Carrington Park will play host to Saturday's Round 9 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. Wests Tigers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday April 29, 2023 at 7:35 pm

Where: Carrington Park

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Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Odds

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Preview

The defending premiers and reigning wooden spooners – runaway favourites to reprise those NRL roles in 2023 – square off in one of the biggest betting mismatches of the season to date.

The Panthers are $1.10 favourites giving away an 18.5-point start. They won’t be perturbed by their last-gasp 20-18 loss to Souths on Friday but will be eager to bounce back hard. Centre Izack Tago is a key loss, with Tyrone Peachey his replacement in the backline.

Wests Tigers sunk to an 0-7 record with another spirited – yet ultimately frustrating – 22-16 loss to Manly at Campbelltown. The effort is there but confidence, attacking execution and cohesion is woefully lacking.

The NRL’s worst attacking record (15.1 points per game) and second-worst defence (26 points per game) tells part of the story, though they have only suffered one 13+ loss. David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden return out wide at the expense of Charlie Staines and Asu Kepoa.

Penrith has won nine of its last 11 against Wests Tigers. The joint venture has been reasonably competitive with the Panthers during their dominant 2020-22 period, however: the Tigers have lost two of five games by seven or less and chalked up a 26-6 win over an Origin-depleted side in 2021.

Five of Penrith’s seven games in 2023 have been decided by just six points or less. But when they’ve had the opportunity to take on a team short on form, the champs have put them to the sword – beating the Raiders 53-12 in Round 5 and the Sea Eagles 44-12 in Round 6.

Expect the Panthers to shake off the attacking shackles again in Bathurst, where they have racked up 66 points in their last two matches.

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