2021 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Friday 9th April, 2021 – 10:55 (UK)
Where is Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders taking place? BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Crichton, Staines, Momirovski, Burton, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Capewell, Yeo – Interchanges: May, Leniu, Eisenhuth, Martin – Reserves: Sorensen, Jennings, Hopgood, Salmon
Unavailable: Api Koroisau (Injured), Dylan Edwards (Injured)
- Penrith Panthers’ ominous start to the season continued as they swept Manly Sea Eagles aside last week by running in 46 points and it is now four wins from four for the side that top the ladder at this early stage of the season.
- The Panthers have conceded just 16 points so far and that will be a real issue to overcome for opponents Canberra Raiders in this contest, while Penrith are also looking a big threat with the ball having managed 25 line breaks so far this season which is the highest in the NRL.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Simonsson, Croker, Kris, Rapana, Wighton, G. Williams, Papalii, Hodgson, Sutton, Young, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Starling, Havili, Soliola, James – Reserves: S. Williams, Valemei, Lui, Harawira-Naera
Unavailable: Curtis Scott (Injured), Harley Smith-Shields (Injured)
- Canberra Raiders produced a professional display as they did what was required to overcome Gold Coast Titans last week and having conceded just four points in that win, head coach Ricky Stuart will have been delighted with his side’s response to their loss against New Zealand Warriors.
- The Raiders still have work to do if they are to challenge the in-form Panthers with their defensive efforts likely to be critical in this contest but Canberra will need to reduce their number of ineffective tackles having made 83 so far this campaign, the second-highest in the league.
THE PREDICTION
This could be a clash between two of the top four come the end of the season but if that is to be the case, Canberra Raiders will need to find some greater consistency in their performances from week to week. Penrith Panthers have been superb to start the season and last year's minor premiers look set for another big campaign having ran riot in a big win over Manly Sea Eagles last week to continue their 100% start. This will be a tougher task for them against a Canberra side capable of mixing it with the best on their day but having won 11 straight matches on home soil, the Panthers are likely to prove too good for the visitors and they can claim another success here.
