NRL Round 14 Preview and Prediction - Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders @ Carrington Park

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders @ Carrington Park

Preview - Both the Raiders and Panthers will be looking to break into the Top 8 as they lock horns in a crucial encounter at Carrington Park Bathurst on Saturday afternoon. After a nightmare start to the year, the Panthers have won their past 3 and put in their most impressive performance of the season in their 38-0 annihilation of the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. After starting the year as equal premiership favourites, finally the Panthers appear to be kicking into gear, but with 5 wins and 7 losses can ill afford too many more slip ups. The Raiders have been similarly underwhelming this year with 6 wins and 7 losses given the lofty expectations from within and from many pundits coming into this year off the back of their narrow Preliminary Final loss to Melbourne last year. The Raiders made a valiant comeback to get to Golden Point against Manly, however a shocking first half proved their downfall for a team that is struggling to put together an 80 minute performance.

History - The Raiders have had the wood on the Panthers of late, having won 4 of the past 5 encounters. Last season they knocked the Panthers out of the playoffs in Week 2, however that game was in Canberra. The Raiders have won just 2 of their 7 away games this season. 

Penrith Panthers' Scouting Report - Unsurprisingly, the Panthers have named an unchanged line-up from the side that steamrolled the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium last week. Josh Mansour made a hugely successful return from an ACL injury, scoring a try and running the ball in a typically strong manner, racking up over 200 metres. I liked the move of Matt Moylan to five eight and he was exceptional scoring a try and having a hand in several others, with Dylan Edwards running the ball strongly and being safe at the back. Mitch Rein was also strong in his first game of the year in the absence of Peter Wallace. 

Canberra Raiders' Scouting Report - The Raiders suffered a couple of bad injury blows in their heartbreaking loss to Manly, with 2 forwards suffering knee injuries. Dunimous Lui has been ruled out for the season after rupturing his ACL, while Representative prop Shannon Boyd is also out with a knee injury indefinitely. Ricky Stuart has been forced to name back rower Sio Soliola at prop while Royce Hunt is named to make his NRL debut from the interchange bench. 

Verdict - Raiders by 1-6 in a high quality game

This game should be a cracker with both sides desperate to get into the Top 8. I think this game will be a high scoring affair as both these side love to throw caution to the wind and play plenty of free wheeling and second phase football. The Panthers looked a lot more balanced last week, with Moylan at 6 and Edwards at 1, and I get the feeling they are going to be a lot more dangerous and well rounded outfit in the second half of the season. I will stick with the Raiders here as I believe they were hurt by a couple of injuries early in their game against the Sea Eagles and did well to get to Golden Point in that game.