Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels Betting Analysis & Prediction

The Western Sydney Derby highlights the NRL round 9 schedule as the 8-0 Penrith Panthers try to stay undefeated up against the 5-3 Parramatta Eels. The Eels have had a solid season so far, but Penrith is nearly unbeatable at BlueBet Stadium, winning 21 straight on their home turf. 

Parramatta comes into Friday’s match in a bit of disarray after a 35-4 loss to North Queensland last weekend. The Cowboys are having a great year at 5-3, but if they can do that to the Eels what does that mean for Penrith’s chances in this meeting? The Panthers have won four straight in this head to head matchup. Rugby betting is a great way to test if the Panthers can continue this win streak. 

Panthers vs Eels Stats

Not many teams can touch the scoring output of Melbourne this NRL season, but Penrith comes close. The Panthers are second behind the Storm with 238 points, also second in tries (39) and goals (37). Penrith meets 7-1 Melbourne next weekend, so the Panthers could be in the dangerous look ahead spot on Friday. 

Parramatta was looking ahead to the West Sydney Derby last week as they failed to show up in the 35-4 loss to the Cowboys. The four points scored was a season low for the Eels, who have been the third highest scoring team in the NRL this year with 213 points, 36 tries, and 34 goals. 

Panthers Stats

Home cooking has been nice for Penrith as they haven’t lost at BlueBet Stadium since July of 2019. The Panthers will try for their 22nd straight home win on Friday, which would also be their fifth in a row against the Eels. Penrith absolutely wants to go into next weekend’s match with Melbourne having their undefeated streak still intact, trying to build momentum for a second straight Grand Final win. 

They haven’t shown to need it yet, but reinforcements are arriving for Penrith as Brian To’o (ankle) and Moses Leota (shoulder) are expected back in the lineup on Friday. They’ll both remain in the reserves (although To’o could start) the time being, but that only adds to the Panthers’ depth. 

Nathan Cleary continues to pace the Panthers with 52 points, fourth most in the NRL. The Penrith offense did look a bit sluggish last round in an 18-4 win over Gold Coast, the lowest scoring output of the year so far for the Panthers. Even so it was a win, and in the process Penrith became the first team in premiership history to start 8-0 in consecutive seasons. 

Eels Stats

Controversy has surrounded Parramatta this week following the devastating loss to North Queensland last round. Coach Brad Arthur has found himself in the news with claims of nepotism after selecting his teenage son Jake at five-eight. What many fans failed to realize is that Arthur made the move out of necessity, as Parramatta is battling some serious injury woes right now. 

rugby betting predictions have good news for the Eels and they should be getting Tom Opacic back from injury vs. the Panthers, That should allow Dylan Brown to move back to the halves, and out of the centres where he hadn’t played prior to this season. 

What remains as a fight the Eels have to overcome is the trip to BlueBet Stadium where opponents have fallen in 21 straight games. What Parramatta should take some solace in is the fact that they played Penrith very well last year in the NRL semi finals before falling 8-6 as the Panthers went on to win the premiership. 

Panthers vs Eels Betting Trends

• Both teams have an 81% completion rate which is top in the NRL
• Penrith has won 24 of the 45 head to head meetings 

Panthers vs Eels Picks

Rugby betting picks have faith but can Parramatta carry over the momentum they gained from playing Penrith tight during last year’s Final 8 tournament? The Eels looked horrible last week against North Queensland, but are also a talented team that handed Melbourne their only loss of the season 28-24 in round three. 

The Eels’ Mitchell Moses is the 2nd leading scorer in the NRL behind Ryan Papenhuyzen of Melbourne. His battle against Parramatta’s Cleary will be one to watch. 

Penrith is -455 on the moneyline as they put their home winning streak on the line. rugby betting odds has the Panthers winning this. The spread has the Panthers as -12.5 favorites, but even though the Western Sydney Derby is a big matchup, one has to wonder how much Penrith is looking ahead to their round 10 meeting with second place Melbourne? 

Conclusion

This is a huge matchup for Parramatta, and although they may not pull all the way through with the upset at BlueBet Stadium, the Eels can definitely keep this one within the 12.5 point spread. 

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