Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos

Penrith snapped a four game losing streak with a tough win over the Warriors in New Zealand last week (28 – 24).
The Panthers produced the form that saw them win six from eight earlier in the year, including a win over a full-strength Melbourne side.
The victory places the Panthers on 22 competition points and twelfth spot on the ladder, they are one of seven teams that are still vying for a finals berth but with Canterbury and Manly scheduled for their remaining two games, they’re backs are up against the wall.
It is a similar scenario for the opponents in Brisbane who are on 23 points and tenth spot on the ladder. They too can also not afford to lose here if they hold hopes of claiming a finals spot.
The Broncos have kept their season afloat in the past month with three tough wins and draw.
Their chances of making the finals were dealt a severe blow in round 22 however with centre Justin Hodges damaging his Achilles and whilst last week against the struggling Parramatta his absence was not missed, it may be a different case here.
Honours have been split 2-2 since 2010 with two of the last three matches resulting in total match score of less than 30 points. With so much on the line for both sides, we should see a hard fought encounter and with neither side giving an inch.
The market can’t split them and rightly so. Brisbane has been in solid form whilst a repeat of Panther’s win last week would be enough to get them across the line – but can they do it two weeks in a row?