Penrith should be able to get the two points against Canterbury but with the big start the Bulldogs look a very promising play this week.
Best Bet
The number in this clash between the Panthers and the Bulldogs looks too large. Penrith are obviously the better team but Canterbury have been defending very well and the line looks too large.
The Bulldogs have not conceded more than 26 all season, a marked change from last year when they were a defensive clusterfuck. Scoring on Penrith will be hard but on the evidence we have seen, Canterbury can contain the three-time defending champions.
Canterbury have covered the last two against Penrith and they have covered six of the last seven getting double digits.
Penrith are obviously a sensational team and they have covered nine of 13 at home when favoured by 14-plus. They get Nathan Cleary back. There is no knock on the Panthers. The better value is with the plus.
Same Game Multi
Canterbury are weakest on their right so Brian To’o looks a great bet to exploit that weakness. He is one of the best finishers in the NRL.
Paul Alamoti has thrived since joining the premiers, scoring in both games and will be desperate to score against his former outfit.
Value Bet
The Panthers are one of the best defensive teams in the NRL but if they do have a weakness it is on their right. Addo-Carr and Xerri are the obvious plays but fancy Matt Burton against his former team can open them up on their right. Burton has four tries this season and crossed in one of his three meetings with the Panthers.
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