Panthers v Eels NRL preview & betting picks | Round 2, 2024

Panthers v Eels best bets

Penrith v Parramatta match preview

Friday night NRL action wraps up in Penrith with a blockbuster clash between the Panthers and the Parramatta Eels.

The Panthers lost their first match of the season to the Storm in Melbourne and risk losing their second match against the Eels, their Achilles heel of recent years in the NRL. Meanwhile, the visitors recorded a commanding victory in round one over the Bulldogs in Parramatta and will be even more determined to keep winning on Friday.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has named halfback Mitchell Moses to start after he suffered a groin injury on Saturday against the Bulldogs, and no specialist halfback has been named on the extended bench as a potential replacement. The rest of the side remains unchanged.

The Panthers will welcome premiership-winning hooker Mitchell Kenny back into the starting side, along with starting second-rower Scott Sorenson. This has pushed Luke Garner back to the interchange bench and Luke Sommerton out of the squad.

Penrith v Parramatta betting predictions

The Eels have won three of their last five matches against the Panthers; however, the three-time defending premiers will be expected to win their first home game of the season, especially given they have won five of their last six matches in New South Wales by 13 or more points. With the return of Kenny and Sorenson to the starting line-up, the Panthers should be able to bounce back and secure victory by at least a baker’s dozen (+160).

Sorenson will be returning on Penrith’s left edge, where he will be tasked with targeting Eels halfback Moses in defence. Moses appeared to struggle through the match with the Bulldogs in round one, and on Friday night against the Panthers with Sorenson in the side, defending will not get any easier. Expect the Panthers to target Moses in defence and Sorenson to score a try at any time, which is offering good value at +440 with the top NRL betting sites.

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