Saturday’s only NRL Round 18 match is between Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers with the opening kick to commence at 5.30pm local time. The game is to be played at Parramatta Stadium with the away team Penrith Panthers hold favouritism in the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers.

Parramatta Stadium

Saturday, 5.30pm

Parramatta Eels $3.05 vs Penrith Panthers $1.38 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Parramatta Eels $3.50 vs Penrith Panthers $1.32 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

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

Preview:

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.

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

Stuart drops Sandow in Eels NRL shakeup

Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart on Tuesday dumped halfback Chris Sandow to the NSW Cup after the Eels humiliating 50-10 defeat by Manly.

Parramatta face Penrith at home on Saturday night, but Sandow will not be running out, playing instead for Wentworthville in the curtain raiser.

He will be joined by five-eighth Joseph Paulo, with Ben Roberts and Luke Kelly pairing up in the halves to play the Panthers.

Last year, Sandow was also dropped by then coach Stephen Kearney.

In brighter news for the Eels, Willie Tonga will make his long-awaited return from injury against Penrith after undergoing back surgery at the start of this season.

Tonga will be a welcome addition in the centres with Jacob Loko being injured in the Monday night thrashing by Manly.

Apart from Kelly, Mat Ryan and Junior Paulo will also return to first grade.

Veteran lock Dallas Johnson has paid the price for North Queensland’s faltering NRL campaign, with under siege coach Neil Henry naming a new-look pack for Monday night’s tussle with Manly.

While State of Origin commitments have also played a role, six losses from their past eight games have finally taken the toll, with Johnson the highest-profile casualty.

Not one member of the starting pack from the loss to Canberra last Sunday will start against the Sea Eagles, with Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo and Joel Riethmuller to form a youthful back-row.

Ray Thompson moves from hooker to replace the Origin-committed Johnathan Thurston, while Matt Bowen is an unlikely starter despite returning to full training this week.

“Matthew hasn’t done any ball work, contact work or a lot of agility,” coach Henry told the Cowboys website.

“My best guess would be that he’ll be right for the game after the bye.

“He’d have to be confident in his own mind that he can sprint, change direction and do all those sorts of things.”

The Sea Eagles pulled a surprise by naming Peta Hiku in the No.7 jumper with Daly Cherry-Evans on Origin duty.

Brisbane have reshuffled their backline with Corey Norman moving to fullback and Josh Hoffman into the centres for Friday night’s meeting with Cronulla.

The Sharks have Michael Gordon back at fullback after Stewart Mills endured a tough night against Wests Tigers, while Mark Taufua comes onto the bench for NSW prop Andrew Fifita.