NRL Finals Week 1 - Penrith v Canberra

[GameTipper]

Discuss the big Qualifying Final clash, Penrith v Canberra in this thread! Any betting tips, odds or anything about the match can be written here!
First round of the NRL finals series begins here...

[GameTipper]

Match Preview

The second big final on Saturday night is direct from CUA Stadium, as the home team Penrith look to continue their finals series against a spirited Canberra side who are probably the form team coming into the finals this year. Another game that looks one sided from the odds on offer, but in reality could come down to last play heroics from anyone who’s willing to, or able to, stand up and make a late play in the game. Really looking forward to seeing these two go at each other, and should prove to be another entertaining match well worth waiting for. Expecting a huge crowd for this one too, which may, or may not make the difference in the end.

The Stats: Played 57 – Penrith (28 wins) – Canberra (28 wins) – Draw (1). Nothing separates these two on the head to head stats after the Raiders took revenge from the early season loss to the Panthers to win at home last time they met. At the CUA Stadium, it’s the Panthers who hold a 15 win, 9 loss and a draw, which is far better than the Raiders efforts here in the past. It should also be noted that the Raiders have not won here since 2008 either…

The panthers have had a great season by all accounts, and enter the finals on the back of a 3 game win streak, but were also 1 win from 6 of the games preceding that last treble effort. Lucky they have a second chance going into this game, as 4 wins from 9 games is just not good enough from a team that somehow, and amazingly finished second. They’ll be missing their captain this week to suspension again, and may lack a little courage because of it. They may find themselves out of lives quicker than finding a spare week off, and will need to play at their best to get through this game with a win.

Playing for keeps is the current motto at the Raiders, who have been forced to win each and every game they’ve played for the last 5-6 weeks just to make it here, and still need to continue winning to progress any further in the final series. The undisputed form team, they come into this match on the back of an amazing run of 8 wins from 9 games, including a great win over Penrith along the way. They obviously know how to win, and have got their game down pat when it’s needed. The only question here is… when will the bubble burst, or will it?

Conclusion

A super game in the making where being even, and the odds on offer, mean next to nothing when it comes to the result. It’s where pure passion and fight mean everything, and will ultimately win the game. I reckon the bubble isn’t gunna burst here, and the Raiders will continue their end of season revival and roll the home side here. It’ll be close, and probably low scoring, but grinding out wins is what they do, and I’m afraid the Panthers may let them off the hook late and allow them to steam roll their way to victory against the odds. I’m Predicting – Canberra by 8pts!