Panthers vs Warriors Finals Week 1 Tips, Prediction & Preview

Andrew Hendrie: Sep 9, 2023

Penrith Panthers begin their next step in their pursuit of three straight premierships when they host the New Zealand Warriors in Week 1 of the NRL Finals on Saturday.

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors free NRL Finals Week 1 betting tips, predictions and preview by our NRL tipping experts – Panthers have won the last seven meetings between the teams…

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors H2H Prediction

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Tips

Best Panthers 13+ margin odds $1.91 with bet365

Panthers have won the last seven meetings between the teams
Warriors haven’t won a finals match since 2011
Five of Panthers’ last six wins have been by 13+ margins
Panthers’ last four home wins have been by 13+ margins
Warriors’ last two defeats have been by 13+ margins
Eight of the last nine meetings have seen 46 points or less
Brian To’o has scored 12 tries in 10 games at BlueBet Stadium this season
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 19 tries in his last 13 games
Stephen Crichton has scored a try in four of his last five games

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Same Game Multi Tips

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Match Details

🇦🇺 Competition: NRL
🗓 Date: Saturday September 9
⏰ Time: 4.05pm AEST
🏟 Stadium: BlueBet Stadium (Penrith)

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Head to Head

6/5/23: Warriors 6-18 Panthers
26/8/22: Panthers 46-12 Warriors
18/6/22: Warriors 6-40 Panthers
18/7/21: Warriors 16-30 Panthers
14/8/20: Warriors 12-18 Panthers

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction

The Warriors return to the finals for the first time since 2018 and have the toughest test imaginable, facing two-time defending premiers the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday.

Without a finals win since way back in 2011, the Warriors will have to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent finals history if they are advance to the preliminary finals and earn a week off.

It’s obviously been an outstanding season for the Warriors, but I feel like they had a fairly soft draw over the last few months and the decision to rest most of their players last week could come back to bite them.

The Warriors saw their seven-game winning streak snapped 34-10 at the hands of the lowly Dolphins, while they also weren’t convincing in tight wins over the Dragons, Sea Eagles, Tigers and Titans in the month before – all teams that didn’t come close to making the finals.

Meanwhile, the Panthers regained winning momentum after their shock loss to the Eels with a dominant 44-12 victory over the Cowboys at home last week in a game that North Queensland had to win.

It was an intimidating performance and important for the Panthers to show they can still dominate without the injured Jarome Luai, who is doubtful to return for the finals.

VERDICT

The Panthers have won seven straight against the Warriors and should extend that record at the foot of the mountains.

As I mentioned, not convinced by the Warriors and remember some poor performance from earlier in the season against the top teams – including losing at home against a Broncos side without their Origin player and a Rabbitohs team who were downright awful to end the season.

Penrith have all the experience at this level and coming off a huge 32-point victory over arguably a better side last week. Will back the Panthers 13+ at home as they continue their quest for a third straight premiership (Best Panthers 13+ margin odds $1.91 with bet365.)

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors Teams

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Zac Hosking 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Sommerton 21. Luke Garner 22. Thomas Jenkins

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi