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Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers Tips & Preview - Can the Eels save their season in NRL?

By Ryan Tucker

21 Mar 2023

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Ryan Tucker 21 Mar 2023

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Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers tips for Thursday's NRL Round 4 match (09:00 GMT)
60% of NRL games since 2019 have finished with 39 or more points
Can the Eels get their season back on track against the defending premiers?

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Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels clash on Thursday night (Getty Images)

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers Predictions

Parramatta are 0-3 after arguably the toughest draw to start the 2023 season. It doesn't get any easier this week coming up against the reigning premiers Penrith, who are short favourites to prolong the Eels losing streak.

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers Predictions
Head to Head
Parramatta Eels Form
Parramatta Eels Team News
Parramatta Eels Team List
Penrith Panthers Form
Penrith Panthers Team News
Penrith Panthers Team List

If the Eels are to have any chance of making the top 8 they will need to win this game. I am following the predictive model and tipping them to keep the game close and cover the 8.5 points.

The premiers are 6-4 in grand final replays since 2012. Penrith have won their previous two grand final replays, first as runners-up then as premiers.
In Grand Final replays, the runner-up from the previous year has covered in 3 of the last 4 games
3 of the last 4 Grand Final replays, as well as both regular season games between Panthers & Eels in 2022, have gone over the total.
The last regular season game these two teams played the Eels were 8.5 point underdogs and won the game 34-10

Head to Head

Parramatta won both regular season games in 2022 but then went on to lose both finals including the Grand Final.

Parramatta are the only team to have beaten the Panthers twice in one season (2022) over the past three years.

Regular season games are 4-4 since 2019. With Finals included Parramatta are 4-7.

Parramatta Eels Form

Parramatta are 0-3 and struggling for defensive form to start the 2023 season.

They have conceded the most points total and second most on average over the first three rounds.

They are sixth in the league in points scored which shows that their attacking form is still very good.

If Brad Arthur can stem the flow of tries in defence then the Eels will start to string together some wins.

Parramatta Eels Team News

Ryan Matterson returns from suspension and will slot straight into the starting line up.

Matt Doorey moves to the bench to make way for Matterson and Jack Murchie (concussion) is out.

Brendan Hands will make his NRL debut from the bench with Jirah Momoisea dropping out of the 17.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is free to play after taking an early guilty plea to a shoulder charge and receiving a $3000 fine.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisini

4. Waqa Blake

5. Bailey Simonsson

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Josh Hodgson

10. Junior Paulo

11. Bryce Cartwright

12. Ryan Matterson

13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange

14. Matt Doorey

15. Brendan Hands

16. Wiremu Greig

17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves

18. Jake Arthur

19. Jirah Momoisea

20. Ofahiki Ogden

21. Toni Mataele

22. Haze Dunster

Penrith Panthers Form

The Panthers had the week off in round 3 and they have won five of their last six games following a bye.

Penrith were able to secure the win over South Sydney in round 2 16-10, boasting 42 tackle breaks

Penrith Panthers Team News

Scott Sorensen returns from a stint on the sidelines following a round 1 head knock. Matt Eisenhuth drops back to the reserves in the only change for the defending premiers.

Penrith Panthers Team List

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Izack Tago

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Brian To'o

6. Jarome Luai

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. James Fisher-Harris

11. Luke Garner

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange

14. Soni Luke

15. Scott Sorensen

16. Spencer Leniu

17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves

18. Matt Eisenhuth

19. Zac Hosking

20. Tyrone Peachey

21. Jack Cogger

22. Tom Jenkins

Verdict

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers

Despite their losing run the Eels attack has been firing and they can put points on any team. I am tipping them to keep the scores close and cover the 8.5 points whilst doing their bit to take the total over.

Eels +8.5

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