be coming for the Panthers, even if they do, sensibly rest some of their key players.
So that just leads up back to the handicap market to try and pick out the best value.
Considering that the average winning margin this season for Penrith is 15 and the average losing margin for the Bulldogs is 13 the value is on the underdogs.
Key Facts – Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Betting Tip
- Canterbury Bulldogs have lost seven of their last eight matches
- Canterbury Bulldogs are W2 L4 in their last six against Penrith
- Penrith Panthers are the minor premiers for the season
A Bulldogs +18 win should be sized up for this one at even money we feel* (odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September).
Looking at it a different way for NRL betting a Penrith 13-18 winning margin seems worthwhile to take a look at for 5/1* (odds taken 0112 GMT, Wednesday 23rd September).
Even a potentially understrength Penrith should win this game comfortably.
The best betting odds for Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers
Canterbury Bulldogs to win: 7/1 at Bet365
Draw: 28/1 at Bet365
Penrith Panthers to win: 1/8 at Bet365
