NRL Round 20 Preview - Sea Eagles v Panthers @ Lottoland

Manly Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers @ Lottoland
 
Preview - The Panthers will be looking to bounce back from an alarming loss to the Broncos when they travel to Lottoland to take on the struggling Sea Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Penrith were embarrassed 50-18, to see them slide all the way to 7th place after losing four of their past five games. The Sea Eagles were scorched 56-24 by the Roosters as their season went from bad to worse, with he Club now in a battle just to avoid the Wooden Spoon over the final six games of the season. 
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - Trent Barrett gets an injection of quality with Dylan Walker and Jorge Tafua both returning from injury.  Kelepi Tanginoa replaces Toafofoa Sipley on the bench. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - Anthony Griffin has shaken things up at the Panthers, naming Tyrone Peachey at fullback after he starred for them off the bench last week. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns on the wing, with Trent Merrin demoted to the bench in preference of Corey Hewer Niera. 

Verdict - Panthers by 1-8 in a high scoring game  

This game will tell you whether the Panthers are truly slumping, or whether they were just tired through the Origin period. Manly were terrible last week in front of their home fans so I'm expecting them to be better this week with Walker and Tafau back. I’ll go for the Panthers given they have more to play for, and the fact they might want to get some revenge on Manly for that loss a month ago, however I expect this game to be close. Being an afternoon game, expecting plenty of tries scored, with both these teams struggling defensively.