Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Another taste of finals comes early as the table topping Canberra Raiders and premiers Penrith Panthers travel to Mudgee for a Friday blockbuster with huge ramifications for both sides.
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
Penrith Panthers team news
Isaah Yeo has been named on the extended bench. The Panthers skipper is eyeing a return from a shoulder injury. In what shapes as a tight contest between the premiers and the team on top of the table, Yeo may prove the difference if he does in fact play. Paul Alamoti has been named 18th man.
Squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’I 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Isaah Yeo 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
Canberra Raiders team news
No changes for the Canberra Raiders and still no sign of Savelio Tamale and Matty Nicholson as they eye their respective returns from injuries.
Squad: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’I 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Danny Levi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders prediction
The Canberra Raiders (1st) are fresh off the bye and have full control of their destiny with just three rounds remaining. The Raiders can take a giant step towards their first minor premiership since 1990 with a win over the fifth-placed Penrith Panthers.
The Penrith Panthers (5th) had their nine-game winning streak halted by the Melbourne Storm in a golden point thriller in Round 24. The defending champs must regroup quickly as they gear up for a testing run home with games against the Bulldogs and Dragons to follow. Ivan Cleary's men sit one point behind the fourth-placed Warriors, who face the Titans, Eels and Sea Eagles in their final three games. Effectively, the Panthers suddenly find themselves in a must-win scenario against the Raiders, if they want to keep their top four hopes alive.
A unique atmosphere is guaranteed at the small but picturesque Glen Willow Oval in Country NSW. The Raiders have played at the venue twice before, losing both times.
The Panthers have won five of their past six games against the Raiders.
Panthers centre Casey McLean has seemingly made the left centre position his own, scoring six tries in his last five games.
Similarly, Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored eight tries in his last nine games.
This match has all the hallmarks of a classic September finals battle. With both teams close to full strength, expect a physical battle early on with points hard to come by in the first half.
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders tip: First half total points under 22.5 & Casey McLean to score a try
