Saturday has three NRL matches with the second game for Round 4 is between Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers with the opening kick to commence at 17:30. The game is to be played at Pirtek Stadium with the favourite for the match being (fav). View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers.

WHERE AND WHEN: 17:30 | Saturday 29/03/2014 @ Pirtek Stadium

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Odds Comparison:

Parramatta Eels	2.25	2.15	2.25	2.15	2.25	2.10
Penrith Panthers	1.67	1.72	1.67	1.72	1.67	1.75

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The western Sydney derby is shaping up as a beauty given the results of Penrith this year and the spirited performance from Parramatta last week against the Sea Eagles.

$250 Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers FREE BET

The Eels who were coming off a 52 point drumming by the Roosters, were not given much hope when travelling to Brookvale last week however, the Eels gave the home-side plenty a big scare and four second half tries, saw them take the lead (18 – 16) with only six minutes to play.

The Eels supporters – and bookmakers for that matter, were left gutted though as in the final minute of play, Sea Eagles half Dale Cherry-Evans bombed to the corner where centre Steve Matai scooped up the lose ball to score, resulting in a 22 – 18 loss of the Eels.

It was a loss their effort did not warrant and the long suffering Eels supporters would’ve been happy to see the Eels were committed throughout the game and in attack, keeping the Sea Eagles defence honest and on its toes.

It is imperative this week though that the Eels produce a similar effort and build on last week. With the support of home crowd, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to.

The Panthers have started the season well, a good victory over the Knights in round 1 was followed by a narrow loss to Melbourne in Melbourne and last week, after the siren, they secured victory of the Bulldogs.

Each performance has been very solid from the Panthers, especially the last two given that only one of their first choice halves has been able to start.

For this game, Soward will be joined by Wallace in the halves, giving the Panthers plenty of kicking options which should prove vital in keeping the Eels on the back foot.

Still on kicking, the goal-kicking in an anticipated close game could prove crucial. The Eels have slotted only 5/13 in their three games whilst the Panthers will have the services of regular and accurate goal-kickers Matthew Moylan and Jamie Soward.

The Panthers have won four of their last five matches against the Eels including both games last year and the last two clashes at Parramatta Stadium.

Despite this lob-sided recorded, the Eels are at their best when playing at home and will not have to improve much at all from last week to create plenty of head-aches for their opponents.

Big news for the Eels will be the return of half-back Chris Sandow who has been named in the starting line-up – he is sure to be targeted by the Panthers attack.

Teams:

Parramatta Eels:
Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Nathan Peats, Fuifui Moimoi, Kenny Edwards, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Mitch Allgood, David Gower
Ins: Ken Sio, Chris Sandow, David Gower
Outs: Vai Toutai, Luke Kelly (both dropped), Ben Smith (finger, round six)
Other unavailables: Darcy Lussick (suspension, round seven), Jacob Loko (knee, indefinite), Lee Mossop (shoulder, mid-season), Api Pewhairangi (ankle, round five)

Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, Kevin Naiqama, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, David Simmons, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Nigel Plum, Kevin Kingston, Sam McKendry, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Jeremy Latimore, Tyrone Peachey, Tim Grant
Ins: Peter Wallace
Outs: Isaac John (dropped)
Other unavailables: Josh Mansour (hamstring, round five), Brent Kite (calf, round six), George Jennings (dislocated elbow, round six), Sika Manu (shoulder, round five)

News:

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary hailed third-choice goalkicker Matt Moylan after the young fullback held his nerve to seal a last-gasp 18-16 NRL win over Canterbury on Saturday.

Moylan bisected the posts from the left sideline with the final play of the game after Kevin Naiqama had danced his way over the line following Jamie Soward’s fine cut-out pass.

Canterbury looked to have won the game with two quickfire tries in the final quarter through Corey Thompson and Drury Low only to let the Panthers back in following back-to-back penalties.

It was the second week in succession the Panthers have had decisive kicks on the siren, but Moylan managed to do what Peter Wallace couldn’t against Melbourne seven days earlier.

Cleary revealed local junior Moylan only knew he’d be kicking just hours before kick-off after Wallace was ruled out with an injured groin and Soward still getting over the effects of a stiff back.

“I have to give (kicking coach) Daryl Halligan a rap, he rang me in the week and told me Matt was kicking well and would be ready if needed,” Cleary said.

“We didn’t know for sure Wallace wouldn’t be playing until midday … but Matty really wanted to do it and that is always a good sign.

“It’s hard when you are the second or third-choice kicker. But he wants to be a kicker and he got his opportunity today and he was on the money.”

Moylan rated his kick as one of the high points of his short career and said he always fancied making himself a hero in front of his home crowd, despite Panthers skipper Kevin Kingston revealing the team had already got ready for a Bulldogs kick-off.

“When you’re young you want to kick one of those chances,” Moylan said.

“I’ve kicked for most of my career and there have been a few of us working with Daryl Halligan who helped us improve getting good contact on the ball.

“Today is certainly up there with the best moments in my career.”

Cleary expects Wallace to play against Parramatta next Saturday but said it would be hard to take the kicking tee away from his young fullback.

“‘Wally’ literally did it (the injury) with his last kick at training,” Cleary said.

“He was half a chance today so it’s not too bad. Hats off to Issac John who popped in (at halfback) and did a good job.

“That’s been our third halves pairing in three games; it’s good when your back-ups do well.”

Canterbury coach Des Hasler did well to control his emotions after the game after his side tossed away a hard-earned two points.

“I’m not shattered, I am frustrated,” Hasler said.

“In the first half they laid all over us and milked the ruck but the penalty count ended up at 5-0 at halftime.

“We couldn’t get off our line and had no possession.

“But after a bit more possession in the second half … we had the game won. We had the game in the bag.”