Panthers vs Tigers Prediction: Returning stars to help Panthers purr

Penrith Panthers are set to welcome back some of their big names on Saturday morning (08:30 BST, Sky Sports+) as they prepare to host West Tigers at CommBank Stadium in the NRL.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Panthers vs Tigers prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Sydney.

Team News

Welcoming back their big names from State of Origin duty this weekend, the Panthers go with a pack consisting of Isaah Yeo, Isaiah Papali’i, Luke Garner, Lindsay Smith, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota.

Nathan Cleary, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Casey McLean, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins and Dylan Edwards start from the off in the backline.

Wests Tigers go with a pack of Adam Doueihi, Tony Sukkar, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Apisai Koroisau and Terrell May.

The backs, Latu Fainu, Jerome Luai, Jeral Skelton, Starford To’a, Taylan May, Izaac Tu’itupou and Sunia Turuva get the nod.

Panthers vs Tigers Odds

Wests Tigers are the 3/1 underdogs as they head to Sydney for this one, while the Panthers are the 1/4 favourites to secure the victory.

A draw is available at 22/1, while over 47.5 total points in the match is currently 5/6.

Panthers -14 handicap @ 20/21

A Penrith side already in good form get the luxury of welcoming back Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to their starting lineup.

With winger To’o also back in the forward line, the Panthers should be confident of securing what would be a seventh NRL win on the bounce if they can overcome the Tigers this weekend.

Wests can be unpredictable and almost caused an upset against the reigning champions earlier this season but Penrith managed to grind out an 18-14 win thanks to the boot of Cleary.

A more accomplished performance from the Panthers can be expected on Saturday as Penrith look to further improve on their current sixth place in the NRL standings.

Overcoming the -14 handicap looks achievable here for the hosts at CommBank Stadium.

Panthers to win both halves @ 10/11

The Panthers have won six of their last eight games against Wests Tigers and the hosts should be able to take the fight to the visitors from the off.

Penrith have won their last five games at CommBank Stadium and it would be little surprise to see the Panthers dominate for much of this contest on Saturday.

The last time the Panthers hosted the Tigers, they won 22-6 last year, with the hosts winning both halves.

Expect the reigning champs to do the same again this weekend against a Wests side who have lost 11 of their 18 games in the NRL this season.

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