NRL Round 7 Best Bets - Panthers to return to winning ways in the NRL

Few saw the Panthers slipping to a truly stunning 32-16 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs in their last game as they saw their perfect start to the season brought to a grinding halt. Prior to this, the Panthers had accounted for the Broncos, Sharks, Roosters, Eels and Storm, with their hopes of moving clear at the summit likely to be realised. However, their loss to the Bulldogs will have every side fully aware of the fact that the feeling of invincibility surrounding the Panthers is now gone. 

While the Dolphins will hope to turn one loss for the Panthers into two, I do not see them stunning their opponents. The Panthers beat the Broncos 26-0 on the road before hammering the Roosters 40-4 away from home. With the chance to bounce back from their defeat on the road to the Bulldogs now here, I back the Panthers to easily win this one. 

The Gold Coast Titans have been inconsistent across their opening six matches, with two wins coming along with four defeats. In their last three, the Titans have secured two wins and a single defeat, with the side in fairly good form. However, their three defeats to the Dolphins, Cowboys and Broncos shows that there is a soft underbelly to this Titans side. Already six points short of the summit and four points behind their opponents, the Titans need to find consistency when it comes to wining if they are to challenge for a top spot.

The Warriors eased to a 32-18 win over their opponents when they battled last season, with this ending a run of three consecutive wins for the Titans. With the Warriors boasting home advantage and enjoying a solid start to the season, I am backing the Titans to slip to a defeat.