NRL Round 3 Best Bets - Can the Panthers and Warriors stay perfect in the NRL?

Best bets and insight for the third round of the NRL season as a string of teams try to maintain their perfect records at the top of the ladder. 

The Sydney Roosters eased to a comeback win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their last game as they secured a 26-18 triumph. This victory came on the back of a stunning 42-18 loss to New Zealand Warriors, with this previously extending their losing run to four matches across competitions. Their win last week was crucial as they look to excel this season. The worry for the Roosters will be that they have lost 12 of their last 13 against the Panthers in a woeful run of form that looks set to continue. 

The Penrith Panthers have put on a defensive clinic in their opening two games of the new NRL season. A 26-0 win over the Brisbane Broncos in game one was quickly followed by a 26-6 win over the Cronulla Sharks. Having won their last five against the Roosters when playing away from home, I am backing the Panthers to ease to another impressive win. 

The Newcastle Knights have looked very impressive across the start of the new season, with the side winning their opening two with a winning margin of 10 points or more, with their 36-16 win over Manly Sea Eagles was an impressive result. While the Sea Eagles are yet to win in the NRL this term, an away win in the competition is always impressive. 

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Warriors come into this one on the back of a dominant 40-6 win over the Canberra Raiders. This followed on from a 42-18 win over the Sydney Roosters in their opener, with the Warriors moving up to second on the ladder, denied top spot only by a slightly inferior goal difference to the Storm. This weekend, the Warriors will target securing their first away win of the season, but I worry for the side. They may have won their last two against the Knights, but they have lost four of their last five on the road against their hosts. With this in mind, I predict a tough outing for the Warriors.