Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Prediction: Edwards could help Panthers force second win of 2025

Reigning NRL Premiers Penrith Panthers head to Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Thursday (10:50) to face an upbeat Dolphins side.

Below are my Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers predictions, complete with the latest team news and match odds.

The Dolphins lost their opening four games of 2025, but Kristian Woolf got his first win as an NRL coach in round five, as his side convincingly saw off Queensland rivals Gold Coast Titans 36-10.

Penrith also have only one win for the season, beating Cronulla in round one, but have since lost to the Roosters, Storm, Rabbitohs and Cowboys.

Half-back Nathan Cleary, who now requires eight to be his club's all-time leading points scorer, is already being questioned about his ability to run the team without the help of Jarome Luai following the Samoan’s departure to Wests.

He will have a new man alongside him in Brisbane, while fullback Dylan Edwards' return could also signal an upturn in Penrith's fortunes.

Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Odds

The Dolphins are 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, to back up last week and win for the second time in 2025, with Penrith 2/5 despite their poor start to the season.

A draw is 22/1, while a repeat of last year's two-point 28-26 win for the Panthers can be backed with a wider margin for error at 6/1 for a Penrith victory by 1-5 points.

Team News

Skipper Tom Gilbert's return from suspension prompts a reshuffle in the pack for the Dolphins. Max Plath moves to lock, Felise Kaufusi to prop and Mark Nicholls drops to the bench. Halfback Isaiya Katoa will make his 50th NRL appearance.

Meanwhile, forward Ray Stone serves a one-match ban after being placed on report following his sin-binning for a high tackle on Titans forward Beau Fermor.

Rugby League Odds

It's also mixed news for the Panthers, who can recall fullback Edwards after three games out with a groin problem, while Scott Sorensen returns to the back row after a concussion.

However, Mitch Kenny (shoulder) and Jack Cole (head knock) are out. Luke Sommerton and Blaize Talagi replace them at hooker and five-eighth, respectively.

Winning Margin 1-12 - Penrith Panthers 1-12 Points @ 21/10

Individual performances could count in a game between teams lacking cohesion, and Edwards' return might be decisive.

Daine Lawrie has had some good moments, but Edwards is arguably the best fullback in the competition and has produced numerous game-changing moments to help Penrith win four straight Premierships.

His duel with opposite number Hamiso Tabui-Fidow could be telling, and Tabui-Fidwo may feel he can find gaps after scoring a brace of tries in last season's narrow defeat in Penrith to take his tally to four tries in his last three appearances against the Panthers.

Both always make metres, but Edwards may have the edge and it is also worth noting that Ivan Cleary's visitors have won nine of their last 10 at Suncorp and have never lost to the Dolphins.

It may not be pretty, but Penrith's pragmatism and functionality has gotten them through so much in recent years, and they can scrape their second victory of 2025 to propel themselves up the ladder.

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