The Penrith Panthers will be out to maintain their first-placed position when they meet the Canberra Raiders at Glen Willow Oval in Mudgee on Saturday. 

The Panthers have hit a rough patch, losing three of their past five matches, and only just beating the Eels 24-18 last Thursday. 

Meanwhile, the Raiders continued their late-season charge with a fourth consecutive victory, this time a dominant 56-10 romp over the Tigers last Saturday. 

Canberra sits in 11th, four points behind the eighth-placed Cowboys entering Round 22. 

The Panthers have made just one change, with Jack Cogger coming in at five-eighth for Blaize Talagi. 

The Raiders have regained Owen Pattie at hooker, so Tom Starling goes back to the interchange, and Jayden Brailey drops out. 

The Panthers knocked off the Raiders 30-18 in Canberra earlier this season but lost to them at this venue last year. How will this one play out?

Panthers vs Raiders Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

We’re off to Mudgee for this one between the Panthers and Raiders and Canberra will be hoping for a rerun of last year’s proceedings.

Last season saw these two tangle at Glen Willow Oval for the first time with the Green Machine recording a stunning golden point victory.

After putting 56 on the tumultuous Tigers last week, the Raiders might fancy their chances of another Mudgee miracle here, but if there is anyone who learns from the lessons of yesteryear, it’s the Penrith Panthers.

Ivan Cleary’s men enter this one top of the pops after winning the West with a comeback win against the Eels last week.

They continue to have the tightest defensive structure in the league, one even a free-flowing Raiders attack will find difficult to expose.

With key players Cleary, Martin and Milky Jenkins peaking all at once, we expect Penrith to avenge last year’s loss here in some style. 

Betting tip: Penrith Panthers. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

It’s been a minute since we backed Bizza and he’s due for a statement showing after a hit and miss season.

Doesn’t matter if it’s Sydney or Mudgee, To’o loves playing anywhere in his home state. He has scored at least one try in eight of his last 12 appearances in New South Wales and we’re backing him to cross for the first of the match in this one. 

Betting tip: Brian To’o. 

Over/Under Prediction 

Eight of Penrith's last nine night matches have gone under the total match points line

Betting tip: Under (44.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

Penrith has covered the line in six of their last eight matches against Canberra.

Betting tip: Panthers (-8.5) line. 

Panthers vs Raiders Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Xavier Savage

Xavier Savage has scored at least one try in four of Canberra's last five matches.

Nathan Cleary

Nathan Cleary has scored a try in three of his last four appearances against Canberra outside of Sydney.

Kaeo Weekes

Kaeo Weekes has scored a try in each of Canberra's last three matches against Penrith.

Casey McLean

Casey McLean has scored at least one try in three of his last four appearances against teams on a winning streak.

Liam Henry

Liam Henry has scored a try in two of Penrith's last three matches.

Panthers vs Raiders Teams 

Penrith Panthers Team List 

1. Jaxen Edgar

2. Thomas Jenkins

3. Paul Alamoti

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To'o

6. Jack Cogger

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota  

9. Freddy Lussick

10. Lindsay Smith

11. Isaiah Papali'i

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Billy Scott

15. Scott Sorensen

16. Liam Henry

17. Billy Phillips

18. Izack Tago

Canberra Raiders Team List 

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Jed Stuart

3. Simi Sasagi

4. Matthew Timoko

5. Xavier Savage

6. Ethan Strange

7. Ethan Sanders

8. Corey Horsburgh

9. Owen Pattie 

10. Joe Tapine (c)

11. Zac Hosking

12. Ata Mariota

13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling

15. Matty Nicholson

16. Josh Papalii 

17. Daine Laurie

18. Sebastian Kris

Panthers vs Raiders Match Details 

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026. 

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST. 

Location: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee.