Panthers vs Cowboys betting tips & odds | NRL, Round 12 | 27/5/22

A blockbuster Friday Night NRL will kick off at 6pm in Penrith when the Panthers host the North Queensland Cowboys. The Panthers come off the back of a win against the Roosters at the SCG, where the clash was even for the first 25mins before the Panthers put the Roosters to the sword.

Meanwhile, despite an incredible win over the Storm in Townsville, the Cowboys have suffered two casualties, putting their backs against the wall for this Panthers clash. Forward pack leader Jason Taumalolo and QLD Origin winger Kyle Feldt have both been ruled out with knee injuries.

As impeccable as the Penrith Panthers record is at their home stadium in recent years, Friday night will be no walk in the park for them. Cowboys fullback spoke on SEN in recent weeks highlighting the emphasis on defence in the Cowboys preseason, which has showed, as only Penrith has allowed less points to be scored against them.

This defence will be the cornerstone of the North Queensland Cowboys game plan for Friday, as it always is. Although it’s expected the Panthers win, it’s expected to only be by a short margin. This is where value can be found as the Panthers are paying $3 to win in a close game by 1-12 points.

Looking at these two sides, it’s tough to pick where any one spot is for either team to score. However, one that many may overlook is in the Cowboys defensive line around Jeremiah Nanai. Nanai has bolted into QLD Origin contention not only for his ability in attack, but his immense improvement in defence this season. However, Nanai has not faced the Panthers left edge attack yet.

The overs/unders line that Viliami Kikau and Izack Tago run around Jerome Luai is incredible, and with the inexperience of Nanai, this offensive weapon of the Panthers will be seen on Friday. Tago has returned to his try scoring best in recent weeks and is great value to score a try at $2.45 with the top betting sites.

Another player in this match who’s always a chance of scoring is Hamiso ‘The Hammer’ Tabuai-Fidow. Not only does The Hammer have a freakish ability to score from anywhere on the field, he has an incredible knack of popping up in the right place at the right time to score too. In what will be a close match, The Hammer is the type of player you can back to score at any time paying $3.30.

Wet weather is predicted again for Sydney’s west and being the two best defensive sides in the NRL, points will be at an absolute premium Friday. This clash should fall under the 39.5 total match points paying $1.90.

KEY MATCH UP: VILIAMI KIKAU v JEREMIAH NANAI

The battle of the back row of Friday night will be one to watch for many reasons. Nanai will be continuing to push his case for origin selection this season and will have to do so against one of the best edge back rowers in the NRL. Kikau is an enormous defensive presence, he’s one of the best decoy runners in the NRL (in the overs/unders shape the Panthers left edge runs) and his skills with the ball have improved out of sight. Friday night will be Nanai’s biggest test to date, and he’ll need to stand up if he’s to contain Kikau and give the Cowboys any hope of winning.

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys betting tips

Panthers vs Cowboys Same Game Multi Picks

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SAME GAME MULTI: Panthers 1-12, Tago & Tabuai-Fidow ATS, under 39.5 points @ $47.94