Tonight, CUA Stadium, 7.30. What the Panthers say Their tough draw over the closing rounds makes a win here vital. "Because of the run we've got coming in - we've got Manly twice, we've got the Storm, we've got the Warriors away - every two points is vital," said captain Petero Civoniceva. What the Tigers say Coach Tim Sheens has called for more consistency from his playmakers. "The main playmakers who handle the ball the most and make most of the decisions - if they're consistent with their game, then generally the team is," he said. What Prichard says It's a tricky one between two teams in the thick of the battle for the last few places in the finals. Neither team has been able to get on a genuine roll this season. The eighth-placed Panthers have won two, drawn one and lost five of their home games and the 10th-placed Tigers have the best away record (4-4) of any team outside of the top eight. It comes down to a gut feeling and mine is that the Panthers are just a bit better than the Tigers. For the Panthers to win They've got to make their size and experience in the forwards count. The Tigers can be worn down by bigger packs. The lead will no doubt be set by prop Civoniceva, who will hit it up hard and fast early and back it up with quick play-the-balls, and the rest of the forwards have got to follow. For the Tigers to win They must keep their error rate down and not concede too many penalties, because they aren't good enough to overcome playing with 45 per cent of possession against a team like Penrith. If the Tigers are as committed as they were in their loss to Melbourne two rounds back, there is no reason they can't win. But they need to get their playmakers the ball in space in Penrith's half and not rely too much on scoring long-range tries. The X factor The Tigers have many players prepared to run out of dummy-half. It's how they make up for their lack of size, by grabbing easy metres from quick play-the-balls. The Panthers have got to slow the play-the-ball but without conceding penalties. What the bookies say Penrith are slight favourites. Sportsbook.com.au had them at $1.71 and the Tigers at $2.15. In handicap. betting, the points start was just 2.5. Late mail Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson has failed to overcome a calf injury. Tim Moltzen takes his place. Panthers second-rower Frank Pritchard is tipped to overcome a shoulder injury and play. The teams Penrith: Wesser; Coote, Jennings, Tighe, Gordon; Graham, Lewis; Puletua, Priddis, Civoniceva (c), Pritchard, Waterhouse, Smith. Res: Bell, Moors, Blair, Iosefa, Rooney (one to be omitted).

Wests Tigers: Moltzen; Tuiaki, Halatau, Lawrence, Ryan; Marshall, Farah (c); Galloway, Morris, Gibbs, Harrison, Heighington, Fulton. Res: Flanagan, Te'o, Payne, Laurie.