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Author: Mick Gannon
Aug 10, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
D-day for Gus Gould's Panthers
NRL Odds: Gold Coast Titans $2.85 (+7.5.) / Penrith Panthers $1.42 (-7.5)
After thrashing the Warriors two weeks ago, the Titans continued their topsy-turvy season with an away loss to the Eels last week.
Gold Coast has showed little in the way of grit and determination of late, losing four of their past five games.
With a poor home record - four wins from nine games this season - Titans fans haven't had much to cheer about.
Meanwhile, what a huge week it has been at the foot of the mountains. Coach Anthony Griffin was shown the door in controversial style, with Cameron Ciraldo taking the reins as interim coach.
How this situation effects the playing group is anyone's guess and it is the great unknown heading into this game.
There is no doubt General Manager Phil Gould will have plenty to say to his players in the lead-up, to ensure their eyes stay fixed on the prize.
Penrith have won their last four clashes against the Titans and with a top-four spot on the line, expect them to lift and make it five in a row.
K Hipgrave (Titans)
J Whitebread (Titans)
Fine and 18 degrees.
Key NRL stats
- Average points scored: Titans 19.0 / Panthers 22.5
- Average points conceded: Titans 24.6 / Panthers 18.7
- The Panthers have won four of the past five against the Titans
Key NRL Betting Stats
- 8 of the Panthers 13 wins have been by a margin of 1-12: Panthers 1-12 @$3.10
- Phillip Sami (3) leads both teams in first try scorers this season: Phillip Sami first try scorer @ $15
- Clashes at Cbus Super Stadium have averaged 40.6 total match points: 'Under' match line of 46.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Panthers to win by a margin of 1-12@$3.10
Reasoning: The Panthers are clearly the better of the two teams, which is reflected on the competition ladder. Granted the Anthony Griffin saga will take its toll, but the Panthers have too much to play for and will come out on top.
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NRL Odds: Manly Sea Eagles $1.62 (-3.5) / Canterbury Bulldogs $2.30 (+3.5)
The Sea Eagles showed plenty of fight last week, overcoming the sharks in a 33-32 golden point thriller.
A revitalised Manly side has been scoring points with ease in recent weeks. With DCE and the Trbojevic brothers firing on all cylinders, they have averaged a much-improved 27 points in their last three games.
Whilst this is a big step-up from their season average, Manly have offered little in the way of defence, conceding 38.6 points per game over their past three matches.
Meanhwhile, Canterbury comes off a commanding performance against the Broncos that could easily have passed them off as a top-four contender. On their way to avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon, the Dogs dismantled a Broncos line-up who had already been stamped as finals contenders.
The inclusion of halfback Jeremy Marshall-King and prop David Klemmer for the Bulldogs, will boost a team whose confidence is on the rise.
The Doggies could find themselves in 12th positon on the ladder with a win this week, their third on the trot. Not bad for a team who two weeks ago looked destined for the wooden spoon.
J Marshall-King (Bulldogs), D Klemmer (Bulldogs)
G Eastwood (Bulldogs), M Frawley (Bulldogs)
Fine and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
- Average points scored per game: Sea Eagles 20.6 / Bulldogs 17.0
- Average points conceded per game: Sea Eagles 25.2 / Bulldogs 20.0
- Canterbury have won four of the past five games against Manly
Key NRL Betting Stats
- The Bulldogs have covered the line at 55% this season: Bulldogs +3.5@$1.90
- Kerrod Holland (3) leads both teams in first try scorers this season: Kerrod Holland first try scorer @ $14
- Clashes at Lottoland Oval have averaged 47.4 total match points: 'Over' match line of 43.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Bulldogs 13+ @$5.50
Reasoning: Manly have been giving up points for fun in recent weeks and that is likely to continue against an in-form Dogs side. A repeat of last week's performance by the Dogs should see them win comfortably.
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NRL Odds: Parramatta Eels $2.75 (+6.5) / St George Illawarra Dragons $1.45 (-6.5)
Last week, Parra showed their recent form was no fluke with a convincing 28-12 win at home over the Titans.
They will be looking to avoid the wooden spoon with a win this week and the signs are good for fans.
The Eels have tasted victory in two of their past three games and the total combined margin for their past three losses is only 10-points.
When these two teams met back in round 16, the Dragons took the two points in a narrow 20-18 win.
Since that victory though, the Dragons look to be on a downward spiral, having won only one of their past five games.
With a star studded line-up, it's fair to expect more from this Dragons side, who have struggled in the back half of this season.
Gareth Widdop must step up to the mark, along with half Ben Hunt, and improve their poor decision making when confronted with try scoring opportunities.
Given the recent form of both sides, this is set to be a very close encounter.
W Smith (Eels), B Lawire (Dragons)
B French (Eels), P Vaughan (Dragons)
Fine and 15 degrees.
Key NRL stats
- Average points scored: Eels 15.7 / Dragons 23.6
- Average points conceded: Eels 21.9 / Dragons 18.5
- The Dragons have won only one of the past five games
Key NRL Betting Stats
- The Eels have covered the line in their last seven games against the Dragons: Eels +6.5@$1.90
- Euan Aitken (3) leads both teams in first-try scorers this season: Euan Aitken first try scorer @ $11
- Clashes at ANZ Stadium have averaged 35.6 total match points: 'Under' match line of 40.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Eels at the line of +6.5 @$1.90 
Reasoning: Based on their last five games, the Dragons are not a sound betting proposition. The Eels have impressed in recent weeks and the +6.5 start looks very generous.
