Penrith Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 9 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 7:55 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday May 6, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Where: Penrith Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels Odds
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels Preview
Penrith has rolled on to an 8-0 record, though Gold Coast restricted the champs to their lowest score of the season in a hard-fought 18-4 result.
It was just the second time the Panthers have failed to cover this season with Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo deemed the best on ground.
This week the Panthers face a team with a winning record for the first time since their Round 3 defeat of a 12-man Newcastle.
But Parramatta is coming off a low base courtesy of a pancake-flat 35-4 loss to North Queensland in Darwin last week.
Will Penisini and Ryan Matterson both ran for over 200 metres, but the Eels were otherwise outmuscled by a hungry Cowboys outfit and capitulated late with three tries conceded in the last six minutes.
Tom Opacic’s return from injury allows coach Arthur to restore Dylan Brown to the five-eighth spot, with Jake Arthur somewhat mercifully slipping back into the reserves contingent.
Penrith has won eight of the last 11 derbies against Parramatta – including the last four straight. But their most recent clash was a dramatic, gruelling semi-final, with the Panthers hanging on for an 8-6 win in Mackay.
The resolve the blue-and-golds showed that night has only been present in dribs and drabs in 2022, however.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have been incredibly ruthless – averaging just 11 points against them per game – and should be especially keyed up for a clash with their fierce neighbouring rivals after several weeks of picking apart also-rans.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.22 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Charlie Staines at $8.25.
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels Teams
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Moses Leota 23. Mitch Kenny 24. Brian To’o
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Wiremu Greig 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Mitch Rein 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Samuel Loizou 23. Elie El Zakhem 24. Sean Russell