The battle of Sydney’s Western suburbs will take place on Saturday night with the struggling Parramatta side hosting an in-form Panthers outfit.
Things go from bad to worse for Parramatta who were dealt their twelfth loss of the season, and their sixth in succession, when belted by Manly 50 – 10 on Monday night.
Part of the fall-out from that loss as been the axing of halfback, Chris Sandow.
There’s little to say about the hapless Eels outfit that have lost their last six matches by an average of 25 points with the only positive being that their three season wins have all been when at home.
In stark contrast, their opponents are flying having won five of their last seven including a thumping win over the Gold Coast last week 40 – 18.
It was the third time this season the Panthers have reached or broken the 40 point mark, one of those occasions coming when these two sides last met in Round 7 (44 – 12).
Penrith recent run of form sees them placed just outside the eight in tenth spot and a win here would see them join Newcastle, Gold Coast, Canberra, Canterbury – and should they lose, Cronulla on 16 competition points.
Parramatta performances at home this year have been their best and this will be their first home game at Parramatta since Round 13 and, embarrassed by their performance on Monday night they should be out to restore some pride and at least be competitive but, without Hayne, Loko, Sandow missing, it is impossible to see anything but a Panthers win here.
Tip: PENRITH 13 +
Odds comparison by NRL Odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Parramatta Eels | 3.05 | 3.40 | 3.50 | 3.10 | 3.05 | 3.07 |
|
Penrith Panthers
|
1.38 | 1.34 | 1.32 | 1.38 | 1.38 | 1.39 |
Teams:
Parramatta Eels:
Jake Mullaney, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Brayden Wiliame, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Daniel Harrison, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Kaysa Pritchard, Peni Terepo, Matt Ryan, Junior Paulo
Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, James Roberts, Brad Tighe, Dean Whare, David Simmons, Isaac John, Luke Walsh, Nigel Plum, Kevin Kingston (c), Tim Grant, Matt Robinson, Lewis Brown, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Cameron Ciraldo, Mose Masoe, Clint Newton, Ryan Simpkins
