2020 NRL – Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction

Select the sports you want to hear about and TSZ will send the best previews, analysis and predictions straight to your inbox. Sign up today!

THE FACTS

When is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Saturday 26th September, 2020 – 06:00 (UK)

Where is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers taking place? ANZ Stadium, Sydney

What is the expected weather for Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers? 17c, sunny

What channel is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

Where can I get tickets for Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches

THE TEAM NEWS

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Starting 13: Hopoate, Watene-Zelezniak, R. Smith, Lafai, Okunbor, Averillo, Lewis, Tolman, Marshall-King, Thompson, C. Smith, Faitala-Mariner, Jackson – Interchanges: Wakeham, To’omaga, S. Katoa, Sue – Reserves: Britt, Cogger, T. Katoa, Holland

Unavailable: Joe Stimson (Injured), Adam Elliott (Injured), Kieran Foran (Injured), Dylan Napa (Injured), Matt Doorey (Injured), Ofahiki Ogden (Injured), Tim Lafai (Suspended)

• Canterbury Bulldogs gave themselves a superb chance of avoiding the wooden spoon as they shocked South Sydney Rabbitohs with a brilliant first half display to climb off the foot of the NRL ladder and that win proved to be enough as Brisbane Broncos fell to defeat against North Queensland Cowboys on Thursday.
• The Doggies raced into a 20-point lead and despite the Rabbits mounting a valiant fightback to try and overturn that deficit, Canterbury scored a crucial try with 15 minutes remaining to extend their lead to ten points which they were able to defend.
• Lachlan Lewis suffered a head knock last week but he is expected to line-up at halfback after he was named in the initial side but Tim Lafai will make way after he was handed a ban with Tui Katoa or Kerrod Holland likely to take his place in the centres.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Starting 13: Laurie, Mansour, May, Naden, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Tamou, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Capewell, Martin, Yeo – Interchanges: Burton, Leniu, Leota, Tetevano – Reserves: Kenny, Whare, Hetherington, Burns

Unavailable:

• Penrith Panthers sealed the minor premiership as they extended their winning streak to 14 consecutive victories thanks to a comfortable success against North Queensland Cowboys last week and they will now look to go into the finals on the back of another success.
• The Panthers played some free-flowing footy as they amassed 32 points but in conceding just 12 points, they head into the final round of the season boasting the best defence in the competition.
• They have again opted to rotate their side ahead of the finals with Dylan Edwards, Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton all afforded the week off so highly-rated youngster Daine Laurie will get a shot at fullback while Matt Burton is also called onto the bench.

THE PREDICTION

Penrith Panthers have looked like winning the minor premiership for a large portion of the season and they secured that title with their 14th straight win last week. They will be confident of extending that record as they take on Canterbury Bulldogs, a side with just three victories to their name all season. The Dogs earned a superb win over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week as they climbed off the foot of the ladder but they may still need to win this clash to avoid the wooden spoon. However, they face an uphill task against a dominant Panthers outfit and despite resting a few players, Penrith should be capable of winning this by at least 14 points.