Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Tips & NRL Rd 9 Preview

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Predictions

The Panthers take this home game to Bathurst where they have won five of eight games. The Tigers have never played at this ground but I can see a situation where they keep the score close enough to have a shot at winning. 

• Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Predictions
• Head to Head 
• Penrith Panthers Form
• Penrith Panthers Team News
• Penrith Panthers Team List
• Wests Tigers Form
• Wests Tigers Team News
• Wests Tigers Team List

Wests have been edging closer to a win over the past few weeks despite having one of the worst starts to an NRL season in recent history at 0-7. Something needs to give and with the value on offer it is a simple decision to back the Tigers to cover and the winning margin to be under 12 points for any team. 

• The Tigers have covered the line in 5 of their last 7 games against the Panthers including the last 3 in a row. 
• Over the past 2 seasons the Tigers have covered the line as underdogs of 17.5 or more points 7 out of 10 times.
• 5 of 7 Panthers games in 2023 have been decided by 12 points or less. 
• The Tigers have scored 32% of their tries on the left hand third of the field. Conversely the Panthers have allowed the majority (59%) of their tries on their right hand third.

Head to Head 

Penrith own the recent head to head match-up winning five of the last seven games against the Tigers dating back to 2019. 

Despite the Tigers shortcomings over the past few seasons they have been able to keep games with the Panthers close, having losing margins of 14 or less points in four of their five losses.

Wests Tigers last win against Penrith was a 26-6 win at Leichhardt Oval in June 2021.

Penrith Panthers Form

Penrith have had an unusual start to 2023 compared to pre-season expectations. In only two of seven games played have they scored more than 18 points but have managed to win 4 games on the back of their defence. 

The Panthers didn’t do much wrong in their last start losing against the Rabbitohs. Two Souths tries in the last ten minutes of the game sealed the deal, but the Panthers won both run metres and tackle breaks.

Penrith Panthers Team News

Izack Tago is out with a pectoral injury and replaced by Tyrone Peachey. Sunia Turuva has been named but is under an injury cloud after hurting his ankle in last week's loss to the Rabbitohs.

Jack Cogger has been named in the reserves putting fuel on the fire around Nathan Cleary being rested with a niggling leg injury.

Penrith Panthers Team List

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Tyrone Peachey

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Brian To'o 

6. Jarome Luai

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. Matthew Eisenhuth

11. Scott Sorensen

12. Zac Hosking

13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange

14. Soni Luke

15. Lindsay Smith

16. Spencer Leniu

17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves

18. Luke Garner

19. Tom Jenkin

20. Chris Smith

21. Jack Cogger

22. Liam Henry

Wests Tigers Form

Wests are edging closer to their first win of the season effectively winning the first 70 minutes of their last two matches. 

If they can complete a full 80 minutes and catch the Panthers napping the Tigers could be a chance. 

Wests Tigers Team News

Charlie Staines is set to miss a number of months after suffering a bowel perforation and is replaced by David Nofoaluma. 

Brent Naden returns from injury taking his place in the centres with Asu Kepaoa out with sickness.

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula

2. David Nofoaluma

3. Starford To'a 

4. Brent Naden

5. Junior Tupou

6. Brandon Wakeham

7. Luke Brooks

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. David Klemmer

11. Isaiah Papali’i

12. John Bateman

13. Fonua Pole

Interchange

14. Jake Simpkin 

15. Joe Ofahengaue

16. Alex Twal

17. Tommy Talau