NRL Round 17 Preview - Panthers v Warriors @ Pepper Stadium

Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors @ Pepper Stadium
 
Preview - The Panthers will be looking to maintain their spot in the Top 4 when they host the Warriors at Pepper Stadium on Friday night. The Panthers were turned last week by the Sea Eagles 18-10, and will now have to back up without their Origin players, with the Warriors a chance to leapfrog them on the table. The Warriors suffered last minute heartbreak to the Sharks, going down 18-15 as they missed the chance to leapfrog the Panthers into the Top 4. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - There will be big responsibility on the halves of Tyrone May and Jerome Luai who replace Blues pairing of  Nathan Cleary and James Maloney. Wawa Blake makes a timely return from injury at centre for Blues utility Tyrone Peachey. Corey Harawira-Naera returns on the bench for Kaide Ellis. Viliame Kikau has been named in the back row despite suffering a bruised kneecap last week.
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors welcome back their bulldozing pair of David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo returning on the wing, with Anthony Gelling out and Gerard Beale dropping to the bench. Veteran forward Adam Blair is back from suspension at lock, with Simon Mannering moving to the second row in place of Tohu Harris who is out injured. 
 
Verdict - Warriors by 1-8  

Still a little hard to trust the Warriors away from home, but given the Panthers are losing their Origin halves, they are the superior talent on paper. I reckon Penrith though will still give this game a mighty shake, as they have some of the best depth in the competition and, coming off two losses at home, will be desperate to avoid a 3-game losing streak.