The Panthers will host the unpredictable Raiders in the second game set down for Saturday with both teams heading into the encounter with a 2 – 2 record this year.

The Panthers’ two wins have both came at home – a comfortably 30 – 8 win over Newcastle in the opening week of competition and in round 3, a 18 – 16 win over Canterbury which was secure with a conversion after the siren.

$250 Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders FREE BET

The Panthers headed into last week’s clash against Parramatta the slight favourites but only hit the front for the first time in what was a tight contest, just after half-time.

The home-side finished too strongly however, scoring three late tries and defeating the Panthers 32 – 16.

The game was there for the taking for the Panthers and not being able to field a regular halves combination thus far this season was telling late. When they needed some direction and consistency in attack in the final quarter, it wasn’t always as effective as it could have been.

Halfback and Co-captain Peter Wallace returns this week however and along with Tim Grant and Josh Mansour named in the starting line-up, there should be no similar problems this week.

The Raiders continue to frustrate punters and after being beaten in round 3 as favourites by the Gold Coast Titans, caused a big upset by handing South Sydney their third consecutive loss as long-shots last week.

The Raiders took their opportunities against and in a dominate first half against a disappointing and disjointed South Sydney side, scored four unanswered first half tries including a double to Reece Robinson.

With a completion rate for the game of 35/38 and a kicking game that reaped 900m compared to Souths’ 346, the Raiders demonstrated just what they are capable of when on song.

It’s their consistency that lets them down.

Canberra have lost two of their past three games by margins of 26 and 22 when visiting Centrebet Stadium with their one victory coming at the end of 2012, when Canberra where making a run to the finals and the Panthers languishing at the bottom of the table.

The inclusion of Peter Wallace and playing at home, against the inconsistency of the Raiders should see the home-side win this one.

Odds Comparison:

Penrith Panthers	1.48	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.48	1.48
Canberra Raiders	2.70	2.65	2.65	2.65	1.60	2.70

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Josh Mansour, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Sam McKendry, Sika Manu, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Jeremy Latimore, Nigel Plum, Lewis Brown, Tyrone Peachey

Canberra Raiders:
Anthony Milford, Reece Robinson, Jarrod Croker, Matt Allwood, Bill Tupou, Jack Wighton, Terry Campese (c), David Shillington, Glen Buttriss, Brett White, Jarrad Kennedy, Joel Edwards, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Josh McCrone, Paul Vaughan, Shannon Boyd, Dane Tilse, Jake Foster