NRL Round 6 Preview - Panthers v Titans @ Pepper Stadium

Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans @ Pepper Stadium
 
Preview - The Panthers will be hoping to make it 5 from 6 to start season 2018 when they host the Titans at Pepper Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers secured their second win over Western Sydney rivals the Eels in five weeks, with a gritty 12-6 win at ANZ Stadium, with an outstanding backs-to-the-wall defensive display. The Titans got to 3-2 on the year with an impressive 32-20 victory over the Sea Eagles in Gladstone, hitting back strongly with two victories since that demoralising 54-8 loss to the Dragons. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - Waqa Blake (ankle) is out with a long term ankle injury and is replaced at centre by Isaah Yeo, with Corey Harawira-Naera starting in the back row and Kaide Ellis joining the bench.
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans have lost Ryan James and he is is replaced at prop by Max King. Will Matthews (knee) returns in the back row, pushing Morgan Boyle to the bench. Jack Stockwell earns a spot on the interchange with Keegan Hipgrave dropping out.
 
Verdict - Panthers by 4-12 in a high scoring game

Titans usually run the Panthers really close when they play at Penrith, but I think the hosts are playing really tough football at the moment. The last two weeks have seen defensive displays that the Panthers have not been renowned for, and I think that sort of disciplined 80 minutes is a bit better than the Titans are producing just at the minute. I expect this to be a high scoring game played in warm conditions but with Panthers winning by a try or two.