Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Preview
Expect a reaction from Penrith, who suffered a shock loss last week. They might not be up to covering the large +15.5 start the Dolphins have been handed. The Game Total can go Under 52.5 points to help with the Phins covering.
- The Dolphins have covered in all 3 head to head games against Penrith since joining the NRL.
- 3 of the last 4 Dolphins games have gone Under while the Game Total Under is currently underrepresented on the season at 46%
- Dylan Edwards has scored in 2 straight games and in 3 of 5 this season.
- The Dolphins have allowed a try to opposing fullbacks in 4 of 5 games this season.
Head to Head
These two teams have met just once per year since the Dolphins joined the NRL. Penrith won the first two with the second going to Golden Point while the Dolphins won last season 30-12 at Suncorp.
Two of the three matchups have gone Under the Game Total while the Dolphins are 3-0 ATS.
Dolphins Struggling For Wins
The Dolphins are part of a five team backlog of teams at the bottom of the table with just two wins over the first six rounds. With the extra points from the Bye, they currently sit 12th but have the worst differential of the top 14 teams.
After two solid wins against the Titans and Sharks, the Dolphins have now lost back to back games before their bye to the Broncos and the Sea Eagles, conceding 78 points combined in those two matches.
Not only has their defence not improved this season but their league leading attack last year has regressed. They have scored 18 points or less in three of their five games and have at times looked stagnant attacking the opposition line.
Penrith Panthers Shocked By Dogs
The Panthers were brought back down to Earth last weekend, losing for the first time this season, 32-16 against the Bulldogs. It was just the second time this year over the six games that Penrith have allowed more than 10 points to their opponent.
It was very apparent the Bulldogs plan was to throw a surprise attack at Penrith and it worked with two tries in the first 10 minutes.
The Panthers were forced to change their approach and even though they were down 16-12 at the half, a 65% completion rate is hard to turn into a winning position.