Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers Verdict
The Titans appeal with a +13.5 start against the Panthers. Gold Coast have lost 10 times this season but only two have been by 16 or more points, showing they've not been blown away. At home, they can stay close enough.
- Gold Coast have covered this line in 3 straight games as well as in 3 of their last 4 against Penrith.
- 4 of the last 5 Panthers games and 5 of the last 7 Titans games have gone Under the Game Total.
- Phillip Sami has scored in three straight games and scored twice in his most recent outing against Penrith.
- 76% of all opposition tries against the Panthers have come on the edges.
Head to Head
Penrith have won seven straight head to head matchups vs Gold Coast but the Titans were able to push the most recent matchup last season to Golden Point.
The Game Total has gone Over in three of the last five games. While four of the seven wins in the streak have been by double digit margins, the last two have been by six or less.
Gold Coast Titans Form - Defeat From Jaws Of Victory
The Titans looked like they were going to clinch their 4th win of the season and first back to back victory last week against the Tigers, until they didn’t.
After going down 12-0 to start the game, they scored 3 tries in 6 minutes before halftime to lead 18-12 at the break.
They even scored first after the pause but then allowed their opponent to wrestle back momentum and take the lead. It is clear the Titans roster is not good enough yet to work to the game plan the coaching staff have set out.
While there is brilliance in attack, almost none better in the league right now than Keano Kini, the defence needs more work and they are still some way away from challenging top teams.
Penrith Panthers Form - Seven In A Row
Penrith are coming off their second bye in four weeks, have won seven in a row and flogged the Tigers 68-0 two weeks ago in their most recent outing.
They are the Premiership Favourites and their only loss came due to application and execution on the night, not structural problems.
During this seven-game streak they are averaging 33 points per game but its worth noting that two blowouts have pushed the number up, only two games have exceeded 30 points.
Defensively they are allowing just 13.1 points per game to opponents through this stretch and in only one match has their opposition reached 20 points.