Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters Prediction, Tips & Odds

The minor premiership could be decided in this 1 v 2 showdown at CommBank Stadium.  

FORM: The Panthers have now lost four of their last seven, following up a big win over Canberra with a convincing 28-12 defeat to the Warriors.  

The Roosters have won eight straight, coming from 10 points down to see off the Bulldogs 20-18 last Friday.  

INS AND OUTS: Lindsay Smith moves to lock, and Liam Henry comes in at prop with Isaah Yeo sidelined for Penrith. Jack Cogger lines up at five-eighth after being a late scratching last week, while Dylan Edwards has been named in the reserves. James Tedesco returns for the Roosters.  

KEY MATCH-UP: It’s an Origin rematch as Nathan Cleary squares off against Sam Walker.  

HISTORY: The Panthers have won 12 of their last 13 against the Roosters, including a 40-4 rout in Round 3 this season.  

KEY STAT: The Panthers have scored 30-plus points in eight of their last 11 games against the Roosters.  

VERDICT: The favourites to meet in the grand final in seven weeks’ time, there’s plenty at stake with the winner likely to take out the minor premiership and the loser potentially facing a qualifying final trip to Auckland.  

The Panthers have had a rough run and will be smarting from getting ambushed by the Warriors, but there’s arguably more pressure on the Roosters to buck the trend of horrendous results against the era’s preeminent team.  

The Roosters remain unproven in heavyweight duels – though last week was a step in the right direction – and the Panthers look good value as a very narrow favourite.  

Prediction: Back the Panthers to Win @ $1.77 

SGM: PANTHERS BY 1-12 / UNDER 42.5 TOTAL POINTS / TOM JENKINS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ROBERT TOIA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $31.56