NRL Round 4 Preview and Prediction - Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights @ Pepper Stadium

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights @ Pepper Stadium
 
Preview - The Panthers will be looking to get their second victory of the season as they start heavy favourites at home against the Newcastle Knights on Friday night. Whilst the Panthers lost narrowly 14-12 to the Roosters last week, it was a second straight good performance from the Panthers after that horror Week 1 outing against the Dragons. The Knights have made a far more competitive start to 2017 with a victory against the Titans either side of a 4-point loss to the Warriors and 6-point loss to the Rabbitohs. The Knights led the Rabbits 12-10 at halftime last week, and would have been disappointed with their second half performance where they let in 14 straight points before a late try gave them a glimmer of hope. 
 
History - The Panthers have been in control of the recent clashes between these two teams, winning 4 of the past 5 games. Overall however, it’s the Knights who hold a strong advantage with 23 victories to 17 losses and 3 draws. 
 
Penrith Panthers Scouting Report - With James Fisher Harris sidelined for at least a month with a fractured eye socket, the Panthers are also missing Bryce Cartwright who has failed to recover from  an ankle injury. Cartwright has had a quiet start to the season, at least on the field, and I think Penrith young halves could really create some havoc here in a game I think they will be playing off the front foot. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report – The Newcastle Knights’ Coach had the rare luxury of back-to-back line ups for consecutive games for one of the few times during his stint at the Knights. However, the Club still have not been able to find an answer to their injury crisis this year. The Knights have 8 members of their full time squad currently sidelined through injury. 
 
Verdict - Panthers by 20 +
 
I think the only thing stopping Penrith from completely blowing the Knights off the paddock here is the wet weather that is hanging around Sydney. The margin of defeat for the Knights last week I felt flattered them, as they scored 12 of their points when Souths were a man down thanks to George Burgess' brain explosion. Whilst the Panthers are 1-2, last week I thought they were desperately unlucky not to knock over the Roosters in a game I thought they had the better of, despite losing. I just think this is a real mismatch in terms of talent and depth and, if the Panthers get in front early in this game, it could be a really long night for a young Newcastle side against a team desperate to register a few wins.