NRL Round 18 Preview and Prediction - Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles @ Pepper Stadium

Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles @ Pepper Stadium
 
Preview - The Sea Eagles will be aiming for a 6th straight win to maintain their spot in the Top 4 as they make the trip to Pepper Stadium to take on the  struggling Panthers on Saturday afternoon. The Sea Eagles are starting to go from Top 8 hopefuls to Premiership contenders as they continue to impress with both their talent and the brand of football they are playing under second year Coach Trent Barrett. Last week in Perth they had to do things the hard way, giving up a 16-point start to the Warriors before rallying for 26-22 victory to keep their winning streak alive. The Panthers were desperately disappointing given they had so much to play for in their 42-8 loss to the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. Penrith now sit with just 7 wins from 16 games and are 2 games outside of the Top 8, after coming into the season as equal Premiership favourites. 
 
History - The Panthers have dominated the Sea Eagles in recent years, winning 6 of the previous 7 encounters. Last season at Pepper Stadium, the Panthers racked up over 40 points, however it was Round 26 and the Sea Eagles were playing for nothing except pride. The Panthers have won the past 3 encounters against the Sea Eagles, however Manly are unbeaten in 7 games on the road this season. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - The Panthers get back Mitch Rein at hooker after he missed last week through illness, which relegates Sione Katoa back to the bench. With Dean Whare out with a broken jaw, Tyrone Peachey wins a place back in the starting side replacing Whare at centre. 
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - The Sea Eagles will be thrilled to have the services of their captain Daly Cherry-Evans after he was bizarrely ignored by the Queensland selectors despite another Man of the Match display against the Warriors in Perth last week. The Sea Eagles welcome in Darcy Lussick to the starting side as he starts at lock for Jake Trbojevic who is on Blue’ duty. Lewis Brown is out with a knee injury and he is replaced in the back row by Jarrod Kennedy. 
 
Verdict - Panthers by 1-8 in a high scoring game 

I expect Penrith to lift here back at home given this is essentially a do-or-die match for them after last week’s terrible display against the Rabbitohs. Maybe Manly might be a little bit flat coming home from the road trip to Perth and with 5 straightens under their belt. This is a classic case of a game whereon team has to win in Penrith and one teams wants to win in Manly. The Sea Eagles are playing with both confidence and momentum at the minute however I think the loss of Jake Trbojevic is significant; however Daly Cherry-Evans will be out for another huge game given his Origin snub.  I expect this game to be both close and high scoring with both sides capable of scoring 4-5 tries, however I'm going with the Panthers to sneak home given their season is essentially on the line.