NRL Friday: Panthers v Raiders betting tips, prediction & odds, round 5, 2021

Read on for our Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at BlueBet Stadium, Sydney, on Friday, April 9.

The Panthers are red-hot once again this season and their early success in 2021 has been built on the back of brutal defence. Such is their stinginess, they have conceded just 16 points across four matches, an incredible statistic.

---

READ: NRL match betting previews and tips
NRL round 5 schedule, 2021 titles odds update
NRL Thursday: Rabbitohs v Broncos betting preview, free tips

---

Canberra have won three of their opening four matches and also would have happy with their defensive efforts, though they are conceding more like 16 points per match!

Still, the Raiders have a pack that looks like one of the few in the competition capable of going with the powerhouse Penrith forwards. This should be a brutal confrontation with tries hard to come by and a finals-like intensity.

The Panthers have won five of the past seven matches between these teams. In their one meeting in 2020, the Panthers won 28-12 at Panthers Stadium.

---

Panthers v Raiders team news for round 5

The Panthers have stuck solid with the 17 who thrashed Manly at Lottoland last weekend. They are still missing electric fullback Dylan Edwards (hand) and talismanic hooker Apisai Koroisau (wrist), but have plenty of depth. That pair should be back around round 8.

The Raiders regain powerful lock Joseph Tapine (ankle) and his return forces veteran prop Ryan James back to the bench. Dunamis Lui goes outside the 17.

Canberra centre Curtis Scott (ribs) should be available for selection for the round six match against Parramatta.

Read on for our Panthers v Raiders tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Friday, April 9.

---

Panthers v Raiders

Kick-off: 7.55pm local time
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Head to head odds: Penrith $1.40, Canberra $3
Line betting: Penrith (-7.5 points) $1.85, Canberra (+7.5 points) $1.95
Match total: 37.5 points: over $1.95, under $1.85

---

Panthers v Raiders free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free Penrith-Canberra betting tips for Friday’s game.

---

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders prediction 9-4-2021

This looms as a great clash between the teams which have finished runner-up in the past two grand finals and are desperate to get their name on the trophy. Canberra were very unlucky in their loss to the Roosters in 2019, while the Panthers dominated to 2020 season only to fall at the final hurdle when the Storm carved them up early. The Panthers and Raiders are both clearly leading contenders this year as a couple of other leading teams appear on the wane, and their meeting on Friday night should be highly enlightening. The home team just look to have too many guns overall, plus the home-ground edge. Our Panthers v Raiders prediction: Panthers by 12 points.

---

Panthers v Raiders lowdown

All sports betting previews

Relevant news