The Panthers have been active in the recruiting department during the off-season and lured to Penrith, among others, Jamal Idris, Brent Kite and halves pairing of Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward. All four have been named in the starting the starting line-up for the season opening this Saturday at Centrebet Stadium.

$250 Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights FREE BET

Whilst the halves combination is a new one, both are experienced play-makers who should combine well and quickly.

Penrith only won half of their home games last year and proved to be a hard team for punters to follow with any great confidence.

They’ll need more consistency in their game if they are to make the finals for only the second time since 2005 and some big game experience in key positions should ensure they produce competitive efforts week in, week out.

Newcastle will start the season without key pivot Jarrod Mullin who is out for up to ten weeks after tearing a hamstring at the Auckland Nines Tournament. It capped off what has been a rough off-season for the Knights and follows on from Willie Mason’s charge for drink-driving and forward Russell Packer imprisonment for assault.

The Knights will be keen to get on with the task of playing football and put such distractions well and truly behind them. They’ll travel to Penrith knowing they’ve taken the home-side in each of the last five occasions the two sides have met since 2011 – twice here at Centrebet Stadium.

The Knights have an experienced forward pack which for this game, includes Captain Kurt Gidley who takes on the role of hooker.

Despite their dominant record in past years and the new look line up of the home side, the Panthers can prevail here with a halves pairing that gives them options and a strong kicking game.

The combination of the home ground advantage and the absence of Jarrod Mullin from Newcastle, tip this game in the Panther’s favour.

Special Offer: If your team score 18 points or more but lose the match, we’ll refund your bet!

TIP: PANTHERS 1 – 12

Odds Comparison:

Penrith Panthers	1.77	1.75	1.67	1.75	1.77	1.72
Newcastle Knights	2.05	2.10	2.20	2.10	2.05	2.10

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

Teams:

Penrith Panthers:

Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dave Simmons, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace (c), Brent Kite, Kevin Kingston(c), Tim Grant, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker

Interchange: James Segeyaro, Nigel Plum, Tyrone Peachey, Sam McKendry, Jeremy Latimore (one to be omitted)

Newcastle Knights:

Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Michael Dobson, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith

Interchange: Travis Waddell, Chris Houston, Alex McKinnon, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa’alogo (one to be omitted)