Panthers vs Roosters Predictions: Home comforts can aid Penrith

The NRL play-offs begin on Friday (10:50, Sky Sports Mix) when the Penrith Panthers play host to Sydney Roosters in the second qualifying final at the BlueBet Stadium.

These two teams finished second and third in the standings after the regular season, with just two points separating them, so this promises to be a cracking play-off clash. Read below for my Panthers vs Roosters predictions and all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The Panthers will welcome back their skipper Nathan Cleary for Friday’s big clash, with the Australia halfback fully recovered from his shoulder problem.

Penrith will make a late decision though on the fitness of full-back Dylan Edwards, who is a concern with a knee injury that he has been dealing with for a couple of weeks.

Rugby League Odds

Reports claim the Roosters are sweating on the fitness of Joseph Suaalii, but the centre is expected to feature.

There is some good news, though, for coach Trent Robinson, who is without De La Salle Va’a, Fetalaiga Pauga, and Mark Nawaqanitawase, with Dom Young fit enough to take his place on the wing.

Panthers vs Roosters Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Panthers vs Roosters page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

After finishing above their opponents in the ladder and with home advantage, Penrith Panthers are the 2/5 favourites to collect the victory.

The Sydney Roosters, who won three of their last four regular season games, can be backed at 11/5, with the draw in 80 minutes priced at 20/1.

Handicap 3-way: Penrith -8 @ 21/20

The head-to-head stats show the Roosters have had the edge over the Panthers in the NRL era, with 56 victories to 43.

However, the most recent encounters have been dominated by Penrith, who have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the sides.

That includes a 22-16 success in New South Wales back in March when they ran in four tries in a six-point success at the Allianz Stadium.

In 2023, Penrith ran out 30-6 victors in Sydney and they head into this play-off encounter having scored 52 points across their last two games of the regular season.

Ivan Cleary’s men have lost just three of 12 home games in this campaign, with the only loss since the end of June coming against table-topping Melbourne Storm.

Anytime Try Scorer - Daniel Tupou @ 1/1

The Roosters have claimed more points than any other team during the regular season, with 738 scored in their 24 matches - 46 points ahead of the Storm.

One of the big contributors to that tally is winger Daniel Tupou, who currently sits third in the try scorer standings, having crossed the whitewash 19 times in 21 games played.

Tupou scored the last try in the Sydney meeting back in round four and, having had a break last week, the Australia international will be fresh for Friday’s clash.

The 33-year-old, who extended his Roosters deal to 2026 in July, has already beaten his record for tries in a season, but will have an eye on getting 20+ before the play-offs are completed.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.