2021 NRL – Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Friday 4^th June, 2021 – 10:55 (UK)

Where is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Where can I get tickets for Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches

What channel is Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers 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 Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers? 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

WESTS TIGERS

Starting 13: Laurie, Nofoaluma, Doueihi, Talau, Roberts, Mbye, Brooks, Tamou, Liddle, Twal, Garner, L. Leilua, Seyfarth – Interchanges: Utoikamanu, Blore, Amone, Mikaele – Reserves: Chee-Kam, Simpkin, Simpkins, Cooper

Unavailable: Russell Packer (Injured), Asu Kepaoa (Injured), Joe Ofahengaue (Origin)

• Wests Tigers made it two wins from three and three successes from their last five thanks to a solid showing against St. George Illawarra Dragons last week but their task will be to back it up here as they go in search of back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
• Wests led 18-0 at the break and were able to kick on before conceding two late consolation tries to make the scoreline closer than the game reflected and that success means they are now within touching distance of the top eight despite being down in 13^th spot on the ladder.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Starting 13: Edwards, Staines, Crichton, Momirovski, Jennings, Burton, May, Leniu, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Sorensen, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: Salmon, Hopgood, Smith, Tago – Reserves: Naden, Blacker, Turuva, Falls

Unavailable: Brian To’o (Origin), Jarome Luai (Origin), Nathan Cleary (Origin), Api Koroisau (Origin), Kurt Capewell (Origin), Isaah Yeo (Origin), Liam Martin (Origin), Moses Leota (Suspended)

• Penrith Panthers made it 12 consecutive wins to begin the season as they overcame bottom side Canterbury Bulldogs in a pretty underwhelming display last week and they now face their most difficult task of the season.
• Unsurprisingly, the Panthers’ superb form has seen them receive no less than seven call-ups for State of Origin including their impressive halves pairing Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai so it will be a heavily weakened side that takes to the field this week.

THE PREDICTION

Penrith Panthers have coasted through the NRL season so far but with State of Origin call-ups impacting them greatly this week, they will hope they have enough quality in depth to maintain their unbeaten record. They made it 12 straight wins last time out and will now take on a Wests Tigers outfit that they would fully expect to beat in normal circumstances. Wests have lacked consistency all year but have started to turn a corner with three wins from their last five. However, they have so far failed to win consecutive games this season and while the Panthers are under-strength, the league leaders still have enough talent in their side to record yet another victory.