NRL round 24: Panthers v Roosters betting tips
The slipping Panthers host the surging Roosters in Western Sydney on Thursday night in a blockbuster match-up that could well decide the minor premiersip for the 2026 NRL season.
For much of this season, the Panthers have been way out in front of the chasing pack as they seemingly headed for their fifth title in six years. But a slump in form not helped by a run of injuries to key players has resulted in them dropping four of their past seven matches to open the door for rivals.
The Roosters have been the team to emerge, winning their past seven matches, though it would be over-egging it to say they have suddenly started dominating the competition. If we take out the outlier (their astonishing 82-12 win against the Cowboys), their average winning margin in the other six games has been only just over eight points, with several fortunate escapes among them.
The good news for Panthers fans is that they have dominated the Roosters for the best part of a decade, winning 12 of their past 13 contests.
This is a must-watch clash as the teams head into the match locked on 15 wins from 20 matches, with the Panthers’ 135-point advantange in the points differential all that remains of their previously dominant season.
This clash is potentially a preview of what many commentators see as the likely grand final match-up and with a perfect winter’s evening forecast it should be something special.
The Panthers are favourites at around $1.77 with Australian betting sites and interestingly have been well backed to cover the line set at just 1.5 points. It started at $1.90 but is now around the $1.83 mark.
Panthers v Roosters team news
Panthers: There is intrigue around star fullback Dylan Edwards (shoulder). The Panthers have sorely missed his sure hands and blistering pace from the back, but he has been named in the reserves and could be a late in for this match. They won’t want to risk him with the finals looming but if he is included it is an enormous boost to a line-up that has been hampered by injuries to key players. Skipper Isaah Yeo (pectoral) will be badly missed against the powerful Roosters pack, with prop Lindsay Smith moving to Yeo’s spot and Liam Henry starting up front. Nathan Cleary regains halves partner Jack Cogger, who missed the loss to the Wahs to be present at the birth of his child. His replacement Jack Cole moves back to the bench.
Roosters: Trent Robinson’s side is close to full strength though they are still missing veteran winger Daniel Tupou with a shoulder injury and second-rower Angus Crichton with a foot injury. They regain talismanic captain James Tedesco at fullback after his recovery from an ankle injury. Cody Ramsey goes back to the bench.
Panthers challenged in NRL title betting
For the first time since early this season, the Panthers are being challenged at the top of NRL title betting as well as for top spot on the table. The wheels are wobbling a little for Ivan Cleary’s mighty team.
Penrtih eased from $2.60 out to around $3.25 to lift the trophy, and that is the first time their title price has started with a three since about round six. That of course came on the back of their 28-12 humbling across the ditch against the Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Roosters continue to firm in title betting, advancing from $5 into $4 after their gutsy 20-18 win against the resurgent Bulldogs put them level on points on the table with the Panthers.
If the Roosters can continue their winning streak against the injury-hit Panthers, we will likely have a new favourite to lift the NRL title in season 2026.
Also, let’s not forget the Warriors, who have overcome a less-than-ideal injury run to be within striking distance; they firmed from $9.5 into $6.25 in title betting and are quietly staking a claim for their first NRL title.
Bookies really only rate two other teams as serious contenders. The Sharks blew from $7.5 out to $9 after their bitter derby rivals the Dragons produced a brutal upset; the Dolphins beat their derby rivals Broncos, but not without drama after at one stage trailing 24-0! The attacking wizard Dolphins firmed from $11 into $10, but titles are won on the back of defence so they have work to do.
The Knights and Rabbitohs stayed around the $21 mark with fighting wins, while the Sea Eagles’ chance largely died as they eased from $41 out to $126 after falling to the Storm.
Read on for our Panthers v Roosters tips and winner prediction for their round-24 NRL clash.
Panthers v Roosters match information
- Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT, Thursday, August 13
- Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney, home of the Burramattagal People
- Head to head odds: Panthers $1.77, Roosters $2.05
- Line betting: Panthers (-1.5 points) $1.83, Roosters (+1.5 points) $1.98
- Match total: 42.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
2026 NRL premiership betting
$3.25 Penrith Panthers
$4 Sydney Roosters
$6.25 New Zealand Warriors
$9 Cronulla Sharks
$10 Redcliffe Dolphins
$21 Newcastle Knights
$23 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$41 Canterbury Bulldogs, North Queensland Cowboys
$126 Manly Sea Eagles
$251 Melbourne Storm
$501 Canberra Raiders
Panthers v Roosters betting tips
Arguably the two best side this NRL season, though the Warriors may still have something to say about that.
The Roosters went all-in by recruiting the master playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans at 37 years of age and he has helped fashion them into legitimate title contenders. This match agaist their recent nemisis should be a perfect illustration of how far they have come.
The inclusion of Dylan Edwards would sway us slightly but we just feel the Roosters head into this one with all the momentum. This is a battle of two master coaches, one which Ivan Cleary has dominated. But maybe this time the Roosters’ Trent Robinson will get one back.
In any case, strap yourself into your favourite armchair for a clash of the NRL heavyweights.
Roosters by 2 points.
- Roosters +1.5 points/match total under 42.5 at $3.50 with Australian betting sites.
- Brian To’o (Panthers) anytime try-scorer at $2.05. Everyone’s favourite winger is on 99 tries and he would love to bring up the ton in this huge clash.
NRL round 24, 2026
- Thursday, August 13: Panthers v Roosters, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, home of the Burramattagal People | 7.50pm
- Friday, August 14: Sea Eagles v Dolphins, 4 Pines Park, Sydney, home of the Garigal People | 6pm
Bulldogs v Rabbitohs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, home of the Burramattagal and Wann-gal Peoples | 8pm - Saturday, August 15: Sharks v Raiders, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney, home of the Dharawal People | 3pm
Eels v Cowboys, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, home of the Burramattagal People | 5.30pm
Broncos v Warriors, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, home of the Yuggera and Turrbal Peoples | 7.35pm - Sunday, August 16: Knights v Titans, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, home of the Awabakal People | 2pm
Wests Tigers v Dragons, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, home of the Burramattagal People | 4.05pm
* Storm have the bye
