PANTHERS
For the second week in a row, the Panthers defied betting markets and left WIN Stadium with the competition points after a beating the Dragons 16 – 4.
It was an impressive performance from the Panthers and followed a strong win over Canterbury, with both victories coming despite a growing casualty ward.

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It’s then hard to believe that in early markets, they have been again posted as outsiders – albeit just – even though they are playing at home where they boast a 7 – 2 record and will field, for the first time in several weeks, the same 17 as the week before.

This is the first of three home games over the remaining four weeks for the Panthers but with their visitors including Melbourne and the Warriors, with a game against Brookvale in-between, the Panthers, who sit currently in third spot on the ladder, still need a win to further enhance their chances of a top four spot.

High energy hooker James Segeyaro continued his good form last week, crossing for his fourth try in as many matches and taking his season tally to nine – third highest for the Panthers behind Josh Mansour and Dean Whare.

COWBOYS
After two rare wins in Sydney, followed by two recent wins at home including last week’s 64 – 6 drumming of a hapless West Tigers, the Cowboys are eyeing off five straight wins heading into this match.

The string of victories have seen them join the Warriors, Storm, Bulldogs and Eels on the ladder however, having a points differential that is only bettered by the Rabbitohs, the Cowboys claim fifth spot.

The Cowboys were ruthless last week and despite getting out to a 30 – nil halftime lead, never took their foot off the gas.

They’re building momentum at just the right time of year and another win in Sydney here, against an in-form Panthers outfit, will only further fuel the belief the Cowboys will be harbouring of going well into the final series.

They have named an unchanged side from last week.

HEAD TO HEAD
The Panthers haven’t defeated the Cowboys in their past four attempts and lost both games last year, by 13+ margins.
The 2014 Panthers however are a better side and will not be as easily dismissed.

The Panthers defence has been rock solid in the past three weeks, only conceding 26 points in 180 minutes of football however, they’ll be tested to their fullest here as the Cowboys have averaged over 30 points in their last seven games.

This venue too has been one of the more favoured by the Cowboys, having won three of their last seven visits to it.

A great game to finish off the round but expect the Cowboys attack to be slicker than that of the Dragons last week and record a fifth straight win.

Teams:

Panthers: Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, David Simmons, William Smith, Jamie Soward, Nigel Plum, James Segeyaro, Sam McKendry, Sika Manu, Isaah Yeo, Adam Docker. Interchange: Lewis Brown, Jeremy Latimore, Matt Robinson, Tim Grant

Cowboys: Michael Morgan, Tautau Moga, Matthew Wright, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Robert Lui, Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Rory Kostjasyn, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, Jason Taumalolo, Glenn Hall. Interchange: Ray Thompson, Scott Bolton, Gavin Cooper, Sam Hoare