Dragons vs Panthers Prediction: Champs to tune up for finals in style

The four-time defending champion Penrith Panthers end their NRL Premiership regular season against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Win Stadium on Saturday (15:00 local, 06:00 BST).

But Ivan Cleary’s side know that if they are to make it five titles in a row they will have to do it the hard way, with three straight defeats ensuring they will finish no higher than seventh. My Dragons vs Panthers predictions follow, with the latest team news and Betfred’s full match odds.

Dragons vs Panthers Odds

The Dragons’ 4/1 price for the win in 80 minutes is reflective of their position of 15th on the league ladder.

While it’s 22/1 for the draw in normal time, the Panthers are a 2/11 shot.

Ivan Cleary’s side are 4/5 in the standard two-way handicap market in which they surrender a 13.5-point start. The Dragons are 20/21 to use the advantage to their benefit.

Team News

St George look set to send out the same 17 which was beaten 40-24 by Manly Sea Eagles a week prior.

There’s still no Moses Suli and Hamish Stewart due to a knee injury and concussion respectively, but Michael Molo could return from an ankle problem having been named as a reserve.

The Panthers are reinforced by the return of many of their star players after Cleary went for mass changes against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Brian To’o and Liam Martin do not return though, will both being held back for next week’s first finals fixture.

Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Blaize Talagi, Isaah Yeo and Izack Tago are among 12 first-teamers set to be recalled for starts, with Brad Schneider on the bench after standing in for Cleary Jr. in the loss to the Dogs.

Rugby League Odds

Handicap 3-way: Panthers -14 @ 1/1

If they were sending out the same line-up as last week, I’d be turning my attention away from the Panthers and probably picking up the Dragons on the handicap market.

But the big guns are back, and so you have to believe that Ivan Cleary will be looking to instigate a play-off-ready performance from his troops.

Lord knows, they haven’t looked anything like their old selves this season, and particularly not in recent weeks following that mid-year surge. But their rivals will only believe they’re out of contention for another title when they see it.

And while this fixture will have no real say either way, I’m expecting them to come out shooting on Saturday. With that in mind, I see the -14 handicap at 1/1 as good value as the Panthers look to make a statement.

Over 48.5 total points @ 10/11

On any normal weekend, these are not two teams who scream points.

The 42.82 per game average involved in Panthers matches is the fourth-lowest mark in the comp, while St George have the fifth-worst attack with 20.78 per game.

But the Dragons are still dangerous with ball in hand, with seven of their 15 defeats having come despite scoring 20 or more points.

And while the Panthers’ early-season defensive nightmares are largely a thing of the past, three of their 13 concessions of 20-plus have come in the last three weeks.

So even if Penrith do get on top of the Dragons early, I expect there will be a few scores at either end all the same.

The odds imply a 52.4% probability, but I’m fully behind this one being full of scoring chances.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.