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Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Betting Tips - Dogs to turn it on again against Panthers in Round 26

jeremy-darke
Jeremy Darke
Editor
Last updated: Wed 26 Aug 2026 21:50
The upcoming Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs clash is tipped to be closely contested, with Canterbury given a +9.5 handicap after winning two of their last three against Penrith. Both teams have shown high-scoring tendencies, with five of their last eight meetings exceeding 40.5 points. Penrith boasts the stronger defence, but Canterbury’s attack has improved, especially with key players like Jacob Preston, who is a top Anytime Tryscorer pick. The recommended bets are Canterbury +9.5, over 40.5 points, and try scorer markets for Preston.
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  • Bulldogs backed to cover +9.5 after recent strong results vs Penrith
  • 5 of last 8 meetings have gone over 40.5 points
  • Jacob Preston favored for Anytime Tryscorer
canterbury bulldogs
Canterbury Bulldogs to cover (Getty Images)

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs Verdict


Canterbury are hanging on in terms of making the finals and they can give this one a crack. With a good recent record against Penrith, I'm taking the Bulldogs to cover with a +9.5 start. The game can also go over 40.5 points

  • Canterbury have won two of their last three games against Penrith.
  • The Bulldogs are averaging 24.4 points across their last five matches.
  • Five of the last eight Panthers-Bulldogs clashes have gone Over 40.5 points.
  • Penrith are averaging 21.2 points across their last five games.
  • Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his last four matches against Penrith.

Head to Head


Penrith have won three of the last five meetings overall, but Canterbury have taken two of the most recent three.

The Bulldogs produced one of their best wins of the season when these sides met in Round 6, beating Penrith 32-16.

Canterbury also defeated the Panthers 28-4 late in the 2025 regular season, although Penrith responded emphatically with a 46-26 finals victory a few weeks later.

The scoring history supports the total as well, with five of their last eight meetings finishing above the current 40.5-point total.

Penrith Panthers Form


Penrith returned to winning form with a 22-14 victory over Melbourne after consecutive defeats to the Warriors and Roosters.

Their defence remains the foundation of everything they do. The Panthers have conceded only 327 points this season at an average of 14 per game, comfortably the strongest defensive record of the two sides.

Their attack has been less consistent recently, however. Penrith are averaging just 21.2 points across their last five despite sitting among the competition's highest-scoring teams for the season.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form


Canterbury's season looked close to finished before their 44-14 demolition of St George Illawarra changed the equation again.

The Bulldogs have now won three of their last five and six of their last nine, with their latest performance showing significantly more attacking fluency.

Moving Matt Burton into the centres worked immediately against the Dragons, while Lachlan Galvin produced his strongest game of the season with five try involvements.

The Bulldogs are also conceding just 16.8 points per game across their last five. If that defensive effort continues, the +9.5 start gives them enough room even if Penrith ultimately prove too strong.

Verdict

Bulldogs are backed to make Penrith work for the win with the +9.5 start, having beaten the Panthers in two of their last three meetings. Over 40.5 points has landed in five of the last eight clashes between these sides, while Jacob Preston is the Anytime Tryscorer pick.

Best Bet1: Canterbury +9.5 Handicap/Line @10/11 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 40.5 Game Total @10/11 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Jacob Preston Anytime Tryscorer @29/10 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Jacob Preston First Tryscorer @20/1 at Ken Howells - 1 Unit
Canterbury +9.5
Handicap/Line
@10/11 - 3 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
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Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Over 40.5
Game Total
@10/11 - 2 Units
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Bet at dabble
Jacob Preston
Anytime Tryscorer
@29/10 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
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Bet at Star Sports
Jacob Preston
First Tryscorer
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up to £25 Cashback
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Bet at Ken Howells
jeremy-darke
Jeremy Darke

Sports Editor & Betting Analyst • 15+ Years of Experience, Australian Sports Specialist

Jeremy is a freelance journalist who is a true sports activist. A die-hard fan of the NRL all his life and also has a passion for all the major American sports.


From when he was a little fella he has played most sports ranging from rugby, ice hockey, tennis and football, just to name a few. His interest in analytics and statistics helps him find the edge while writing previews and being a regular tipster.

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