Completing the Friday Night double header in round 20 will be the resurgent Panthers taking on the slumping Rabbitohs. With the Panthers doing their best to push their way into the top 4, and the Rabbitohs closing in on the spoon, there is plenty to play for in this game. The Panthers will be without both captains, as Isaiah Yeo and Nathan Cleary are rested. A great chance for the Bunnies here.
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Panthers vs Rabbitohs Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 20
No Yeo, No Cleary, No Worries?
The Panthers come in off the back of their fifth straight win, as they ran away with a 30-12 victory over their western Sydney rivals, the Eels last week. The scoreline flattered the Panthers a little, as the Eels were the better team in the first half, despite trailing 12-10 at the break. Granted, the Panthers dominated the second half, however they needed every bit of Cleary’s brilliance to get the job done. Cleary, in just 50 minutes, managed 10 runs for 63 metres, 3 tackle breaks, a try, line break, and line break assist, proving the catalyst for a Panthers second half domination. With 9-line breaks to 2, the Panthers showed they had too much class in the end for an Eels team that have ran out of answers this season. Can they back it up again this week against another cellar dweller, or will the double resting of Yeo and Cleary prove too much for the Panthers? Time will tell.
Rabbitohs Woeful Attack May Struggle Against Resurgent Panthers D
The Rabbitohs come in on an NRL worst 6-game losing streak, however, will be well rested after their round 19 bye. The last time we saw the Rabbitohs was round 18, where they took on the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park. It was a demolition from the Sea Eagles, as they dominated the opening hour, leading 24-0, before they allowed three unconverted tries to the Bunnies. It didn’t matter, as they easily won 30-12. Tallis Duncan continued his stellar form, scoring two tries with two-line breaks, breaking 7 tackles, and running for 170 metres. It marked the fourth try in two games for the Bunnies back rower, who is showing his talent after getting an extended spot in the starting line-up. The biggest concern was in the middle, as the Bunnies could only manage a poultry 1309 metres against the Sea Eagles, as they dropped to the worst team in the NRL regarding metres per game. Their attacking stats are poor across the board, and if it wasn’t for how poor the Knights have been in attack this year, there would be a much bigger microscope on the Rabbitohs this season.
Panthers vs Rabbitohs Recent History
The Rabbitohs have a decent record against the Panthers over the last five years, with the Panthers leading the rivalry 6-2 since their Grand Final victory over the Rabbitohs in 2021, however the past four games have been split evenly between the sides.
Whilst the Panthers won both games last season, the teams met early this season at Accor Stadium in round 4, with the Panthers closing 9.5-point road favourites, with a total of 48.5. The Panthers were missing plenty of talent, with Cleary and Edwards missing the clash, whilst the Rabbitohs were without Latrell Mitchell. Whilst the stats were quite even, it was the Rabbitohs who got the job done where it mattered, in a game of two halves. The Rabbitohs dominated the first half, leading the Panthers 28-0 at the break, in one of the worst halves of football seen from a Panthers team in six years. The Panthers fought back hard in the second half, but it wasn’t enough, as they went down 28-18.
A Clunky Game of Football Ahead
The Panthers were listed as 10.5-point favourites on the look ahead line, re-opening at the same number on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon as team lists filtered through, there was confirmation that Nathan Cleary and Isaiah Yeo would be rested, and as such Rabbitohs money came into market, pushing the number quickly down to 8.5. That number is now juiced towards the Rabbitohs, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this dipped to 6.5 at kick off. I’d make the Panthers 13.5-point favourites at full strength, so with no Cleary and Yeo, the range of 6.5 to 7.5 seems about right to me.
The Panthers have certainly looked better over the past month and a half, but I fear with all this turnover and change, particularly amongst the spine, that they may struggle to cover such a big number. If Cleary didn’t come on last week against the Eels, I’m not sure the Panthers cover the 8.5-point line in that game. I’ll steer clear for now on this one.
Looking towards the total, and it opened 46.5 and hasn’t moved, despite the losses of Cleary and Yeo. I like the under here, and it is going to be my best bet. My fair total in this game is 41.5, and the loss of Cleary and Yeo will surely slow their attack. Yes, their defence will be worse off for the losses, however I believe the Panthers’ defence has improved enough to hold the Rabbitohs under 20 points.
Both teams have heavily favoured the under this season, with the Rabbitohs having a league high 82% unders this season (3-14), whilst the Panthers have played unders in 62% of their games, including five of their past six matches. I love the under here and would also advocate for a Rabbitohs team total under, currently sitting around the 17.5/18.5 mark. I’d obviously much prefer the 18.5 though.
Under 47.5 Points
$1.90 (2.5u)
Panthers vs Rabbitohs Player Prop Bet: AJ to Score Again
Our Best Prop Bet: Johnston 1+ Try
Alex Johnston moves back to the wing with the return of Latrell Mithcell, and again it’s hard not to bet him at plus money. Don’t think too hard here, with the Panthers conceding almost 90% of their tries on edges.
Alex Johnston (1+ try)
$2.05 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi: Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Leg 1: Under 46.5 points – Check out the best bet above.
Leg 2: A Johnston (1+ try) – See above best prop bet.
Leg 3: L Garner (1+ try) – Will be a big loss to the Panthers when he leaves next season. Garner has the knack for being at the right place, at the right time. Four tries this season, I like him to score another here.
SGM Odds: $17.00 at Dabble
Panthers vs Rabbitohs Better Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday, 18th July
Location: CommBank Stadium - Parramatta
Time: 8:00pm AEST
Weather: Fine, 10 degrees
Odds: Panthers ($1.38) vs Rabbitohs ($3.05)
Line: Panthers (-9.5)
Points: 46.5
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