Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Semi-Final

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Accor Stadium will host a Sunday blockbuster as the battered but brave Canterbury Bulldogs face their western Sydney rivals, the four-time reigning premiers Penrith Panthers, in a do-or-die elimination semi-final. 

Start date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms

Canterbury Bulldogs team news

Remarkably, the Bulldogs have named captain Stephen Crichton in the reserves in jersey number 23. If Crichton takes the field against his former club, it would be a stunning recovery after it appeared his season was over after suffering an ankle injury in the qualifying final loss to the Storm. Matt Burton shifts into the centres to fill the vacancy. Lachlan Galvin has been selected at five-eighth, replacing Burton, with Toby Sexton named to start at halfback for the first time since Round 19, when the Bulldogs beat the Cowboys 12-8 in Townsville. Bronson Xerri is back in centres after missing the loss to the Storm due to concussion, somewhat softening the Crichton blow, while Reed Mahoney returns to the team on the interchange. Winger Marcelo Montoya has been named in the reserves as he eyes a return from an ankle injury. Centre Enari Tuala suffered a fractured leg against the Storm and is out of the squad for this game.

Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Matt Burton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jake Turpin 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Stephen Crichton

Penrith Panthers team news

The Panthers have named the same 17 that beat the Warriors on their home turf last weekend. In what shapes as a big boost, Mitch Kenny has been named on the extended bench after sitting out due to a hamstring injury and will look to prove his fitness to return against the Bulldogs. Tom Jenkins remains 18th man.

Squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Luke Garner 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Mitch Kenny

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers prediction

The Bulldogs are limping into this clash after a bruising 26-18 qualifying final loss to the Melbourne Storm, a defeat made worse by a significant injury toll. Their late-season form is a major concern, having now lost four of their last five games. 

The Penrith Panthers look ominous as they continue their historic quest to win the premiership from outside the top four. They were clinical in dispatching the New Zealand Warriors 24-8 in Auckland and appear to be building towards their peak with their most influential players leading the charge.

Key Stats:

• The Bulldogs have won only two of their past seven games.
• The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs.
• The Bulldogs have less than half of the finals experience of the Panthers team.
• Panthers prop Moses Leota will make his 200th NRL appearance.
• Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored four tries in his last two games against the Panthers.

Head-to-Head:

The teams have split their two encounters in 2025. The Panthers won a tight, finals-like arm-wrestle 8-6 in Round 17, while the Bulldogs recorded a comprehensive 28-4 victory in the Round 26 rematch; however, that result is largely irrelevant as a form guide, as the Panthers rested 16 of their regular first-grade players for the match.

The Bulldogs' hopes rest on their powerful forward pack, led by Viliame Kikau against his former club, physically dominating the contest. The Panthers, brimming with health, big-game experience, and confidence, will look to exploit Canterbury's disruption with their trademark suffocating defence and Nathan Cleary's masterful game management. We think experience wins out and the Panthers live to fight another week and a date with the Broncos in Brisbane.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers tip: Penrith Panthers to win