NRL Round 25 Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans Preview

Two weeks out from the completion of the regular season and NRL fans are treated to the second 3:30pm kick off within a few weeks. One would think that with the current broadcasting rights settled, this is a trial run for things to come. It probably won't be the most entertaining clash either but it will be interesting to see what type of numbers attending this game. The game itself does have some importance but both sides would admit that their current place on the table is very disappointing. The Panthers are still locked in a battle for the spoon and they dragged themselves two points ahead of the Eels with a tough in against the Warriors over in NZ. Then again, it was only against the Warriors. Nonetheless, confidence will be taken away from that win and this is very important for this squad as they look to build towards 2013 and beyond. Up in the Gold Coast, the Titans have had their fair share of injuries which has effected their season immensely. Regardless, they have been a major disappointment when you consider the amount of talent they have within their squad. They are still an outside chance to make the Top 8 but do need a few things to go their way. They will be trying their best to get a win to keep those hopes alive. This is all against a side that is desperate to avoid the spoon. The Panthers players do appear to have some belief within themselves and this is reflected within their play. Good to see this too. The Titans have a lot more to play for here but the Panthers will not want to suffer a loss in front of their home fans who have been through so much with them this season.

Penrith Panthers

The Panthers come back from a tough win against a Warriors side that is definitely going through a very tough form slump. But regardless, you can only play what is in front of you on the day. The good thing for the Panthers was that a lot of the moves that they were trying early on in the game were just not coming off for them. Had they've stuck, they Panthers could've won that match by a lot more points. There is some good news as well heading into this game as Michael Jennings is returning from suspension and is immediately shifted back into the centres at the expense of Travis Robinson. Nigel Plum is also promoted back from the bench into the start side to start at lock. As a result, Cameron Ciraldo has moved up to second row and Matt Robinson has moved back to the bench. They have only named 4 on the bench and there is a new face this week in Adam Docker who will make his NRL debut. This is the result of an injury to Mitch Achurch. The Panthers are building some nice combinations all over the park and it is very important that this continues as they move away from the spoon and into 2013, hopefully as real contenders.

Gold Coast Titans

The Titans know what they need to do and what lies in front of them. Coach John Cartwright has gone with the same starting side that has gotten the job done in the last few weeks. There is only change to the entire side is the addition of Brenton Lawrence to perhaps cover them for the trip down to Sydney. Things are looking up for them apart from the fact that they're going to find it extremely tough to make the finals. Scott Prince is starting to form a good partnership with Aidan Sezer in the halves and they are working well with Matt Srama at hooker. Srama is getting the forwards moving over the advantage line with his dynamic play out of dummy half. Then you have the players in their side who are now mirroring their representative level of play. This is Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird. It is just a shame that it has taken this long to occur but granted that it has been a tough season for them injury wise. They need to keep their eyes on their main objective here and hope that the rest can take care of itself.

Recent History
Overall = Panthers 3 - Titans 3
Last 5 games = Panthers 3 - Titans 2
At Centrebet Stadium = Panthers 1 - Titans 1

Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Panthers $2.45 Titans $1.57
Centrebet = Panthers $2.50 Titans $1.56
Sportsbet = Panthers $2.45 Titans $1.58
Betfair = Panthers $2.52 Titans $1.62

Verdict

The Panthers are certainly trying very hard to avoid the wooden spoon. A lot of people have been having a go at them for their current place on the table but it is the rebuilding phase that they are now going through which will put them in a good position in years to come...hopefully. It is for that reason alone that I think that the Panthers will find a victory very hard to come by in this instance. The Titans have far more to play for and will be trying to keep their finals hopes alive for another week. The Panthers will put up a fight but the Titans will previal in the end.

Suggested Bet
Titans @ $1.62

Titanic Line value? = Titans - 3.5 @ $1.72 - The Titans have a lot of points in them and can definitely get the win here. The line offered is a very funny one too. I'll be interested to see if they readjust it.

By more than a try = Titans Over 6.5 points @ $2.15 = Again this bet is chosen on the fact that the Titans will be able to win by more than 8 points. The Titans will be pushed by the Panthers but surely they can cover this points spread as well.

Good luck!
Scooby

@scoobystips