Titans vs Panthers Prediction: The Penrith party goes on despite possible Origin absences

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Titans vs Panthers Odds

Oh look, how about that. The Panthers are heavily backed to win the game at 3/10, with the Titans 11/4 and the draw in 80 minutes at 80/1.

The main two-way handicap market gives the Titans an 11.5-point start, and they’re 10/11 to take advantage of that. Penrith are 5/6 to make a mockery of the two-score penalty.

Team News

As so often on the back of a State of Origin match, it’s about who clubs trust to back up the next weekend. And Titans coach Josh Hannay is to ask Jojo Fifita and skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to step up three days on from playing their part in Queensland’s 44-24 victory in Melbourne.

Jaylan De Groot makes way for Fifita in the centres, with Klese Haas replaced by Tino. Both demoted players are available from the six-man bench.

Rugby League Odds

Ivan Cleary looks set to go with a more conservative approach to his Origin reps than his opposite number. But then that’s an easier thing to do when you runaway leaders than it is if your second-bottom.

Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Nathan Cleary are all named as reserves for the time being, with Liam Henry, Luke Garner and Jack Cogger coming into the starting XIII in their places.

Paul Alamoti will shift to the wing so that Garner can join the centres, while Casey McLean is out with a quad injury so Izack Tago starts in the No.3 jumper.

Henry is in the front row, so Lindsay Smith moves to 13 to spell Yeo.

Panthers by 13+ @ 21/20

Without the consideration of Penrith’s three Origin reps being put on standby, this pick wouldn’t even be close to an odds-against possibility.

I think the 21/20 price, which implies a 48.8% probability, comes solely off the back of the team news.

But even without Yeo, To’o and Cleary, I’d fancy the Panthers to have three scores on the 3-10 Titans. And I still think there’s a big chance of at least one of them declaring themselves ready to start.