NRL Round 24 Preview and Prediction - Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders (10th) v Penrith Panthers (6th) @ GIO Stadium

Preview - We get a Sunday cracker here as the Raiders and Panthers lock horns in Canberra with plenty at stake. The Raiders have won 3 games in a row and are playing their best football of the season after another big 36-16 win over the Warriors in New Zealand last week. The Raiders might have left their charge too late, as they remain 2 games outside the Top 8 with just 3 rounds remaining, and will need to win all of their remaining 3 games to have a chance to make the finals. The Panthers made it 8 wins from 9 with another unconvincing, but highly valuable, 24-16 win over an injury riddled Cowboys’ side. The Panthers have now quietly made their way into 6th place and, with a favourable run home and a healthy roster, are in good shape heading into the finals.

History - Who can forget that game earlier in the season in Bathurst where the Raiders blew an 8 point lead with 2 minutes to go to go down 24-20 in what prove the most costly game of their 2017 season. Other then that the Raiders have dominated the panthers in recent seasons winning 9 from the past 12 encounters. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders look close to full strength with Joey Leilua cleared of a knee injury, and fit to return in the centres. Elliott Whitehead has been one of the Raiders’ most consistent players this season, filling in a number of positions and doing an outstanding job. 

Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - Peter Wallace is out with a broken hand with Sione Katoa named to start in his place. The Panthers have named Trent Merrin on an extended interchange bench, however he is likely to miss at least one more game. Nathan Cleary has been in outstanding form the past month, after enduring an up-and-down 2nd season in First Grade. 

Verdict - Raiders by 4-14 in a high scoring game

I really like the Raiders here to keep the roll going and give it to the Panthers. The Panthers have been racking up the wins, but they have rarely been convincing for me, and I think they might be ripe for the picking here. The Raiders look like they’re waiting for a big game and, at this time of year at home, they are a really hard side to beat, with confidence starting to flow back through the team. I think this will be the best game of the round, and highly entertaining, with both side having plenty of strike power and playing an enterprising brand of football. I think this game will be high scoring, but I can see the Raiders dominating and winning by a couple of tries.