GIO Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 5 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday March 31, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Where: GIO Stadium

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Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Odds

Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Preview

A clash with a Penrith Panthers side coming off a loss is particularly poorly-timed for 1-3 Canberra Raiders outfit that already looks to be in a bit of strife.

Despite losing Jamal Fogarty to illness and Jack Wighton to the sin-bin, a 24-14 loss to the battling Knights last Sunday was a jarring result for a team that hopes to be playing finals footy again in 2023.

The usually freewheeling Canberra attack is struggling, with a lack of second-phase and impetus from the fullback spot with Xavier Savage still sidelined key. Fogarty returns but Matt Frawley stays in the halves with marquee man Wighton suspended. Jordan Rapana is also back from suspension.

The Panthers won’t be happy with a 1-2 start, but they were again tough and gritty in their golden point defeat to the Eels. Zac Hosking was superb as a late replacement for Liam Martin (who remains out with a hamstring injury) and Nathan Cleary’s last-gasp field goal equaliser was insane.

Pocket dynamo Sunia Turuva has been a revelation in Taylan May’s wing spot, but the Panthers’ inability to rack up points may start to become a concern. The premiers have conceded less points per game than any team but they rank 15th for points scored per game.

Luke Garner gets a rest this week, with Scott Sorensen getting a back-row start. Tyrone Peachey receives a bench call-up with Soni Luke (HIA) missing.

The Panthers have won eight of their last 10 against the Raiders, including the last four straight overall by margins of 16-plus and the last three in Canberra.

Last season the defending champs romped to a 36-6 home win in Round 7 and a side missing Cleary and Luai pumped the Raiders 26-6 at GIO Stadium – the infamous (original) ‘weak-gutted dog’ night.

How the Raiders manufacture points against the Panthers’ cast-iron defence without Wighton looks a near-impossible puzzle for Ricky Stuart to solve. A five-day turnaround doesn’t help their cause and a 9-3 record at GIO Stadium since the start of 2022 won’t be enough to save them.

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Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Tip

Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers Teams

Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Brad Schneider 19. James Schiller 20. Peter Hola 21. Trey Mooney 22. Jarrod Croker

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Jack Cogger 20. Chris Smith 21. Kurt Falls 22. Thomas Jenkins